Miami, Sept. 12, 2024 – Miami Dade College (MDC) has signed a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to offer MDC courses and student services to Tribal members and employees on the Miccosukee Reserved Area, starting next Spring.
“We are proud to partner with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida in this historic agreement to expand the reach of MDC’s innovative programs and stellar services,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “With our commitment to enhancing access to education and fostering academic excellence across our South Florida community, we thank Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Chairman Talbert Cypress for his support in making this transformative partnership possible.”
Courses will be coordinated through MDC West Campus in Doral and available in-person and via MDC Live. MDC will provide tutoring and support services such as admissions, registration, and advisement as well as provide testing for placement, course exams and certification assessments on the Miccosukee Reserved Area. In addition, MDC’s Idea Center will offer credit, non-credit courses, workshops, and wrap-around services to Tribal members to support entrepreneurship and innovation.
As part of the MOU, the Miccosukee Tribe will provide use of educational facilities such as classrooms, conference rooms, lab spaces, media center, gymnasium, access to office space for faculty, instructional assistants and tutors. The Tribe will cover in-state tuition, fees, supplies and books costs for all Tribal members who enroll at the College.
“This collaboration between Miami Dade College and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida promises to close a gap to educational access by connecting Tribal youth with opportunities for academic advancement, in the Everglades and beyond. This agreement makes available higher education access for and support for our citizens living on traditional lands, and promises to greatly enrich the diversity of the Miami Dade College student body,” said Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Chairman Talbert Cypress.
About the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida is a federally recognized Tribal nation based in the Everglades. The Tribe has remained in the Everglades since fighting a four-decade-long guerilla war in order to avoid removal west of the Mississippi River. The Tribe operates various enterprises, including Miccosukee Casino & Resort, Miccosukee Golf & Country Club, Miccosukee Indian Village, and Little Trail Casino located at the Miccosukee Service Plaza.
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the most diverse institution in the nation, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer over 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize. The College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. It is home to the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, two AI Centers, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation at the Medical Campus, the Business Innovation & Technology Center, the School for Advanced Studies and New World School of the Arts, among others. MDC has been recognized among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College serves as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. MDC alumni and employees contribute more than $3 billion annually to the local economy, and graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC’s renowned rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, and the Museum of Art and Design. MDC has admitted more than 2.5 million students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. Approximately 120,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Media Contact: Edward Randall Ornstein, 305-223-8380, Ext. 5211, EdwardO@miccosukeetribe.com.