Miami, August 9, 2017 – Miami Dade College (MDC) has been selected as a national finalist for 2017 Examples of Excelencia, an initiative honoring America’s top programs that increase academic opportunities and increase achievement for Latino students.
Started in 2005, Excelencia in Education is the only national initiative to systematically identify and promote evidence-based programs and departments effectively boosting Latino enrollment, performance and graduation.
This year’s 19 finalists were selected from among 161 programs from 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia nominated in four categories: associates degree, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, and community-based organization.
“By increasing awareness of these programs, Excelencia in Education is generating new energy and inspiring a network of action-oriented leaders to discover and implement innovations that are effective with Latino and other post-traditional students,” said Sarita Brown, Excelencia in Education president. “You can count on us to continue inspiring, informing and supporting the recognition and replication of evidence-based practices that serve both Latino students and the entire nation.”
The national announcement of the 2017 Examples of Excelencia will be made in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 5 at the Mayflower Hotel at the annual Celebración de Excelencia. To learn more please visit: www.EdExcelencia.org/2017.
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia is building a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s need for a highly-educated workforce and engaged civic leadership. For more information, visit www.EdExcelencia.org.
Miami Dade College is the nation’s largest, campus-based institution of higher education with an enrollment of more than 165,000 students. It is also the nation’s top producer of Associate in Arts and Science degrees and awards more degrees to minorities than any other college or university in the country. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 300 distinct degree pathways including several baccalaureate degrees in education, public safety, supervision and management, nursing, physician assistant studies, film, engineering, and others. In fact, its academic and workforce training programs are national models of excellence. MDC is also renowned for its rich cultural programming. It is home of the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the MDC Live! Performing Arts Series, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, a sculpture park and a large art gallery and theater system. MDC has admitted more than 2,000,000 students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960.