Nearly 100 student leaders at Miami Dade College — the highest total out of 1,400 colleges, universities and high schools nationwide — applied to serve with City Year, an organization created 20 years ago on the belief that young people in service can be a powerful resource for addressing our nation's most pressing issues.


“When City Year’s recruitment office called to give us the news, we were ecstatic,” said Josh Young, director of MDC’s Center for Community Involvement, which is responsible for all service-learning activities and serves as the college’s clearinghouse for students, faculty and staff interested in civic engagement and service.

“Our students applied to serve with City Year in greater numbers than from any other educational institution in the nation. This is quite an accomplishment and speaks to the strong desire to serve others, as well as MDC’s overall commitment to public service,” Young said.

The MDC students selected for positions with City Year will work as tutors, mentors and role models to help children in grades K-12 stay in school and on track.

In their service work, they will also help transform schools and communities across the U.S., as well as through international affiliates in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, England.

Additionally, the students will develop their civic leadership and organizational skills which can be used during their lifetime of community service.

City Year, one of the nation’s most successful and effective national service programs, expanded to Miami three years ago with assistance from MDC. College President Eduardo J. Padrón served on its Miami Champion’s Committee and Wolfson Campus President Madeline Pumariega currently serves on its Miami Board.

MDC also hosts City Year’s Young Heroes program, as well as its other community programs.