MIAMI, FL (May 13, 2026) – The Miami Dade College (MDC) Foundation (MDCF) proudly announces its newest class of inductees, who will receive one of the college’s highest honors at its annual Alumni Hall of Fame celebration. Each year, the MDC Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes graduates whose professional achievements, leadership, and service reflect the transformative impact of an MDC education. The newest class will be formally recognized at the MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on June 5 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, where College leadership, alumni, community leaders, and public officials will gather to celebrate their extraordinary achievements.
Since 2003, more than 400 MDC alumni have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments. The inductees represent a remarkable cross-section of professions, spanning public service, innovation, business leadership, community safety, education, healthcare and more. Each honoree brings a distinct and compelling story of impact.
“Our inductees’ accomplishments demonstrate the power of education to create opportunity and drive positive change,” said Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega. “We’re proud to recognize this remarkable group of alumni whose leadership and service continue to inspire our students and strengthen the communities they serve.”
The newest class of Hall of Fame inductees includes:
- Business – Bernie Navarro, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Peru, U.S. Department of State
- Education – Historian – Dr. Paul S. George, Resident Historian, HistoryMiami Museum
- Entrepreneurship – Joshua Pascual, Owner, Josh’s Premium Meats
- Hospitality – Emilio Cabrera, McDonald’s Franchise Owner, EC Management Corp.
- Law – Beatriz Azcuy, Managing Partner, Miami Office, Sidley Austin LLP
- Non-Profit – Kamila Pritchett, President & CEO, The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc.
- Philanthropy – Silvia Rios Fortun, President of Guardian Angels, Jackson Health System Foundation
- Public Safety – Fire – Fernando Gomez, Chief Fire Officer, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
- Public Service – Senator René García, County Commissioner District 13, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners
- Real Estate – Nestor J. Machado, President, Cawy Management Corp.
- Sports – Francisco J. Martin, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, University of Massachusetts
- Technology – Ernesto Arguello, Co-founder and Co-CEO, CanWe app by Social Navigation Society
“Each year, the Hall of Fame is a powerful reminder of the impact our alumni have across industries and throughout our community,” said Jorge Plasencia, Chair of the Miami Dade College Foundation Board. “This year’s inductees truly demonstrate how education can open doors, create opportunity and drive change.”
For more information on the MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and sponsorship opportunities for the event honoring the newest class, visit: LINK
Press contact: Lesli Franco, lfranco@oandgpr.com or Rachel Nehring, rnehring@oandgpr.com at O’Connell & Goldberg Public Relations.
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About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College is the most diverse institution in the nation, with students from 167 countries and 63 languages represented. Its eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 305 degree pathways, including associate and bachelor’s degrees, certifications, and apprenticeships. MDC is home to nationally recognized programs and centers, such as the Miami Culinary Institute, The Idea Center, AI Centers, and New World School of the Arts. The College’s rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, Freedom Tower, Live Arts Miami, Koubek Center, and MOAD. Since its founding in 1960, MDC has welcomed more than 2.5 million students. Approximately 125,000 students are currently enrolled. Visit mdc.edu to learn more.
About the Miami Dade College Foundation
Founded in 1965, Miami Dade College Foundation raises essential private funds to support scholarships, academic programs and wraparound support so MDC students have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. MDC Foundation also supports world-class arts and cultural programming at MDC, enriching the community. In 2025-2026, MDC Foundation distributed nearly $35 million to benefit the students and programs of MDC. Known as Democracy’s College, MDC changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences that prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. MDC is the nation’s most diverse institution of higher education with an enrollment of more than 125,000 students and more than two million alumni. 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. For more information visit foundation.mdc.edu.