This past year has been challenging, but it also has been filled with opportunities to demonstrate the importance of caring for one another.

At MDC, our most important asset is the talented team of faculty and staff, so I have prioritized creating a culture of care by launching MDC CARE (Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education). In collaboration with multiple institutions, we began offering COVID-19 testing at three sites—North Campus, Kendall Campus and Homestead Campus—to our students, teachers and employees, at no cost. MDC’s North Campus also began serving as a federal COVID-19 mass vaccination site. This designation speaks to the critical role the College plays in this community and the nation.

Ensuring that we recognize our employees making a difference is important to valuing excellence. Together with our leadership team we decided to bring back the Presidential Excellence Award Program that provides one-time monetary awards to employees who have gone the extra mile. In addition, the Employee Enrollment Initiative will offer a more personalized continuing education experience.

“Ensuring the safety of our students and employees, as well as serving all of Miami, is our ultimate goal.”

With help from donors, the MDC Foundation Board of Directors and other generous partners, we secured devices for students for remote learning, provided meals and groceries, and expanded scholarships early on, along with expanded scholarships and support for veterans. MDC Single Stop and Student Life offices also collaborated with the nonprofit Farm Share and elected officials on numerous food distributions at multiple campuses.

I saw firsthand the impact of our health care heroes. MDC alumni in the position to step up, did. From nurses to teachers to first responders, alumni from some of the College’s longest-running and most highly regarded programs became everyday heroes. To honor and thank our hometown first responders who got their start at the College, we developed a special heroes edition of our MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Awards. The awards recognize our pandemic heroes helping our community while inspiring the next generation of first responders by raising essential scholarship dollars.

The way MDC and our community took action and adapted, from the quick pivot to remote teaching and learning to the careful planning for a safe return to campus shows how we care for and about each other. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our city.