MADELINE PUMARIEGA

PRESIDENT, MIAMI DADE COLLEGE, MIAMI

In 2020, Pumariega became the first female president of Miami Dade College, which has the largest undergraduate enrollment in the United States. It also has one of the most diverse student bodies. With eight campuses and outreach centers, about 120,000 students and more than 6,000 employees, MDC also awards more associate’s degrees than any other college in the nation. In addition to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence programs, MDC produces the Miami Book Fair and Miami Film Festival. Before joining MDC, Pumariega was the first female and Hispanic chancellor of the Florida College System. During her tenure, several of the FCS’s 28 colleges — which serve 800,000 students — rose in the rankings of U.S. News & World Report, and Florida was also named No. 1 in higher education by U.S. News.

EDUCATION: Miami Dade College (AA), St. Thomas University (BA), Florida Atlantic University (MA), Barry University (doctoral candidate)

MENTOR: Throughout my life, my father instilled in me the importance of hard work and resilience. My mother, a school teacher, is also one of my greatest role models who ignited my passion for education. I know that from heaven she is guiding me every day.

READING: Start with Why, by Simon Sinek