MADELINE PUMARIEGA

PRESIDENT, MIAMI DADE COLLEGE, MIAMI

With eight campuses, about 120,000 students and more than 6,000 employees, MDC awards more associate’s degrees than any other college in the nation. It offers more than 300 degree pathways, including associate and bachelor’s degrees, career certificates and apprenticeships. In 2020, Pumariega became the college’s first female president.

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

FIRST JOB: I’m proud to say my first job was at McDonald’s.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: A police officer or detective.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I was once a student-athlete at Miami Dade College, playing on the women’s basketball team.

HOBBY: I enjoy making photo books because they’re a way to preserve memories that might otherwise fade.