Miami, March 22, 2021 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) West Campus President Dr. Beverly Moore-Garcia will receive the Paragon Award for New Presidents during the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) Catalyst 2021 annual convention that will be broadcast live from Orlando, Florida April 8-10. She was nominated by West Campus PTK students.
“I am so proud of our students and honored to receive this award,” Dr. Moore-Garcia said. “I am especially touched that in a year when so many students were dealing with the impacts of COVID-19, they took time to submit a nomination.”
The Paragon Award is presented to up to 25 new college presidents who have demonstrated strong support of student success by recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and service among high-achieving students at their college. The West Campus PTK chapter was established three years ago and has reached a five-star ranking. It has also been named a 2021 REACH Chapter for its excellence in membership development. PTK students have a 91 percent student success rate, and research has shown that strong presidential leadership and support increases member success and the depth of their college experience.
The Paragon Award marks a special accomplishment for Dr. Moore-Garcia. As a proud first-generation college student, she knows educational opportunities can change lives. Since her arrival at MDC, Dr. Moore-Garcia has been committed to increasing student agency and to supporting students to design their own futures. She holds two bachelor’s degree in psychology, two master’s degrees in school psychology and international development education and a doctorate in higher education.