Miami, FL – Considering Miami Dade College’s (MDC) track record for enrolling more Hispanic students than any other educational institution in the nation, it is no wonder that the month of October would be any less exciting for the students, faculty, staff and community. This month, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, MDC’s eight campuses will host an exciting array of events including lectures, exhibitions, live performances, food tastings, and more. Most of the events are free unless otherwise noted and are open to the public. Some events may require advanced registration.

Here are some highlights from this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month events:

Mon., Oct. 17 – Noon

Did You Know? Home Remedies, Herbs and Medicinal Practice of Our Culture

Dr. Cindy Cork and Teresita Pedraza will lead a panel discussion on Hispanic culture and the health field. Refreshments will be served.

Medical Center Campus, 950 N.W. 20^th St. – Student Life Lounge, Room 1163 – 305-237-4213

Miami, FL – The Miami Dade College (MDC) and the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami will present a concert featuring the works of 20^th Century American composers at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Palmetto Bay. The Come Home to the Civic Chorale event will feature both current and former singers of the Chorale, MDC’s Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir, along with the College’s Jubilation Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Michelle Grant-Murray. The Chorale will perform works by composers Lloyd Pfautsch, Aaron Copeland and Stephen Paulus.

Civic Chorale alumni interested in participating in the concert should contact Dr. Kenneth Boos, [email protected]  or Phee Price, [email protected], for details about a rehearsal and how to obtain music.

Register now for workshops and one-on-one consultations taking place during Miami Book Fair International

Miami, FL – This fall, aspiring writers will have the opportunity to learn technique and get publishing advice when The Center of Literature and Theatre @ Miami Dade College (MDC), (formerly known as the Florida Center for the Literary Arts), presents its prestigious Miami Writers Institute for the second time this year. The fall version of this spring staple runs Wednesday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Nov. 18 during Miami Book Fair International at the Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami. This three-day conference features comprehensive courses that focus on craft and publishing, additionally, participants may sign up for one-on-one manuscript consultations with industry professionals. All courses are taught by accomplished authors with extensive teaching experience. Since space in most workshops is limited, interested participants are encouraged to register now.

Special prices and registration fees:

• Any Three-day, nine-hour workshop: $225 each
• Secrets of Publishing: (two-day, four hours): $125
• One-day Workshops: $80
• Manuscript Consultations: $80*

*Manuscript consultation fees are not reading fees and do not go to the agent. Instead, they support the programs and initiatives of The Center @ MDC.

All Writers Institute courses will be held at MDC’s Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave. Discounted rates are available for MDC staff, as well as students currently enrolled in credit courses.

For a detailed schedule and to register for workshops and manuscript consultations, and for general information about the Miami Writer’s Institute, visit www.flcenterlitarts.com Space in workshops is limited. Register as soon as possible to secure your space. For any registration inquiries, or for more information, contact Nicole Swift at 305-237-3023 or [email protected].

 
Miami, FL – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Arts and Philosophy Department continues its successful jazz series, Jazz at Wolfson Presents, with saxophonist Mike Rossi, at noon Wednesday, Oct. 5. These monthly concerts that run from September through April are free and open to the public.

MIAMI, FL – The 28th edition of Miami Book Fair International, presented by The Center at Miami Dade College, officially kicked-off Monday, Sept. 12 at the City Hall Restaurant, with the unveiling of two official Book Fair posters. The official Book Fair poster was created by Ye Hongxing, a native of China whose artwork has earned her a place in the top exhibitions in the world. A second poster, designed by artist Grace Zong, celebrates the many activities the Book Fair puts together for children and families. This year’s Book Fair will celebrate the literature and culture of China and will take place Nov. 13-20, 2011, at the college’s Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami. The popular Street Fair runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 18-20, with more than 200 exhibitors from around the country selling books in a festive atmosphere.

From left, Madeline Pumariega, president of MDC’s Wolfson Campus; Alina Interian, director of The Center @ MDC; poster artist Ye Hongxing; and MDC President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón.

Despite a warning from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, higher education experts say it is almost impossible for Miami Dade College to lose its accreditation. Miami Dade College president, Dr. Eduardo Padron, has already increased the number of full-time faculty. The number of part-time faculty was the basis for the accreditation warning.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2315461/mdc-not-likely-to-lose-accreditation.html

Join Congresswoman Frederica Wilson today for the "Speakout for Good Jobs Now" Tour in Miami. The event is part of a listening tour in which pro-worker members of Congress listen to YOU about the need for good jobs in our communities.

It's time we stopped giving tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations when working Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus will listen to what YOU have to say and take that back to Washington as we continue to fight to reinvigorate the American Dream — the ability to put in a day’s hard work for good wages and benefits so we can provide our children with a better future. 

Are you dissatisfied about the lack of good jobs and opportunities? This is your chance to tell YOUR STORY to a member of Congress who cares.

Here are the details:

"Speakout for Good Jobs Now Tour" comes to Miami

Saturday July 16th, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Lehman Theater in the Arts Complex

North Campus, Miami-Dade Community College

11380 NW 27th Ave., Miami, FL 33167

Also in attendance will be Representatives Raul Grijalva, Keith Ellison, and Ted Deutch, as well as State Senator Oscar Brayon, State Representative Dwight Bullard, and other community leaders and activists.

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011, representatives from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation visited Miami Dade College (MDC) to announce that they have selected the college to receive funding through its Completion by Design (CBD) program, a five-year project that will engage a select group of high-performing colleges in identifying and implementing innovative solutions to increase the number of college graduates across the nation. The grant recognizes MDC’s role as a trailblazer in developing innovative strategies to support student achievement and degree completion.

Congratulations, Miami Dade!

FILE: Bill Gates and Dr. Eduardo Padron

Miami, FL  – Whether it is recording music, hitting a homerun, improving reading skills, or performing in a play, parents will find dozens of unique summer camps for children of all ages at Miami Dade College (MDC) campuses throughout the county.

Below are some of MDC’s 2011 Summer Camps:  

Art Camp at North Campus

Young campers interested in drawing, painting, and multi-media work can start building their art portfolio in this hands-on arts camp for children ages 12-17. The camp will begin Monday, July 25, with an orientation at 8:30 a.m., and end Friday, August 12. The cost of the camp is $255. There is limited space available. For more information, please call 305-237-1019.

MDC Productions Camp at North Campus

An entertainment production camp designed for aspiring music artists, songwriters, and producers between the ages of 11-14, this camp will give students the opportunity to work on their craft via access to a state-of-the-art recording studio where they will compose, record and produce their own song, as well as choreograph a dance routine for their own music video. An orientation will be held the first day of camp at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, and will end Friday, July 22. The cost is $255. There is limited space available. For more information, please call 305-237-1019.

CSI Miami Camp at North Campus

Students ages 12-17 who want to major in the sciences in the future will get to experience what it takes to work as a professional CSI agent in the field. Spaces are filled on a first come, first serve basis. An orientation will be held the first day of camp at 8:30 a.m. beginning Monday, June 13, and will end Friday, July 1. The cost is $255. For more information, please call 305-237-1019.

LEGO ® Camp at North Campus

These are classes of exploration, problem solving, and risk-taking with a goal of learning and experimenting with how machines work using LEGO® kits. Students will learn a variety of concepts throughout this class, including basic engineering principles, gearing and gear ratios, electric motors and energy, problem solving, and communication skills. There are three different courses, each cost $153, and will be held on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The courses are:  Vehicle Engineering LEGO® Camp (Ages 8-12), beginning Monday, June 13, through Friday, June 17; Collision Cars LEGO® Camp (Ages 8-12) from Monday, June 20, through Friday, June 24; and Jr. Engineering 1 LEGO® Camp (Ages 8-12) from Monday, June 27, through Friday, July 1. For more information, please call 305-237-1019.

Airo Skills Camp at North Campus

Discipline, drive, footwork, agility, strength, and speed are needed to produce a healthy successful athlete. Open to children ages 8 to 14, this athletic skills camp is operated by former NFL athletes Sam Madison, Brian Walker, and others. The cost of the camp is $153 per week and will be held on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Aug. 1-5; Aug. 8-12; and Aug. 15-19. A pre-and-post care session is available for an additional $25 per week. For more information, please call 305-237-1019.

Test Prep/SAT and ACT Boot Camp at North Campus

Students planning to take the SAT and/or the ACT can take this boot camp to prepare in one fell swoop for all aspects of these necessary college entrance exams. The camp will help students boost their scores with strategy exercises, methodologies, skill sets, and practice exams in math, reading, science, and verbal comprehension. Students will need to purchase the Barron’s ACT 15th edition book prior to the camp. The cost of the camp is $266 and will be held Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please call 305-237-1138.

Kids/Teen College at Kendall Campus 

A variety of exciting learning opportunities are offered for children ages 7-12 and teens 13-17 years old. The program begins Monday, June 13, and ends Friday, August 12. Each 15-hour course is a one-week session; each 30-hour course is a two-week session. The classes are held Monday through Friday, three hours each day. The cost for the camp is $110 (one-week class); $179 (two-week class); $289 (three-week class), and $29 for before and after care with lunch. For more information, please call 305-237-2976.  

Wild Things Happen at Kendall Campus

Children ages 5-11 will enjoy activities that include: computers, arts and crafts, reading for fun, pool activities, dancing, indoor games, field trips and more. The program begins Monday, June 13, and ends Friday, August 12. The cost is $153 and lunch/snack is included. For more information, please call 305-237-2161.

Rock Camp USA at Kendall Campus

Now in its 12th year, Rock Camp USA features intensive performance-oriented instruction given by some of the finest professional musicians in the country. Each camp is two weeks long and culminates with the young rockers giving a live performance in front of hundreds of people in their own concert. The cost of the camp is $595 and lunch is not included. For more information, please call 305-237-2976.

Latin Jazz Experience at Hammocks Middle School

Participants will get the chance to develop skills in jazz improvisation, music theory, and gain a better understanding of both traditional jazz and Latin Jazz styles. The campers will be able to make friends, perform in small groups and jam with some of Miami’s top jazz instructors. The following instruments are welcome: piano, bass, guitar, drums, woodwind, brass, strings. The cost is $185 and lunch is not included. For more information, please call 305-237-2976.

Soccer Summer Camp at Kendall Campus

The SunBlazer Team Camp will offer an environment for teams to be trained both technically and tactically in realistic game situations, such as team scrimmages. For more information, please call 305-237-2612.

Susan Summons MDC Motivational Summer Basketball Camp at Kendall Campus

A motivational summer basketball camp for boys and girls ages 6-17, taught by renowned MDC basketball coach Susan Summons. Participants will receive quality instruction in basketball fundamentals, live skills, and guidance on exercise and nutrition. The camp begins Monday, June 13, and ends Friday, June 17. The cost is $150 and includes one t-shirt. For more information, please call 305-237-2612.

Tennis Summer Camp at Kendall Campus

A unique combination of instruction, match play and physical conditioning highlights the Tennis Summer Camp. The program is geared toward children of all ability levels and combines exercises, drills, match play and loads of fun tennis and sporting activities. For more information, please call 305-237-2612.

All the camps will allow children and students to enjoy their summer vacation in a fun and safe environment. Fees are subject to change without notice and courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment. MDC will be closed Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Miami, FL – Miami Dade College (MDC) students are a huge part of why the college shines so brightly nationally. Whether bringing home top prizes in academic competitions or being top student-athletes, MDC students always lead by example. The latest big win for the college was on April 15, 2011 when Wolfson Campus student Britnie Allen received the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s “Technology Student of the Year” award during the Chamber’s annual Technology Leaders of the Year Awards Luncheon at Jungle Island.

Britnie is a sophomore at MDC majoring in Computer Information Systems. She is active in the college’s Earth Ethics Institute, the Student Government Association, and fundraising activities benefitting Haiti. She aspires to lead a major IT corporation in the future. She graduated as valedictorian from Miami Central Senior High School and was a member of the school’s Academy of Information Technology magnet program. Her involvement in the program truly sparked her interest in IT. At the time, she also became involved in the ITWomen organization and became the president of the IT Girls Club.

The Technology Student award was presented by Compuquip Technologies. She was nominated by ITWomen.

MDC Wolfson Campus student Britnie Allen accepts the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s “Technology Student of the Year” award at the Chamber's annual awards luncheon on April 15, 2011.