Miami, Nov. 30, 2022 – Twenty-five Miami Dade College (MDC) students will finish the year with their first U.S. passport in hand, which they will receive free of charge as part of the College’s participation in the Institute of International Education (IIE) American Passport Project. The program is facilitated by MDC’s Office of International Education.
“This is a life-changing opportunity for our students, to gain a global perspective and access to the academic and career benefits of international experiences while completing a college credential at MDC,” said MDC’s Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Malou C. Harrison.
MDC was the only Florida higher learning institution selected to receive this grant in April. Since then, the Office of International Education at MDC has been hard at work assisting students in all aspects of the application process, from recruiting to approvals. Of the 25 participating students, most have already received their passports and the others are expected to get them in December.
“This project also serves as an example of how MDC is enhancing pathways and access to opportunities for first-generation students. It’s an important mission of the College to expand diversity, equity, access and inclusion for all students,” said Samila Sosic, Executive Director of International Education at MDC.
The IIE American Passport Project provides grants to U.S. colleges and universities to help students eligible for Pell Grants obtain a U.S. passport. The grant was first launched in the spring of 2021 and is currently in its second cycle. Eligibility is limited to students in their first year at the institution to ensure they have ample time to receive help from advisors to map out a study abroad plan. Each cycle, IIE selects 40 eligible U.S. institutions to receive the grant to support 25 students from their campus.
Established in 1919, the Institute of International Education (IIE) is a global not-for-profit that designs and implements international education strategies and program services. They work with governments, policymakers, educators, and employers across the globe to prepare students and professionals for the global workforce. With support from donors, they also create initiatives that assist students, scholars, and artists whose lives and work are threatened; expand teaching and learning across cultures; and provide opportunities to underserved populations. For more information, please visit, https://www.iie.org.