Madeline Pumariega

Madeline Pumariega is a trailblazer in higher education, serving as the first female president appointed to lead Miami Dade College (MDC), the nation's largest educational institution. Before assuming the presidency at MDC, Pumariega made history as the first female and Hispanic chancellor of the Florida College System (FCS). 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. In 2019, Pumariega became the executive vice president and provost of Tallahassee Community College. A visionary leader with a passion for education and workforce development, under President Pumariega’s presidency at Miami Dade College, she has secured more than $100 million in funding. Dedicated to shaping higher education to meet the evolving needs of industries, Pumariega prioritizes collaboration with business partners to align educational programs with workforce demands, ensuring talent is prepared for the future of work. In addition to her role at MDC, Madeline Pumariega continues to make a profound impact on education at local, state and national levels, serving on the Board of American Council on Education and serving as Chair on the Board of the Florida Prepaid Foundation. In addition, Pumariega is the First Vice Chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Orange Bowl Committee.