MIAMI DADE COLLEGE IS OPPORTUNITY
For nearly 60 years, Miami Dade College has been Miami’s great equalizer, providing millions of people in our community the opportunity to pursue their dreams of a more prosperous future through accessible, high-quality higher education.
As you read through Miami Dade College Foundation’s 2017-2018 Impact Report, we hope you will get to know those we serve through their stories: the first-generation college student who finds life-changing support; the single mom and former foster youth juggling work, family and college; and the international student fighting language barriers and poverty in search of a better life.
These are just a sampling of the varied and very real hurdles our students face each day. We are extremely grateful for our generous donors whose support has filled the cupboards of hungry students, funded tuition through private scholarships and supported workforce programs that prepare students for well-paying, in-demand jobs of the middle class.
At MDC, donors change lives every day, and giving is more important than ever. Let us help you find your passion - whether it be scholarships, workforce development, technology, the arts, or any other area that supports our students. Together we can change more lives through the opportunity of education.
Sincerely,
MDC IS DEMOCRACY’S COLLEGE
We are nationally and internationally recognized for providing access and excellence to anyone with the will to succeed — regardless of circumstance or background. Supporters of MDC Foundation are critical to the College’s vital work of harnessing the potential of every American.
MDC Foundation directly supports the College in two ways:
- We raise funds to support student scholarships.
- We raise funds for academic programs that prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, and for art and cultural programs that enrich our students and the community.
MDC STUDENTS DEFY THE ODDS
MDC students are among the most vulnerable yet determined in Florida. They regularly face enormous obstacles to completing a degree or credential. Most work while attending college, and many care for children and family as well. Your support makes the difference in helping these vulnerable students achieve the American Dream.
MDC IS MIAMI’S GREAT EQUALIZER
Our graduates climb the ladder of social mobility to land better jobs, and the ripple effect on families and our community is far-reaching. Your support of MDC gives more students the opportunity to earn a ticket to the middle class.
MDC CHANGES LIVES AND FAMILIES THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS
At MDC 82% of students receive scholarships or grant funding. Scholarships often determine whether students stay in school to complete a degree or credential. Your support can change a life and also the life of a family.
Octavis was about to drop out
It was difficult growing up in Liberty City with limited resources and opportunities, says 19-year-old aspiring music producer Octavis Hudson. Weeks into his first semester, he planned to withdraw because he couldn’t afford tuition. That changed when he was awarded a scholarship.
Thanks to philanthropists William and Toby Rohrer, Octavis stayed in school and is on his way to achieving the American Dream.
I’m proud to be the first in my family to go to college. I wouldn’t still be here without my scholarship.
OCTAVIS HUDSON
STUDENT
Paula left her family in Venezuela
Unsure how she would make ends meet, 22-year-old Paula Di Martino came to Miami with a dream of getting an education and becoming a psychologist.
To help cover higher tuition costs that international students face, philanthropist and Miami lawyer Marcelo Saenz created a scholarship fund that is already making a difference for Paula and others.
MDC showed me that you can reach your goals no matter where you come from.
PAULA DI MARTINO
STUDENT
MDC CHANGES LIVES AND FAMILIES THROUGH PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES
MDC prepares graduates with the tools, skills and experience to be successful in 21st century careers. When you support any one of our 300+ programs, you enable us to equip students for tomorrow’s emerging careers.
MDC PROVIDES EXTRA SUPPORT
MDC is committed to ensuring student sucess both in and out of the classroom. From food insecurity and homelessness to mentorship, tutoring and help navigating college, we go the extra mile for students and families who need extra support.
Support services changed Valeria’s future
When Valeria Butler aged out of foster care at 18 years old, she was homeless and had no family support. But she found help at MDC, receiving tuition assistance through Educate Tomorrow. She received extra support when she met Wendy Joseph who helped her with course registration, housing and other resources like the MDC Food Pantry. Today, Valeria is employed part-time at MDC and working toward her bachelor’s degree in psychology so she can one day help other youth like Wendy helped her.
MDC helped me turn my life around. My mentor, Wendy, is like family.
VALERIA BUTLER
ALUMNA
MDC CHANGES COMMUNITIES THROUGH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
MDC prepares empathetic, globally minded citizens who are committed to making a difference. MDC is the only public state college in the nation to be recognized for its work in developing students as changemakers. Your support allows students to reach their potential and change our world for the better.
MDC goes styrofoam free thanks to these students
As president of MDC’s environmental sustainability student group, the Yes Club, Maria Parra spearheaded an effort three years ago to ban styrofoam containers from MDC’s eight campuses. She rallied the support of the College to begin offering sustainable alternatives. When Maria graduated last year, her peers carried the cause forward, signing petitions and working with College staff to negotiate new contracts with external service providers. Today their work has paid off.
When we speak up about what matters, we get heard. I’m proud of our work; it gives me hope for our future.
MARIA PARRA
ALUMNA
MDC ALUMNA MODELS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
Alexandra Villoch is a trailblazer in our community who continually finds new ways to break the glass ceiling through her leadership. In 2014, the MDC alumna became the first female president and publisher of the Miami Herald Media Company. Three years later, she became the east regional publisher for McClatchy, overseeing eight newspapers. Prior to this, Alexandra successfully led teams in the banking and travel industries.
When she was two years old, Alexandra and her family came to the U.S. from Cuba in search of a better life. Alexandra said her education at MDC became the foundation for pursuing the American Dream.
“We are who we are because of Miami Dade College. It was there for us, and for so many people,” she says. “It’s meaningless to break the ceiling and be the first one if you’re the last one. We can’t be the last ones.”
Alexandra’s success knows no limits as she paves a way for women and immigrants after her.
In the community, she leads by serving, and does so with compassion and empathy. For decades, Alexandra has dedicated her time and energy to causes that uplift Miami’s youth and families, like the United Way of MiamiDade, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. She was also a founder of the Beacon Council’s One Community One Goal Initiative.
At MDC, Alexandra has also advanced our work to change lives through education as a member of MDC Foundation’s Board of Directors. We’re proud to call Alexandra MDC.
PRIVATE SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL
While tuition remains stable and accessible for students, state government revenue to the College continues to decline. MDC currently receives $14.9 million less per year than it did a decade ago. In 2017-2018, MDC Foundation awarded $9.5 million to benefit students and programs. With your support, we can close the funding gap and help more students.
Scholarship funding supported
- Tuition
- Books
- Fees
- Course Supplies
Program funding supported
- Academic Programs
- Support Services
- Faculty Support
- Arts / Cultural Programming
Your support changes lives.
Sebastian Betancourt came to the U.S. with his mom and siblings for a better life. Thanks to a scholarship, Sebastian graduated from MDC’s Honors College this year, was awarded a transfer scholarship at graduation, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in electrical engineering at University of Michigan. Sebastian and his sister, who also graduated from MDC, are the first in their family to go to college.
GIVE THE GIFT OF OPPORTUNITY HELP OUR STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS
You have the power today to change the lives of our students, their families and our community tomorrow.
Change starts with opportunity, and so does success.
The greatest gift you can make is helping a student become a future leader and contributor in our community. From the growing number of students who transfer to prestigious universities to those building start-ups and leading top companies in our community, their success can be your legacy.
Help us ensure the doors to opportunity remain open for anyone willing to work hard to achieve the American Dream.
Let us connect you with your passion at MDC.
305.237.3240
Your support changes lives.
When she was 8 years old, Gayathri Samuel and her family came to Miami from Sri Lanka to pursue the American Dream. Gayathri is grateful for the Miami Bayside Foundation scholarship she received at MDC because it keeps her focused on studying. The aspiring lawyer and first-generation college student says there is power in philanthropy, and she looks forward to the day she can pay it forward for students after her.
Credits:
Miami Dade College