New articulation agreement will create a bachelor’s degree pathway and scholarship opportunities for MDC fashion graduates, as part of Istituto Marangoni Miami’s continued expansion of academic partnerships across South Florida
MIAMI, Fla. — October 7, 2026 — Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Miami Fashion Institute (MFI) and Istituto Marangoni Miami (IMM) have entered into an articulation agreement that creates a bachelor’s degree pathway for MDC fashion graduates and introduces new scholarship opportunities to support their continued education. An MOU signing ceremony between MDC President Madeline Pumariega and IMM President Hakan Baykam will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, at MDC’s Miami Fashion Institute in downtown Miami. Working media is welcome.
The partnership marks another milestone in IMM’s ongoing strategy to build academic partnerships that expand opportunity for students and strengthen its position as a globally connected institution in Miami’s fashion and design landscape.
Under the agreement, qualified MFI graduates who earn an Associate of Science in Fashion Design may transfer into IMM’s Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in Fashion Design or Fashion Styling, subject to IMM’s admissions, prerequisite, and degree requirements. Students who complete their associate degree at MFI will be considered to have fulfilled IMM’s general education requirements, helping streamline their transition to a bachelor’s degree.
The partnership also provides scholarship opportunities for MDC fashion graduates. Istituto Marangoni Miami will offer one 100% talent-based scholarship and three 50% talent-based scholarships to selected students. In addition, all MDC fashion graduates will be eligible for a 25% MDC scholarship, regardless of whether they receive one of the larger talent-based awards; the 25% scholarship may be combined with additional scholarship opportunities.
“This partnership represents an important milestone in Istituto Marangoni Miami’s strategic growth and our continued investment in South Florida,” said president Baykam. “By collaborating with Miami Dade College, we are creating new opportunities for talented students while strengthening Miami’s position as an international destination for fashion, design, and creative innovation. As Miami continues to evolve into a global center for creativity, partnerships like this help cultivate the next generation of creative leaders and expand access to exceptional educational opportunities.”
“Miami Dade College is committed to creating pathways that help our students turn their talent and education into meaningful opportunities,” said president Pumariega. “This partnership with Istituto Marangoni Miami strengthens that commitment by connecting our fashion students to bachelor’s-level education, international perspectives, and valuable scholarship opportunities. Together, we are expanding access to the knowledge, skills, and experiences students need to thrive in Miami’s dynamic and globally connected fashion and creative industries.”
The agreement is designed to support students throughout the transfer process. MDC and IMM will maintain transfer guides identifying applicable MFI coursework, while transfer students will receive personalized academic advising and an individualized academic plan. IMM will also provide a specialized orientation to introduce transfer students to campus resources, faculty, and program expectations.
Beyond the transfer pathway, the partnership creates opportunities for broader collaboration between the two institutions — including on-campus visits, virtual information sessions, and joint educational programming — that will engage MDC students, the wider MFI community, and IMM’s network of faculty and industry partners. This agreement is the first in a broader strategy through which IMM intends to build similar partnerships that expand opportunity for students while reinforcing its role as an internationally connected institution.
For MDC, the partnership builds on the work of the Miami Fashion Institute, which provides students with opportunities to develop technical and creative skills and gain industry knowledge. MFI offers associate degrees in fashion design and fashion merchandising and prepares students for careers across the fashion and creative industries.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: MOU signing between MDC’s Miami Fashion Institute and Istituto Marangoni Miami
WHEN: Monday October 12 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Miami Fashion Institute at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus (Downtown Miami),
300 2nd Ave, Building 8, 6th Floor, Miami, FL 33132
Free parking in Building 7. See Campus map for directions.
About the Miami Fashion Institute
The Miami Fashion Institute at Miami Dade College offers South Florida’s only two-year fashion program at a public institution, awarding associate degrees in fashion design and fashion merchandising. Its curriculum combines creativity, technical training, and hands-on experience to prepare students for careers in the fashion industry. Students also have opportunities to continue their education at four-year institutions worldwide. Learn more at www.mdc.edu/fashion.
About Istituto Marangoni Miami
Established in 2018, Istituto Marangoni Miami (IMM) is a globally connected institution of higher education specializing in fashion, design, business, and the creative industries. Built upon the educational heritage of Istituto Marangoni, founded in Milan in 1935, the College combines nearly 90 years of creative excellence with an independent U.S. academic model, preparing students for leadership in the global creative economy. Located in Miami’s Design District, IMM’s recent momentum includes NASAD accreditation, expanded academic offerings, strengthened industry partnerships, and continued investment in globally relevant education. Learn more at www.istitutomarangonimiami.edu.
IMM media contact: immiami@immiami.edu