Current Position and Past Experience
Breaking through barriers and making history, Madeline Pumariega is the first female president to lead Miami Dade College (MDC). Her passion for innovation in higher education was born out of her own experiences, first as student and then as a longtime administrator at MDC.

Pumariega prioritizes working with business partners to identify the skills needed in key industries and tailoring higher education programs to match those needs. Her transformative approach accelerates the ability of graduates to enter the workforce immediately upon the completion of their coursework.

Prior to becoming MDC’s President, Pumariega was appointed the first female and Hispanic chancellor of the Florida College System (FCS). In that role, she designed and implemented strategies to keep college accessible and affordable for Floridians – especially in high-demand job fields. In 2019, she became the executive vice president and provost of Tallahassee Community College, where her innovative approaches advanced the College’s three core divisions: academic affairs, student affairs and workforce development.

She also previously served as president of Take Stock in Children, a statewide non-profit focused on breaking the cycle of poverty by helping students complete their high school education and advance into post-secondary education and careers.

Education, Honors and Achievements
Pumariega holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Florida Atlantic University. She is also a Doctor of Philosophy Candidate in Community College Leadership at Barry University.

Personal Details and Community Involvement
Pumariega is part of the Jobs for the Future Board, the Miami Foundation Board, the Florida Prepaid College Foundation Board, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, and a member of the Orange Bowl Committee.

Madeline loves spending time with family and enjoying the great Miami weather!

Connect
You can connect with Madeline on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram