This year, the College hosted three distinguished speakers: Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas; FIFA President Gianni Infantino; and Orlando Bravo, founder and managing partner of Thoma Bravo. The College also conferred an honorary degree on David Grutman, a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Groot Hospitality, whose dynamic and inventive restaurants and nightclubs have helped shape the global hospitality landscape.
MDC’s Class of 2026 reflects the country’s rich cultural tapestry. Graduates represent 120 nations and 23 languages. They include students at different stages of life, many of whom came from abroad to pursue their dreams in MDC’s classrooms. Among them are heads of household, dual enrollment students and many who are the first in their families to attend college. Their fields of study are as diverse as their backgrounds, ranging from entrepreneurship and nursing to engineering, science and business, positioning them to make an impact in their communities and beyond.
“The extraordinary Class of 2026 reflects the very essence of Miami Dade College as Democracy’s College — an institution grounded in access, opportunity and the belief that education transforms lives,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “I am incredibly proud of our graduates, whose resilience, determination and diversity defined this moment. Their achievements demonstrated not only academic excellence, but also the strength of a community committed to lifting one another and building a brighter future for all.”
The College graduated 312 veterans, 326 Honors College students and 411 students from the School for Advanced Studies. Among scholarship recipients were 1,857 American Dream Scholars, 157 Presidential Scholars and 65 Rising Scholars.
The 2026 commencement also marked a significant milestone with the graduation of the inaugural cohort from Miami Tech at Mater Innovation Academy. This innovative high school, located at Wolfson Campus, provides students with direct access to advanced technology programs aligned with high-demand careers in computer programming, software development and cloud computing. Through a unique dual-enrollment model, students engage with college faculty while earning an Associate in Science degree in cloud computing or computer programming–mobile applications, along with industry-recognized certifications. Among the inaugural graduates celebrating this achievement were Paola Camargo, Alonzo Izzo, Kevin Roteda, Lucas Solis, Fermin Marquina and Carlos Viada-Coroba, who now join the growing pipeline of skilled tech talent prepared to contribute to South Florida’s evolving digital economy.
Amid this year’s graduates were several remarkable stories that illustrated the spirit of MDC:
The Lawson family
Irving, Joycelyn and their daughters, Lee-Yahna and Jovi-Ana, embodied perseverance, faith and a shared commitment to education. Originally from Jamaica, each family member pursued a unique academic path while supporting one another. Irving, a cybersecurity student and pastor at the Church of God of Prophecy, balanced his studies with ministry, driven by a desire to better provide for his family. Joycelyn, a nursing student, pursued her education with determination and a passion for service, planning to continue her studies after graduation. Their daughters also distinguished themselves: Lee-Yahna, a business administration student and Presidential Scholar, prepared to transfer to Florida Atlantic University with aspirations in fintech compliance, while Jovi-Ana, a nursing student, focused on combining health care with entrepreneurship. Together, they remained deeply involved in their community through the Love Fellowship Community Outreach Ministry, and commencement marked a shared milestone celebrating their resilience and unity. Watch the NBC6 news report.
Students Accepted Into MIT
A group of exceptional students exemplified academic excellence, leadership and innovation in STEM fields, earning admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the most prestigious universities in the world. David Amador, a mechanical engineering student and president of the Makers Club at the Wolfson Campus, led initiatives for more than 50 members while contributing to advanced projects including a Formula SAE electric car, wind turbine research and a NASA Human Lander Challenge. He also earned top recognition for his research analyzing precipitation data at Miami International Airport. Originally from Valencia, Venezuela, his global experiences shaped his goal of advancing renewable energy technologies. Fellow mechanical engineering student David Alejandro Ramirez Nuñez (read the Miami Herald story), distinguished himself through advanced research in algebraic topology, lattice theory and subspace coding, with multiple publications and international conference presentations, while demonstrating leadership in organizations such as Math4U and SHPE. Originally from Cuba, he immigrated alone at 17 and overcame significant challenges in pursuit of his academic ambitions. Diego Hernandez Barreras, a chemistry student from Cuba and gold medalist at the Iberoamerican Chemistry Olympiad, supported hundreds of students as an organic chemistry tutor and conducted interdisciplinary research spanning machine learning and materials science. Mayte Alvarez Trimino, a physics student also from Cuba, conducted research in solar plasma physics, presented her findings at national conferences and mentored first-generation and immigrant students through a cohort she founded.
The Escobar Brothers
Aaron (33), Joel (29) and Yosef (24) offered another powerful example of perseverance and family support. Homeschooled and part of the Honors College, the siblings graduated together despite significant age differences, each pursuing a distinct academic path. Originally from Camagüey, Cuba, Aaron, the eldest, largely educated himself while overcoming financial hardship and limited access to formal schooling, later emerging as a campus leader and researcher in computer science. Joel applied the discipline of homeschooling to his studies in psychology, dedicating extensive time to mentorship and service initiatives while developing creative skills aligned with his career goals. Yosef, the youngest, built a strong foundation in technology and leadership, supporting community members through tech programs and developing creative digital content. Together, they demonstrated how resilience, independent learning and strong family bonds led to shared academic success.
Maite Cáceres
Maite Cáceres, a 23-year-old business administration student from Uruguay, balanced her academic journey with a professional racing career. Coming from a family deeply rooted in motorsports, she pursued racing from an early age and competed professionally with the Rafa Racing team while completing her studies at MDC. The College’s flexibility and supportive environment allowed her to advance both academically and professionally as she prepared to transfer to Florida International University.
Posthumous Degrees Honor Bryan Alexander Ramirez and Brittney Estrada
During the 2026 commencement ceremonies, MDC also conferred a posthumous Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management to the family of Bryan Alexander Ramirez and a posthumous College Credit Certificate in Medical Assisting to the parents of Brittney Estrada, honoring their dedication, perseverance, and aspirations.