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- [Man 1] Greater Miami, renowned for its beautiful beaches, sizzling nightlife and
melange of cultures is also known as the "Gateway to the Americas," a welcoming
beacon for those coming from distant shores to pursue their dreams.
And at the heart of this bustling region, with its doors wide open is Miami Dade
College, the nation's largest institution of higher education
and one of the most respected.
- [Woman 1] A college earns its reputation by how it responds to the needs of the
community it serves. For more than half a century, Miami Dade College has been
making education attainable for everyone by making it affordable and first-rate
through innovation and hardworking faculty and employees. Two million people have
attended the college since its doors opened in 1960. Today, Miami Dade College
offers more than 300 major areas of study via associate and bachelor's degrees and
short-term certificates for high demand occupations.
- [Barry] And whether you are going in from high school or an adult wanting to
get the degree you never got, or if you're someone who's changing careers, we've had
that happen a lot these days in this new economy, Miami Dade College has an answer
and has a resource for everyone. So, it's quite a valuable tool for our business
community, but moreover, it's a very integral part of what makes this,
Miami-Dade County, so special for all of us who call this place home.
- Four-year degrees have been developed in response to critical industry
needs for teachers, nurses, and first responders. Additional bachelor's degrees
in engineering, biological and health sciences, supervision and management,
film, television, and digital production and others are also responding
to workforce demands.
- [Chris] In my 25 years here at Miami Dade College, I've seen the impact that we
have had on many, many students not just in the classroom but opportunities to
serve in leadership role in student organizations, opportunities to learn
through service learning, and to be able to give back as a sense of gratitude for
all they've received here with us.
- A degree in the ever-competitive world of nursing is
within reach at Miami Dade College. Not only are students learning the science and
application through clinical rotations and state-of-the-art technology,
but they are cultivating civic awareness by providing care to the under-served.
- [Marie] So, for me, having students participate in medical missions such as in
the Dominican Republic really give the students the opportunity to learn things
that I would not be able to give them in a classroom.
- Miami Dade's professional schools work closely with industry
professionals to make graduates ready to enter their field of study.
Our School of Aviation has students flying high, not only learning piloting skills
but air traffic control and engine maintenance. The School of Architecture
and Interior Design provides creative minds with the tools they need to
contribute immediately in this innovative field. MDC's pioneering Funeral
Services Education Program teaches students how to care for the deceased
while supporting the living. The School of Business prepares students for careers in
accounting and marketing. Students in the School of Health Sciences gain practical
experience at more than 100 healthcare facilities and are guided by licensed
professionals. Those who earn degrees from the School of Entertainment and Design
Technology find themselves working in the arts of design, television,
film, web, and music business. The hands-on approaches, technology,
industry relations, and especially the top-notch faculty make our professional
schools the foundation for successful careers.
- [Joseph] When you say Miami Dade College as well you see opportunity like
not for just a few. It's open enrollment. It's like opportunity for everyone.
This is basically why I feel like Miami Dade is very unique.
And I guess when you have all these people around that just wants you
to succeed, guess what you do?
- Miami Dade College's schools are housed throughout our eight campuses.
The college's founding campus is located in the North section of Miami-Dade County.
And our second campus is found in Kendall. Downtown Miami is home to the Wolfson
Campus. And just a few miles away, nestled in the city's medical district is
the Medical Campus. In the heart of Little Havanna, Miami's historic Latin Quarter is
where the Interamerican Campus can be found. Miami Dade College's southernmost
campus is located in the city of Homestead. Hialeah Campus serves the
greater Hialeah and Miami Lakes area, while the city of Doral is home to our
newest location, MDC West. Classes are offered at each campus during the day,
evening, and on weekends. And for those unable to attend the campus,
online courses are just a click away through the college's virtual college.
- Nationally recognized as a catalyst for innovation,
Miami Dade College prides itself in developing programs that foster academic
and professional success for all students. MDC student achievement initiatives aim to
substantially increase student success and completion, while maintaining
educational access and quality. The initiatives are being implemented on a
global scale which will generate true transformational change for the college,
our community and, most importantly, for each and every one of our students.
- [Lenore] I think one of the most wonderful things about this past year in
the student achievement initiatives and what we're looking forward to next year is
the tremendous amount of collaboration that we've had across all departments here
at the institution. From Student Services, to the faculty, to the administration,
everybody's working together as a true family to ensure that we all do what's
best for our students.
- For students who crave a rigorous program of study, Miami Dade
College's nationally renowned Honors College is the program of choice.
Dubbed An Ivy stepladder by TIME magazine, the Honors College is designed
to prepare a select group of high-achieving academically-talented
students to transfer to competitive institutions nationwide. For more than 10
years, the Honors College has provided a comprehensive learning experience that
blends rigorous academics with enriching cultural opportunities establishing a
network of relationships that continues beyond their two years at MDC.
Bilingual scholars have the option of enrolling in the Honors College Dual
Language Program, developing professional level proficiency in English and Spanish.
Each year, Honors College students gain a new global perspective when they visit the
acclaimed Salzburg Institute in Austria. The 10-day seminar allows students to
experience an intensive global curriculum within a European context.
When they return, the students apply their newly acquired skills to enhance MDC and
the local community. Once our Honors College students graduate,
many transfer to top universities such as Yale, Harvard, Brown,
Stanford, Cornell, Georgetown, and Columbia, proving that opportunity does
change everything.
- [Pascal] We try to organize the classes so that the students who enter in the
first year together travel as a cohort through that first year and in most cases
the second year. And the theory there is, number one, you have a community of
like-minded students learning and growing together. But, secondly,
by developing these relationships, it creates a safe intellectual environment
where students can take risks, express their curiosity, and also grow because
we know they're transitioning from high school learners into lifelong learners.
- [Vanessa] Coming out of high school I didn't feel prepared to leave home,
and I think that many students have that feeling. So coming to the Honors College
here was a great opportunity for me. Also, the Honors College provided a program
called The Bridges which I'm currently in. And, what that program entails of is I
take classes at the University of Miami, and I also conduct research there,
so that actually shaped what I want to do. I always knew I wanted to do something
with psychology and now I'm looking into doing research in the psychology field and
in the neuroscience field. But without the Honors College, I never would've
experienced any type of research or anything. The Honors College is a very
rigorous program but it also...it has its many benefits, and it has
for sure prepared me for what's to come.
- Miami Dade College is also instrumental in making higher education
more accessible to non-traditional students through our acclaimed School of
Continuing Education and Professional Development. Our mission is to provide
non-credit courses to individuals who want to enrich their cultural experiences or
improve their career skills.
- With our student body representing 185 nations and speaking 94
languages, Miami Dade College is the nation's most diverse institution.
Endless opportunities to learn from other cultures are available throughout our
campuses. Our International Education Program offers students the opportunity to
experience the world through a variety of semester, summer and short-term study
abroad programs. Our partnership with 30 nations around the globe lets students
live and study in their country of choice.
- With more than 100 clubs and organizations, students can benefit from
traditional college life. So, whether it's becoming a part of the Model United
Nations Program, traveling abroad, participating in clubs, or joining the
Student Government Association, endless possibilities exist for civic engagement.
Miami Dade College's students have gone on to be successful leaders in their
respective fields working as doctors, nurses, actors, politicians,
and businessmen and women. Baseball legend Mike Piazza is just one of the
distinguished alumni to have studied at Miami Dade College and has proven that
opportunity truly does change everything.
- [Mike] I talked to Doc Demie Mainieri at North Campus, and he told me,
you know, "We'd love to have you here," and I said, "Great." He gave me
a chance, and I ended up hitting 360 and getting drafted. And it sort of
catapulted me into my professional career.
- Mike Piazza is regarded as one of the best-hitting catchers of all time.
He was selected as the National League Rookie of the Year in 1993,
is a 12-time All-Star and received 10 consecutive Silver Slugger awards.
- I think that's the coolest thing about the college, that it gives so many
people an opportunity to realize their dreams however big or small.
- From visual and performing arts to literature and film,
Miami Dade College offers students and the community unique experiences in the arts
and with its leading professionals. In fact, Miami Dade College is recognized as
a cultural anchor. The music, theater and drama departments present professional
master training and student performances throughout the year. Student literary
magazines, showcase poetry, prose, photography, illustrations, and graphic
designs produced for and by students. The Center at MDC hosts the nation's finest
and largest literary gathering, Miami Book Fair International, which brings hundreds
of acclaimed authors from throughout the world to our college each year.
Tom Wolfe, Nikki Giovanni, Amy Tan, Anne Rice, Toni Morrison, Isabel Allende,
Stephen King, Joan Didion, and Junot Diaz are just a few of the authors who have
attended the fair. And Spanish language theater in Miami has been placed on the
map, thanks to the legendary Prometeo Theater, the nation's pioneering Spanish
Language Theater Program. The theater offers master classes throughout the year
in every aspect of theater and production. In fact, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
Nilo Cruz got his start at Miami Dade College.
- [Alina] Over the past few decades, Miami has undergone a very exciting
transformation. It has become a thriving hub for international arts and culture
with multiple activities happening year-round, day-to-day in our city.
Miami Dade College has been very much a part of this transformation.
- The college is also home to Miami International Film Festival,
a springboard for many international films, directors, and producers.
Both students and filmgoers get a chance to get up close and personal with
Hollywood's top talents such as Viggo Mortensen, Demi Moore, Danny Glover,
Helen Hunt, Elsa Pataky, Willem Dafoe, Lee Wallman,
and famous Miami Dade College alumnus, Andy Garcia.
- [Jaie] Well, the goal is really to showcase the best of international cinema
to, you know, all of Miami, but also just to foster Miami as an
entertainment center for the new generation.
- MDC Live Arts brings musical greats such as Branford Marsalis,
the Harlem Orchestra, Paquito D'Rivera, and many others. The series presents
fresh, contemporary work that explores both the uniqueness of cultures and their
interaction with one another.
- Embracing all aspects of visual arts and creating an arena for both
international and local exhibitions is the core mission of Miami Dade College Museum
and Galleries of Art and Design. Whether it's presenting the works of masters Dali,
Goya or da Vinci, the galleries of art and design system have opened their doors and
given the community access to some of the greatest works in history.
MDC's Museum of Art and Design at MDC's national historic landmark,
The Freedom Tower, has become the anchor of the gallery system.
- Miami Dade College is committed to the success of not just
students but of the entire community. Our academic programs are designed to make
students more competitive in the classroom and in the boardroom, while our cultural
events foster imagination and innovation.
- Miami Dade College. We are.
- The heart of this community.
- The cultural catalyst of Miami.
- The standard bear of today.
- We are Miami Dade College.
- Where opportunity changes everything.