Madeline Pumariega

Proud to convene leaders from across Florida’s higher education and public safety communities at the 2026 Commissioners Summit on Campus and School Safety hosted at @mdcollege . Surrounded by college presidents, trustees, commissioners, chancellors, and law enforcement leaders from across the Florida College System, Governor @rondesantis signed House Bill 757, strengthening campus safety efforts and expanding Florida’s school guardian program to public colleges and universities statewide. We are grateful to the Florida Legislature for advancing this important bill, to Governor DeSantis for signing it into law, and to Commissioner Kamoutsas for his leadership and commitment to equipping postsecondary institutions with the tools and resources needed to strengthen campus safety across our state.

Day 1 of the 2026 Commissioner’s Summit came to a close, uniting college presidents, trustees, commissioners, and chancellors from across Florida. Thank you to Commissioner Kamoutsas, the Florida Department of Education, and every leader who joined us. The work continues.

Healthcare is rooted in compassion, resilience, and service… and today we celebrated the leaders making a lasting impact across South Florida. Congratulations to Dr. Marie Etienne, recipient of the Nurse Award from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, for her dedication to inspiring the next generation of nursing professionals. A special congratulations as well to Carlos A. Migoya on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his visionary leadership and commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare in our community. Congratulations to all of today’s honorees and award recipients.

Today, @mdcollege was honored to host the State Board of Education. Our students had the opportunity to showcase their extraordinary talent, innovation, and accomplishments… a powerful reflection of the impact of Florida’s college system. As the workforce and talent engine of our community, MDC remains deeply committed to aligning our academic programs with the evolving needs of Miami-Dade’s economy and the industries shaping our future. I am incredibly proud of our more than 125,000 students and the nearly 15,000 graduates who crossed the stage this year, each representing the promise, perseverance, and potential that define our institution. Today, Felipe Salles Varallo was presented with the Commissioner's Leadership Award. Thank you to the State Board of Education for your leadership, partnership, and continued support of student success across our state!

Proud to welcome Executive Vice Chancellor of the Florida College System, Dr. Jose Arevalo, to @mdcnorth today! From our AI and BIT Centers to the @mdcfireacademy and School of Justice, Vice Chancellor Arevalo saw firsthand what makes @mdcollege ’s programs the best. Live fire demonstrations, real-life scenario training, and student-led criminology demos made for an unforgettable visit. This is MDC in action. And we couldn’t be prouder. Thank you, Vice Chancellor Arevalo!

In 2023, Ken Griffin made a historic philanthropic investment in @mdcollege history through the Griffin Scholarship Fund, expanding access to life-changing opportunities for students across our community. Since then, more than 8,000 students have received support to continue their education, overcome financial barriers, and pursue brighter futures. Education is the on-ramp to the American Dream and opportunity is everything. Thank you, Ken Griffin and @griffincatalyst , for believing in our students and investing in the future of our community.

Ken Griffin bet on Miami and on the students of Miami Dade College. In 2023, his monumental gift set in motion something greater than a scholarship fund. It was a statement of belief: that talent is everywhere, and that opportunity should be too. Since then, more than 8,000 students have received the support they need to pursue their education, build their futures, and stay the course when life makes it difficult. The Griffin Scholarship Fund has removed the financial barriers that so often stand between ambition and achievement.

I share with great pride the exciting news that three @mdcollege students have been named recipients of the prestigious @thejkcf Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Award!   All members of @mdchonors , this year’s proud finalists are David Ramirez from Kendall Campus, Maria Romero, and Johnny Barahona, both from Padron Campus.   More than 1,300 students from across the nation applied for the highly competitive scholarship, which provides up to $55,000 per year to complete their upper-division studies. Only 60 are selected.   Along with financial support, the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the transition to a four-year college and in preparing for their careers. Scholars receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as a connection to a network of thousands of Cooke Scholars and Alumni.   Since 2002, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship has been awarded to 62 Miami Dade College students, making MDC the college with the most recipients nationwide. This accomplishment speaks volumes about our commitment to providing opportunities for our students.   Join me in congratulating David Ramirez, Maria Romero, and Johnny Barahona, who truly exemplify academic excellence. Everyone in the MDC family applauds your success, and we look forward to seeing the wonderful things your bright futures hold!

Every Jack Kent Cooke Scholar has a powerful story behind them, and this year’s MDC Scholars are no exception. As Honors College students, they excel academically, but what really defines them is their grit. They’re first-generation college students balancing classes, jobs, and family responsibilities, pushing forward because they know an education changes everything. Chosen from just 60 scholars nationwide, they’ve earned one of the most competitive scholarships in the country, up to $55,000 a year, to continue their journey. They’re now heading to incredible universities across the nation. And, they got their start right here at MDC. David, Maria, Johnny, we're cheering you on and know that you'll accomplish great things.

The foundation of every future begins in early learning classrooms and with parents everywhere. Early learning educators shape far more than classrooms. They shape confidence, curiosity, language, resilience, and the foundation every child carries into the rest of their life. Today, we celebrate the extraordinary early learning educators across @miamischools whose work often happens quietly, but whose impact lasts for generations. At @mdcollege , we are proud to prepare the next generation of early childhood education professionals because investing in these educators is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our community. To every educator guiding and inspiring our youngest learners: thank you for the lives you help shape and the futures you help unlock.

Today, at the Miami Dade College Medical Campus, we proudly celebrated the graduates of the Maurice L. Kemp EMS Cadet Program in partnership with the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue. This milestone reflects the dedication, discipline, and commitment these cadets have shown in preparing to serve our community as the next generation of emergency medical professionals and first responders. Congratulations to each graduate for answering the call to lead with courage, compassion, and excellence. We are proud to celebrate this achievement and the bright future ahead for these outstanding cadets.