LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
There’s a tech revolution happening in the heart of Miami. It’s being fueled by big thinkers, risk-taking entrepreneurs, public and private supporters. And alongside them at the grown-up’s table: Miami Dade College.
Long acknowledged as one of the nation’s biggest and most diverse institutions of higher learning, and a major player in Miami’s academic, civic, and cultural landscapes, MDC is undeniably stepping up to meet the challenges and opportunities of this brave new high-tech world.
Put simply, the College – which opened in 1960 and has since enrolled 2.5 million-plus – is punching above its weight, spearheading efforts to cultivate a strong and dynamic technology workforce to meet the needs of the growing industry.
“Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge programs, MDC is harnessing the immense potential of its students and the community at large through exposure to emerging technologies, ensuring MDC’s role at the frontier of innovation and solutions to our society’s most pressing challenges,” said Antonio Delgado, MDC’s vice president of innovation and technology partnerships.
MDC is the first higher-ed institution in Florida to offer a Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI), just one example of the innovative thinking that makes MDC a leader in technology and business. That’s why global corporate partners like Amazon, Bloomberg, Google, Intel, Kaseya, Microsoft, and Tesla turn to MDC for workforce training and hiring, assured that MDC students are ready to drive South Florida’s future forward. With a wide range of pathways to high-tech, in-demand career programs – including associate and bachelor’s degrees, credit certificates, internships, and apprenticeships – MDC fuels the workforce pipeline like no other.
“Miami Dade College is transforming lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in the future workforce,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega.
MDC is at the forefront of technological innovation in South Florida, exemplified by its dynamic Artificial Intelligence Centers. Since their inauguration, these centers have become the AI hub of Miami, hosting several events, workshops, seminars, and conferences. These activities not only foster knowledge-exchange and collaboration among technology leaders, industry experts, and students alike, but also position MDC as a pivotal institution driving the region’s technological advancement.
Academically, MDC is committed to ensuring that every student is prepared to enter a high-tech workforce driven by AI, regardless of discipline. Students of all majors are taking on the emerging technology in exciting ways, from using generative AI to create film storyboards to harnessing the technology’s power for training on a state-of-the-art air traffic control simulator.
The Associate in Science and Bachelor’s of Applied AI offered at MDC are the first in the state of Florida. There were nearly 800 students enrolled in AI courses from these programs during the 2023-24 academic year. Unlike some other career tracks, the majority are not incoming high schoolers. About 70% are over the age of 26, and about 20% are over 41. This shows that working professionals are recognizing the significance of AI’s role in the changing workforce and are turning to MDC to upskill and reskill.
“At MDC I learned how to take ideas and make them reality,” said alumnus Nicolás Campos, a Blackstone Launchpad Fellow who used AI technology to create a digital human named Clera, designed to be a next-generation receptionist. “I was given a tremendous number of opportunities and the guidance of talented mentors to get me to where I am today.”
More information about AI at MDC at www.mdc.edu/aicenter/
CYBERSECURITY TALENT PRODUCER
MDC is the only institution in the nation with National Security Agency (NSA)-validated associate and bachelor’s degree programs, setting the standard for excellence in the industry. As a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, the College serves over 1,000 cybersecurity students every year, becoming the main source of cybersecurity talent in South Florida.
“Validation by the NSA means employers can be certain that our cybersecurity graduates know exactly what they need to know to be successful in the job,” said Ali Segovia, a senior security consultant at Microsoft and member of MDC’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board, a collaboration with industry experts.
The Cybersecurity Center of the Americas is at the core of MDC’s cybersecurity education. The Center offers hands-on training to shape the next generation of cyber defenders. Beyond academia, the center is a community hub, attracting cybersecurity experts and hosting businesses for immersive training sessions. This community engagement not only enhances cyber awareness within MDC but also strengthens the region’s cybersecurity resilience.
“I have nothing but gratitude for MDC,” said Lousindy Mitton, a recent bachelor’s in Cybersecurity graduate. “It has been a great experience and I appreciate all of the support that the school continues to give me.” She was recently recognized with a prestigious U.S. State Department Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship.
To learn more, please visit www.mdc.edu/cybersecurity/
MIAMI ANIMATION & GAMING INTERNATIONAL COMPLEX (MAGIC)
Do you believe in MAGIC? MDC students create it every day in the state-of-the-art facilities of the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC). Here, they study Game Development and Design, Animation and Game Art, and Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies. Students are guided as they take their unique ideas and turn them into reality.
Opportunities abound with industry partners such as Disney Junior, ViacomCBS, and Televisa Univision, which broadcast MDC senior’s capstone projects to audiences around the globe.
To learn more, please visit magic.mdc.edu/
BUSINESS INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY CENTER (BIT)
The BIT Center at MDC is a gateway to cutting-edge skills and invaluable opportunities where students are immersed in real-time technologies and hands-on learning experiences in line with the latest industry trends, giving them a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business landscape. This cross-disciplinary collaboration within the School of Global Business prepares students for diverse team settings and real-world scenarios.
The College’s carefully crafted curriculum and co-curricular experiences provide students with a comprehensive education that meets industry demands. Through partnerships with global tech leaders like Bloomberg, Hootsuite, HubSpot, and others, the BIT Center offers industry-recognized certifications, validating skills and opening doors to exciting tech career prospects. The Center builds bridges between students and the business community by hosting speakers and workshops, facilitating internships, and housing a student-managed investment fund run completely by business majors.
Tomas Rosero, president of the student-managed investment fund, says of the BIT Center, “The BIT Center has opened the doors for me since the very first moment I got to MDC. With all the tools the Center has provided, I’ve been able to learn about finance and put that knowledge into practice with all the opportunities they offer to students.”
More information about BIT on www.mdc.edu/bitcenter/
APPLE APP DEVELOPMENT
MDC has teamed up with Apple to launch the groundbreaking Miami Codes initiative, aimed at empowering minority students to master iOS app development. This immersive program equips participants with the expertise to create cutting-edge applications for iOS, the operating system powering Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices.
The nearly 200 students enrolled in Miami Codes receive a full scholarship and the chance to intern at local companies upon program completion. One such student is Frederic Dupoux. Through the Apple Swift program, he is developing an AI-driven app that analyzes water usage and offers strategies to reduce waste.
“MDC has been absolute heaven for me,” said Dupoux, who is pursuing an associate degree in programming. “The opportunities the school provides me are simply wonderful and truly things I never thought possible.”
More information about Apple courses at MDC on www.mdc.edu/entec/grants/apple.aspx
CLOUD COMPUTING CENTER
MDC’s partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) is strategically crafted to prepare students for thriving careers in cloud computing, paving the way for them to earn highly coveted AWS certifications. The curriculum, enriched with AWS content, is designed to cater to college students, working professionals, and dual enrollment high school students alike.
MDC faculty work with AWS experts to continuously develop and enhance courses, ensuring students receive the most up-to-date and relevant education. The center provides classrooms and conference space for local companies, creating a vibrant nexus where students and potential employers converge. Students frequently participate in company workshops, fostering invaluable networking opportunities and deepening their expertise in AWS.
To learn more, please visitwww.mdc.edu/cloudcomputingcenter/
THE IDEA CENTER: FUELING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS
The Idea Center is the hub for entrepreneurship and innovation at Miami Dade College, a proud member of the Blackstone LaunchPad network. Our programs help MDC students connect with South Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide them with the network, tools, and resources to launch their own businesses.
Through our Entrepreneur-in-Residence teaching model, we pair up our MDC faculty with local entrepreneurs to co-teach classes that help our students learn both the theory and practice of launching a business. Our StartUp Internship Program allows students to get paid real-world experience working at local startups or VC firms while studying at MDC.
“The Idea Center, through Blackstone LaunchPad, has helped coach me in the right direction and provided the seed capital needed to get my business started,” shared Neo Gaitán, founder of Valõr, a fashion-tech startup. We encourage South Florida’s tech and entrepreneurship ecosystem to help support a new generation of founders at MDC.
To learn more, please visit www.theideacenter.co
TESLA START
MDC has partnered with Tesla on the Tesla START program, a comprehensive 16-week training initiative focused on Tesla electric vehicle servicing. Designed to equip students for careers at Tesla, the program covers tuition for all participants. A new facility at MDC’s West Campus was built to Tesla specifications, providing students with an immersive learning environment mirroring real-world technician settings. The curriculum combines classroom theory, hands-on labs, and self-paced learning to impart technical expertise. Qualified graduates are offered jobs with Tesla.
To learn more, please visit www.mdc.edu/teslactc/
MIAMI TECH WORKS: TECH TALENT COALITION
Miami Tech Works is a $10 million grant award from the Good Jobs Challenge initiative of the U.S. Economic Development Administration to strengthen the regional collaboration between companies looking for tech talent and higher education institutions and training providers. As a result of this grant, the Miami Tech Talent Coalition was created in 2023 to bridge the gap between employers and technology talent, nurturing a sustainable tech talent pipeline in Miami.
Led by MDC, the Coalition has over 300 members including employers, academic institutions, economic development partners, and local government. Through employer-led working groups, the Tech Talent Coalition is designing innovative solutions that guarantee pathways to employment for emerging talent and local residents seeking opportunities to reskill and gain employment in technology. This proactive approach ensures that Miami maintains its status as a dynamic hub for innovation, attracting businesses and tech talent alike.
“What the Tech Talent Coalition has become now is a real supportive movement. We’re taking the right approach by integrating the private sector very closely into this initiative and structuring it so that we can take advantage of the new hungry talent that wants to get into the tech field,” said Charles Irizarry, CEO of Brim & Co. and co-chair of the Emerging Tech Talent workgroup of the Coalition.
Employers are encouraged to sign up for a working group or contact the Miami Tech Works team to discuss hiring needs.
To learn more and join the Miami Tech Talent Coalition, please visit www.miamitechworks.org.
