MDC is seeing a remarkable 12.3% increase in enrollment year-over-year compared to spring 2024, Dr. Malou C. Harrison, the college’s executive vice president and provost, told Miami Today.
“Additionally, the college has seen a 12.8% rise in headcount,” she said. “This upward trajectory in headcount and credits speaks to the strategic enrollment initiatives we’ve developed and charted over the past few years.”
MDC announced a partnership with MasTec with a new Broadband Utilities Lab at the north campus. The collaborative initiative is focused on enhancing education, workforce development, and innovation in broadband technology as part of the Construction Trades Institute (CTI) and supported by FloridaCommerce.
“This partnership with MasTec strengthens our mission to provide students with practical experience and advanced training in broadband technologies,” said Madeline Pumariega, MDC’s president.
The Broadband Utilities Lab will provide MDC students with hands-on experience and training in cutting-edge technology. The new academic program is designed to align with industry needs, equipping the next generation of professionals with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Since February, MDC has been offering courses toward a new telecommunication and fiber optics certificate program set for fall. Courses will run for 12 weeks. CTI also offers training in electrical, HVAC, plumbing and now broadband.
In partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation, MDC just launched the 2025 PepsiCo Foundation S.M.I.L.E Scholars (Success Matters in Life & Education) program designed for MDC graduates from underserved and under-resourced communities seeking to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
“As Miami Dade College joins hands with the PepsiCo Foundation in yet another student-centered endeavor, we are together amplifying pathways to social mobility and sustainable generational growth,” said Dr. Harrison added. “There is a great need to support students’ transfer aspirations toward upper division studies and beyond.”
The scholarship is specifically designed for first-generation college students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. The PepsiCo Foundation is committed to providing support services including access to emergency grants, mentorship, networking, financial literacy courses and access to career coaching to help position scholars for future success.
The S.M.I.L.E. scholarship can be used for education costs, along with expenses for childcare, transportation, and basic living costs. The program is open to MDC graduates, with preference given to students in select business or STEM fields.
“We believe in the power of community colleges as a unique pathway for students seeking an affordable and flexible education, which creates economic opportunities and enables them to secure jobs in industries with growth potential,” said C.D. Glin, the global head of philanthropy, PepsiCo and president.
The Central Sterile Processing Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program launched this month in partnership with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. It’s addressing a critical need for skilled healthcare professionals in this field. MDC currently leads the state with over 22 registered apprenticeship programs.
Central sterile processing technicians ensure that all reusable surgical instruments and equipment are properly decontaminated, inspected, assembled, and packaged to meet strict safety standards. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for professionals in this field will keep growing due to an aging workforce and the need for more equipment preparers in hospitals and outpatient facilities.
“This viable work-based ‘learn and earn’ opportunity brings together two leading South Florida institutions, Miami Dade College and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, to grow and strengthen the local healthcare workforce,” Dr Harrison said. “Through this partnership, MDC is offering individuals a direct path into this in-demand career, while helping employers fill essential positions.”
The one-year apprenticeship combines on-the-job training at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital with classroom instruction at MDC’s Medical Campus in the heart of the hospital district.
“The apprenticeship model combines on-the-job training with related technical instruction, which significantly enhances participants’ engagement in the classroom by providing practical and immersive learning experience,” added Dr. Ron Winston, interim dean of MDC’s School of Health Sciences. “This model allows apprentices to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, reinforcing their understanding and retention of the material.”
Upon completion, apprentices earn a Career Technical Certificate in Central Sterile Processing from MDC and a nationally recognized certificate from the Florida Department of Education. There’s no tuition cost for apprentices, and students are paid during training.
“Unlike traditional medical programs or internships, apprentices receive full-time wages and employer benefits from day one of employment,” said Dr. Alexia Rolle, dean of career and technical education. “Additionally, leveraging grant funds, apprentice tuition, books, and other occupational materials are provided at no cost so that participants eliminate any potential financial barriers.”
The post Miami Dade College enrollment soars 12% with new partnerships appeared first on Miami Today.
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