Latest news with #MiamiDadeCollege
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
FIU has been co-opted by DeSantis' spoils system
Florida colleges In his first months as governor in 2019, Ron DeSantis attacked the process the trustees at Miami Dade College (MDC) used to appoint a replacement for Dr. Eduardo Padron. DeSantis replaced four trustees, then put forward his candidate, Madeline Pumariega. Another search was conducted but she was selected as the new president. This was, unquestionably, DeSantis' power grab of the largest college in the United States. In the past five years, the governor has selected six university presidents, including Jeanette Nuñez at FIU and Ben Sasse at UF. The latest is Manny Diaz, a former teacher, politician and private charter school executive. According to the May 29 Miami Herald article, DeSantis and the University System Board of Governors appointed a new slate of trustees. These appointments are the political plums of the spoils system now in place. A person choosing to accept the offer would have to follow a script DeSantis created that may contain alternative facts. Further, anything the person said in the past would likely have to be retracted to conform with the script. This is now our collective reality. And it's not just happening in education. Lee Jacobs, South Miami War on judges President Trump has declared war on the independent judiciary and the rule of law. Virtually every unfavorable comment he has made on the many rulings against his policies are attacks on the judges who issued the rulings and not on the rulings themselves. The president's rhetoric can be understood as a threat to the rule of law and encouragement to those who think it's okay to ignore or flout any rulings not in accord with their beliefs; that is, to take the law into their own hands. Physical attacks on independent judges are all too foreseeable. It's not a large step from such blatant disrespect of the courts to another Jan. 6 style-event, only this time, the president, as commander-in-chief, can order 'his' military to violently confront those who disagree with him and his minions. Trump's birthday parade, displaying our military might, sadly seems like a great setup for a violent confrontation. The tragedy of Americans spilling Americans' blood on the streets is a real possibility, yet again. Will it be time for an update of 'Four Dead in Ohio' by Neil Young? Leonard Fenn, Coral Gables Tell it straight The May 29 Miami Herald editorial, 'Marco Rubio betrayed Miami's Venezuelans on TPS,' was too gentle and too vanilla. Our U.S. Secretary of State, 'Little' Marco Rubio, is a gutless hypocrite with no backbone and very few principles. Marc A. Kuperman, Miami Animal feeding I've been involved in veterinary medicine for 52 years and have owned a veterinary hospital for 27 years. Our goal has always been to prevent suffering, have compassion, help those who have no voice and focus on the welfare of all animals. I was shocked and appalled at the ordinance that Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado tried to sponsor: a ban on feeding stray cats, dogs and other animals. Since when do politicians say who lives or dies? Starvation is inhumane and there are other solutions. As a resident of this county, I was deeply concerned about this ordinance. Animals such as dogs and cats were failed by human owners. There are other humane methods, such as Trap-Neuter-Return for cats. It works. Palmetto Bay once proposed an ordinance similar to Regalado's, which was withdrawn, and it was rejected due to the efforts of outraged citizens who fought against it. Her ordinance was cruelty to animals. This should not be a political issue and should not be considered or revisited. We do not need leaders like Regalado. Haydee Sanchez, Palmetto Bay High tech schools Re: the May 28 story, 'How Miami-Dade schools are leading 100,000 students into the AI future.' This is wonderful news to read that finally, school districts such as Miami-Dade County Public Schools are embracing technology and doing so in a pedagogically, professional manner. Don Deresz, Miami Be proud, America! On Memorial Day, I thought about a lyric in 'The Star Spangled Banner,' our national anthem, '...oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave...' In past years, I would think, America is strong, invincible! I felt differently on this year's holiday, however. America is polarized. On a recent visit to Washington, D.C., I took a lunch break in the U.S. Senate Office Building cafeteria. A group of diners, wearing MAGA caps, exclaimed somewhat loudly about how President Trump was going to make America great again. Meanwhile, some federal government workers who sat nearby, talked worriedly about the massive government cutbacks and their financial futures. The federal employees moved to another table, away from the MAGA diners, much the way non-smokers would move away from smokers. Both groups, however, fail to realize where America's future and strength lies. It isn't in the stability of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, pension plans or personal property values. Neither does it lie in the shining marble statuary and gleaming sculptures that make Washington beautiful. Our strength lies in the revitalization of the old fashioned values we were taught in school: compassion for one another, reverence for freedom of speech, pride in being American, willingness to be honest with one's self about what's right or wrong and being informed on current events and political views. This means not just going along with whatever wave of popular opinion comes along. There's no guarantee the 'Stars and Stripes' will last forever. There are cracks in the foundation, threatening the freedom of future generations to come. Let's make America proud again! Karin Stahl, North Miami Distorted America Re: the May 19 opinion by Isadora Rangel, 'I was fortunate to become a citizen. Does Trump want people like me in the U.S.?' President Trump has transformed the meaning of America to foreigners and Americans alike in a manner that makes it almost unrecognizable. We're witnessing in real time a president and his administration turn our nation's back on welcoming immigrants from every corner of the globe. From the almost complete suspension of the modern and wildly successful refugee program, revocation of visas for promising foreign students, denial of due process to those threatened with deportation, untimely termination of Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants living in this country who have fled conflict and natural disasters, to legal retribution against state and local officials (including a judge) suspected of not fully cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The president has simply exploited Americans' sympathy for tough immigration measures after years of record migration at the border, only to foster a nastiness and cruelty reserved for enemy combatants in wartime. Instead of swinging the pendulum to the absolute extreme in terms of enforcement priorities, why not recognize that immigrants have historically contributed to the vibrancy of this nation and become proud Americans. Anthony Arnaud, Laguna Niguel, CA Retire already Too many journalists and individuals live their careers and lives in the shadow of President Trump. The oversaturation of this highly controversial, banal president in the media is much, too much. I'm looking forward to the day when Trump's 15 minutes of fame are over. David Myles, Aventura Some day... President Trump said the war in Ukraine was not his, but Biden's and Zelenskyy's. If I am not mistaken, Biden and Zelenskyy did not invade Russia. Trump also said he would end the war in one day. He did not, however, specify what year. Mario Signorello, Port St Lucie
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Scaling Opportunity In Finance: Inclusive Pathways To Impact Investing
Through a new partnership with World Education Services, the Sorenson Impact Institute aims to expand the impact investing pipeline by increasing access to an apprenticeship program that connects students with real-world venture capital experience. Sorenson Impact Institute's student-driven apprenticeship provides hands-on training in venture ... More capital and impact investing. As the impact investing sector continues to grow, so does the opportunity to expand access to careers in the field. The next generation of impact leaders, shaped by their education and lived experience, will heavily influence where capital flows. To nurture a broader and more expansive talent pipeline for the impact investing sector, the Sorenson Impact Institute is partnering with World Education Services (WES) to expand access to its Impact Investing Apprenticeship Program. The partnership will support the Institute's Unlocking Impact Initiative — a hands-on, student-driven apprenticeship that provides training in venture capital and impact investing to students from all backgrounds. With support from WES — a nonprofit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students in the U.S. and Canada — six students from Miami Dade College and Bowie State University joined the 15 student interns from the University of Utah in the 2024-2025 apprenticeship program. Since 2013, more than 500 student interns have helped to deploy upwards of $62 million into early-stage companies and funds in health equity, climate resilience, workforce development, and financial inclusion. Student interns also have networking opportunities as they make professional and personal connections through the program. Nomzana Augustin, Associate Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, said the organization's new partnership with the Institute reflects their shared commitment to impact investing as a tool to ensure capital reaches underfunded communities. 'Both WES and Sorensen seek to see new, diverse leaders in finance and investing, which can help shift how capital flows,' she said. 'Sorensen's program has proven impact in creating opportunities for investment leaders, better reflecting the talent that exists. WES is funding the expansion of this program to reach more students who might otherwise be excluded from this kind of opportunity.' In her role at WES, Augustin drives the fund's external partnerships, strategy, and initiatives with funders and other ecosystem partners to advance economic mobility for all. Shannon Meyer, Operations & Student Engagement Associate at the Institute, said WES is an exceptional partner that helps with guidance on updates, recruiting, and other elements of the apprenticeship program. 'They have valuable insights on how to make the recruiting process more accessible to historically underrepresented students so that talented students from all backgrounds can take part in our program.' In this Q&A, Augustin and Meyer discuss the apprenticeship program, its place in their organizational strategies, and their hopes for its influence on the impact investing sector. Nomzana Augustin: As a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to advancing economic opportunity for all, WES recognizes the importance of empowering new leaders and creating career pathways for individuals with lived experience. Through this partnership, we're excited to see Sorensen continue to nurture young talent from underrepresented backgrounds, opening doors to careers in impact investing and venture capital. By supporting future investing leaders, we can help create a more representative impact investing ecosystem and, in turn, more inclusive economies. Developing representative leadership in finance will help bring impact investing closer to overlooked communities. Shannon Meyer: WES's mission to create pathways to economic opportunity and mobility for underserved communities complements one of the main objectives of our student program: to equip students with the skills and experience necessary to secure competitive jobs or internships following the program. The program immerses students in experiential learning opportunities, equipping them with the tools and experience needed to be successful in the workforce. Additionally, it provides opportunities for each student to network and build social capital with staff, founders, and fellow students across the country. These types of opportunities help build a foundational framework that creates a pipeline of future investment professionals that better reflects the talent that exists. SM: Our partnership with WES has allowed us to make the impact investing student program a paid internship for the first time. This helps us break down one of the barriers for students who might otherwise be unable to accept an opportunity like this due to needing to hold a paying job to support themselves or their families. It also ensures that students can take advantage of the learning opportunities provided by this program regardless of their economic status. This partnership has also enabled us to engage the student cohort in more travel opportunities, like attending conferences or pitch events. NA: The apprenticeship program goes beyond the impact investing field, offering a unique career launchpad. Importantly, the paid program enables students to build social capital for long-term career guidance and mentorship from peers and alumni — for example, at events like SOCAP and with the Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab. Students who participate in the program gain new skills that offer opportunities to work in finance, consulting, investment banking, and social impact. Compensation for many of these jobs is generous and can place students well above the national average starting salary. This kind of experience is especially beneficial to students from underrepresented backgrounds who can transform their lives and communities with the resources and opportunities provided through the program. SM: This partnership helps advance our shared workforce development goals by providing students with experiential learning opportunities from day one. Students are tasked with projects and conducting due diligence that ultimately leads to the deal team choosing whether to invest in an early-stage company or not. Allowing students to have hands-on experience with real investment decisions — and real money — before they even graduate college is a massive opportunity, especially for those interested in pursuing careers in impact investing or venture capital. As we look into the future, we're excited about the opportunity to build out our employer network and career pathing for future students with support from WES. This will help drive forward a strong, talented pipeline of future leaders in the industry. NA: Students from various backgrounds build skills, social capital, and their career pathways through this program, which is unique in the impact investing field. We aspire to see more institutions and employers who are open to hiring professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. At WES, we believe that unlocking new talent is not a pipeline problem, but that there needs to be interest and commitment to an inclusive workforce, shifting employer practices. Hopefully, this program can inspire others to open doors to career opportunities for emerging leaders. NA: When WES launched the WES Mariam Assefa Fund in 2019, it was with WES's commitment to advancing participatory grantmaking and investing. This means that decision-making power for funding is given to the communities who know best about the issues affecting them. For example, in 2022, we partnered with Common Future to launch a participatory investing action lab with 16 leaders from eight institutions. During a yearlong initiative, we tested participatory strategies through a collaborative fund and compiled our learnings into a toolkit for other institutions looking to do this work. Investment decisions are rarely made by the communities the capital aims to serve, and participatory investing seeks to change this, leading to more informed decisions. Through our partnership with Sorensen, we hope to share ideas on how to ensure that students are involved in the design of the program as well as investment decisions. The students can bring fresh perspectives and new knowledge on the solutions that could be impactful for communities. For example, if a Bowie State student from a low-income household joins the program, they can share their observations on housing and financial inclusion, informing the decision-making process of an investment in their community or a community similar to theirs, based on their lived experience. SM: WES's approach ensures that programs are designed to meet the actual needs of the communities they serve. Within our program, students are actively involved in program design, bringing fresh perspectives and constructive feedback to me each semester. Our staff team is constantly learning from each other and, more importantly, from our students. We leverage the insights and experiences of our students to ensure that we're continuously adapting our program to be the best it can be for the next generation. SM: Partnerships like this are especially important because they bring together diverse expertise and knowledge to help address some of the challenges we see in today's world. The impact investing ecosystem is constantly evolving, and partnerships like this can drive innovation to help build a more comprehensive and resilient economy for generations to come. NA: It's important that our economies and communities better reflect the country we live in. The impact investing ecosystem will benefit from including leaders of different backgrounds who can help determine where funds go, ensuring that historically neglected communities are no longer overlooked. WES looks forward to telling the stories of the student participants and how the program impacts their careers, lives, and communities. We encourage interested students to apply to the apprenticeship program, and for people to spread the word to promising candidates. Further, we hope this initiative can inspire similar programs and opportunities for more underrepresented talent to gain experience and enter careers in impact investing and venture capital.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A degree in determination: Miami mom graduates college alongside her son
For Haivyl Lopez, Mother's Day this year is more than just a holiday. It's a full-circle moment. After more than two decades of perseverance that began with a decision to leave her homeland, Lopez, 48, walked across the stage at Miami Dade College's graduation ceremony on April 26 to receive her long-awaited bachelor's degree. What made the moment unforgettable was who walked beside her—her 20-year-old son, Sebastian. 'It was really emotional,' said Lopez, who proudly told the faculty on stage that her son was walking behind her. Their dual graduation fell into place with the help of Lopez's longtime college advisor, Jeanette Campos, who has supported her for more than a decade. During a meeting to talk about Lopez's final credits, Campos realized Lopez's son was just one class short of graduating. Campos registered him right there, and he ended up taking five classes that semester so he could walk alongside his mom. 'She's been in school longer than I've been alive,' Sebastian Vera said. 'I was just super, super happy for her ... super proud of her.' It was a milestone more than 20 years in the making. Born and raised in Matanzas, Cuba, Lopez was just three months shy of earning her degree in biology at Instituto Superior Pedagógico Juan Marinello when she and her husband made the difficult decision to flee the country. She was 22. 'With the issues and the Cuban government, if you graduate, you're pretty much literally handcuffed,' she said. 'So we decided to leave.' From Cuba to Spain and finally to the United States, Lopez landed in Miami in July 2000 with no car, no license and limited English. She biked to work at a local grocery store in Allapattah, took jobs in bakeries and cosmetic factories and enrolled in English courses at Miami Dade College. Eventually, she was hired as a bank teller at Colonial Bank, beginning a career that would span more than two decades and multiple bank mergers. Today, Lopez is a senior vice president and wealth business advisor at Truist Bank, advising high-net-worth business clients across South Florida. And yet, despite professional success, one goal remained incomplete: her college degree. 'What kept me motivated was that I had three months left to graduate,' Lopez said. 'Not being able to finish made me feel incomplete as a person.' Her academic path was anything but linear. She studied while raising children, through a divorce, during her son's brain surgery at age 14 and after the death of her ex-husband, who was killed while cycling on the Rickenbacker Causeway in 2022. Still, Lopez pressed on, often taking just one class per semester while working and parenting full time. 'I had to build a life,' she said. 'Pay bills. I had kids and I was building a successful career. But I never stopped taking classes.' Vera said that when he was younger, he couldn't grasp the gravity of his mother's situation and only really opened his eyes to it after his father passed. 'I was able to kind of realize, like, whoa, this woman has been grinding her whole life,' Vera said. 'She's gone nonstop for the past 20 years that I've been able to watch her.' Lopez's father died when she was 13, something she said helped her understand and navigate her own sons' loss. 'My father was my best friend,' said Vera. 'I could talk to him about anything.' Through it all, education remained a pillar for Lopez. 'My mom and dad were professionals,' she said. 'They always told me, 'What you learn, no one can take away from you.' She eventually switched from biology to a degree that aligned more closely with her career: a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, with a focus on Leadership and Management Innovation. 'I have a leadership personality,' she said. While she was crossing the academic finish line, so was her son. A graduate of John A. Ferguson Senior High, he completed his Associate in Arts in Finance at Miami Dade College and is now heading to Florida International University. He also manages the custom upholstery business his father left behind, serving as CEO at just 20 years old. 'I tell young people all the time: you can do everything at the same time,' Lopez said. 'You just have to be consistent, know what you want and take baby steps.' This Mother's Day, the Lopez family plans to gather at her Kendall home, grilling in the backyard, surrounded by dogs, cousins and an 84-year-old matriarch who made education a family priority. It won't be a fancy affair, but it will be full of pride. After all, this Mother's Day, Lopez isn't just Mom. She's a graduate.
Miami Herald
10-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
A degree in determination: Miami mom graduates college alongside her son
For Haivyl Lopez, Mother's Day this year is more than just a holiday. It's a full-circle moment. After more than two decades of perseverance that began with a decision to leave her homeland, Lopez, 48, walked across the stage at Miami Dade College's graduation ceremony on April 26 to receive her long-awaited bachelor's degree. What made the moment unforgettable was who walked beside her—her 20-year-old son, Sebastian. 'It was really emotional,' said Lopez, who proudly told the faculty on stage that her son was walking behind her. Their dual graduation fell into place with the help of Lopez's longtime college advisor, Jeanette Campos, who has supported her for more than a decade. During a meeting to talk about Lopez's final credits, Campos realized Lopez's son was just one class short of graduating. Campos registered him right there, and he ended up taking five classes that semester so he could walk alongside his mom. 'She's been in school longer than I've been alive,' Sebastian Vera said. 'I was just super, super happy for her ... super proud of her.' It was a milestone more than 20 years in the making. A journey interrupted Born and raised in Matanzas, Cuba, Lopez was just three months shy of earning her degree in biology at Instituto Superior Pedagógico Juan Marinello when she and her husband made the difficult decision to flee the country. She was 22. 'With the issues and the Cuban government, if you graduate, you're pretty much literally handcuffed,' she said. 'So we decided to leave.' From Cuba to Spain and finally to the United States, Lopez landed in Miami in July 2000 with no car, no license and limited English. She biked to work at a local grocery store in Allapattah, took jobs in bakeries and cosmetic factories and enrolled in English courses at Miami Dade College. Eventually, she was hired as a bank teller at Colonial Bank, beginning a career that would span more than two decades and multiple bank mergers. Today, Lopez is a senior vice president and wealth business advisor at Truist Bank, advising high-net-worth business clients across South Florida. And yet, despite professional success, one goal remained incomplete: her college degree. 'Made me feel incomplete' 'What kept me motivated was that I had three months left to graduate,' Lopez said. 'Not being able to finish made me feel incomplete as a person.' Her academic path was anything but linear. She studied while raising children, through a divorce, during her son's brain surgery at age 14 and after the death of her ex-husband, who was killed while cycling on the Rickenbacker Causeway in 2022. Still, Lopez pressed on, often taking just one class per semester while working and parenting full time. 'I had to build a life,' she said. 'Pay bills. I had kids and I was building a successful career. But I never stopped taking classes.' Vera said that when he was younger, he couldn't grasp the gravity of his mother's situation and only really opened his eyes to it after his father passed. 'I was able to kind of realize, like, whoa, this woman has been grinding her whole life,' Vera said. 'She's gone nonstop for the past 20 years that I've been able to watch her.' Lopez's father died when she was 13, something she said helped her understand and navigate her own sons' loss. 'My father was my best friend,' said Vera. 'I could talk to him about anything.' Through it all, education remained a pillar for Lopez. 'My mom and dad were professionals,' she said. 'They always told me, 'What you learn, no one can take away from you.' She eventually switched from biology to a degree that aligned more closely with her career: a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, with a focus on Leadership and Management Innovation. 'I have a leadership personality,' she said. While she was crossing the academic finish line, so was her son. A graduate of John A. Ferguson Senior High, he completed his Associate in Arts in Finance at Miami Dade College and is now heading to Florida International University. He also manages the custom upholstery business his father left behind, serving as CEO at just 20 years old. 'I tell young people all the time: you can do everything at the same time,' Lopez said. 'You just have to be consistent, know what you want and take baby steps.' This Mother's Day, the Lopez family plans to gather at her Kendall home, grilling in the backyard, surrounded by dogs, cousins and an 84-year-old matriarch who made education a family priority. It won't be a fancy affair, but it will be full of pride. After all, this Mother's Day, Lopez isn't just Mom. She's a graduate.
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Can a Miami college student be the next Steve Jobs? It could start here
Business Can a Miami college student be the next Steve Jobs? It could start here When Steve Jobs was 12, he called Hewlett Packard co-founder Bill Hewlett — whose number was in the phone book and lived nearby in Palo Alto, California — to ask him if he had any spare parts for a frequency counter he was building. Hewlett laughed — then gave him the parts. And that summer, he offered the future Apple founder an internship on the HP assembly line. Now, as tech professionals keep moving to South Florida, Miami Dade College wants students to get the same chance. Way to a tech job Launch of Miami Startup ecosystem Internship Program at IDEA Center at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus on May 5, 2025. Courtesy of MDC/Giorgio Viera On May 5, MDC launched an initiative led by The Idea Center at the college that will offer at least 200 students $20-an-hour internships at Miami tech startups and small businesses with growth potential. Interns will work 8 to 12 weeks at one of at least 50 participating employers. Miami Dade College said the small to midsize companies focus on tech, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing. The Miami Startup Ecosystem Internship Program has $1 million in funding, largely from financial firms Blackstone and JPMorganChase. The initiative will be evaluated after two years. Miami Dade College and the participating employer will each cover 50% of a student's salary. 'Students with paid internships are twice as likely to land a job after graduation compared to non-interns,' Maura Pally, executive director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, said in a statement. 'We're doubling down on our commitment to their success and to Miami's future.' Pally sees Miami as a 'hub for innovation and growth for years to come.' Application information Launch of Miami Startup ecosystem Internship Program at IDEA Center at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus on May 5, 2025. Courtesy of MDC/Giorgio Viera Every student at MDC, which serves over 125,000, is eligible for an internship. To apply, call 305-237-3141. Internship information also will be added to MDC's website. Students who are selected can also participate in the Blackstone LaunchPad summer professional development series, with workshops, lectures and networking events. That's a way for the typical low-income and middle-income students enrolled at MDC to gain 'social capital,' the program said. School and county officials attended an event on May 5 at MDC's Wolfson campus to introduce the initiative. 'At Miami Dade College, we are committed to providing students with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for the jobs of the future,' said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. 'By leveraging public-private partnerships and a collective impact approach, we are helping students secure meaningful career opportunities that benefit both them and the businesses that drive Miami's economy.' VS Vinod Sreeharsha Miami Herald Email this person Vinod Sreeharsha covers tourism trends in South Florida for the Miami Herald.
