Women's History Month at MDC Hialeah Campus

Professor of Mathematics and Statistics courses, interested in technical, social and environmental topics, data analysis and early modeling. Dr. Bestard's instruction often incorporates Problem and Project-based learning that impacts the community and the fields of employability for students. Dr. Bestard's background is in Engineering and his instruction is directed towards quantitative reasoning, scaffolding structured thinking, and solving problems. Dr. Bestard also incorporates service-learning in several courses and often collaborates with Science Clubs and Global initiatives, including the Hialeah campus' Global Citizenship Project.

Olga Canedo Ramirez began her career at MDC in 2019. She is an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology at the Hialeah Campus. Professor Canedo holds a Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering in Programming from Mexico Technologic Institute. She has a Master of Information Systems from Arturo Rosenblueth Foundation and holds a Higher Education Ph.D. from America's University. In the year 2020, Professor Canedo was certified as Google IT Automation with Python Professional and completed the accreditation process in the different required instruction modalities such as Blended and Online. Professor Canedo has worked as a tutor around technology and knows closely the expectations of students.

As the Department Chairperson, Dr. Castro provides academic leadership to the Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She works closely with faculty and staff to develop innovative programs that leverage the knowledge of our faculty to develop academic growth for students. Dr. Castro deeply values what adjuncts bring to our campus community and she looks forward to working closely with you during the academic year.

Dr. Evelyn Diaz has worked for Miami Dade College for twenty-eight years. She presently serves as Professor of Psychology at the Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of Miami Dade College at the Hialeah Campus. She has an BA in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, an MA in Educational Psychology from New York University, an MS in Psychology and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Caribbean Center for Advanced Studies. She has over 30 years’ experience in mental health, administration, and academia.

José A. Donis studied at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in music history and literature. He furthered his studies by completing a Master of Music in Historical Musicology at Florida State. The focus of his studies centered around the music of Spain from the twelfth to the twentieth century.  His master's thesis examines the musicological influences in Joaquín Rodrigo's guitar concertos. A copy of Professor Donis's thesis resides in Ediciones Joaquín Rodrigo in Madrid, Spain for research and consultation.  Professor Donis studied the classical guitar with esteemed guitar professors, including Bruce Holzman at Florida State. Professor Donis teaches humanities, music, and philosophy at the Hialeah Campus.

Christina M. Dillon is a Learning Resources Professional for Miami Dade College, Learning Resources, at the Hialeah Campus. Ms. Dillon received her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Florida Atlantic University and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Library Information Science from Florida State University. Prior to joining Miami Dade College in 2016, she worked for the Hialeah Public Libraries, first as Collection Development Librarian and later as Library Services Supervisor. In addition to her current position, she has also served as an instructor of Intro to Online Research.

As the Hialeah Campus Director of the Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy (iCED), Dir. El Tall leads and oversees campus operations for the Institute. The position is responsible for managing the campus’ academic service-learning program, the Civic Action Scorecard, voter engagement, the FWS America Reads program, student volunteerism, as well as a myriad of other community engaged learning programming and events. Dir. El Tall also develops and fosters community partnerships and promotes civic engagement and changemaking at the College.

As the Administrative Assistant, Ms. Larose provides support to the Campus President to implement various projects and initiatives. Her strong organizational skills ensure the effective operation of the office. Ms. Larose also manages communications on behalf of the Campus President’s Office and assists other departments as needed.

Dr. Manuel Rosa earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Puerto Rican and Hispanic Caribbean Studies, a Master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration from New York University, and a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University. He has worked in higher education for over 25 years in both Student and Academic Affairs. Throughout his career he has facilitated over 100 interactive seminars and is the self-proclaimed most “electrifying” higher administrator in higher education.

Dr. Ruiz is an experienced higher education professor with a Doctorate of Philosophy focused in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. He is skilled in teaching face-to-face and on-line courses, designing and leading Study Abroad Programs, public speaking, research. Dr. Ruiz is fluent in Spanish and Italian.

Dr. M. Shakil, Ph.D., CStat (Royal Statistical Society, UK), PStat (American Statistical Association, USA), is a Professor of Mathematics, Miami Dade College, Hialeah Campus, Miami, Florida, USA. He has been teaching mathematics and statistics courses at Miami Dade College for many years. He has authored and co-authored two books and many research papers in reputable journals. His research interests are Distribution Theory, Characterizations of Distributions, Statistical Inferences, Record Values, and Numerical Analysis. He is a member of many international learned societies, and associated with the editorial boards of various journals. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Polygon, an electronic journal of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of Miami Dade College, Hialeah Campus.

As Student Life Director, Mr. Small is committed to connecting students to the Hialeah campus community through our various clubs and organizations. Through intentional programming and events, he strives to assist students in developing leadership skills necessary to take them to the next level. 

Allison Thomas Johnson is an Assistant Professor of English at Miami Dade College’s Hialeah campus. She earned her Ph.D. in English at the University of Miami, where her dissertation on the rhetoric of friendship in early modern English women’s writing earned the 2010 Best Dissertation in the Humanities Award. She has published a book chapter on the poet Isabella Whitney and presented at numerous professional conferences. Dr. Thomas Johnson incorporates inquiry-based research, service learning, and opportunities for creative expression into her English composition and literature courses. She is the Hialeah Faculty Lead for the Humanities Edge and serves on the OER Advisory Council and the Student Interdisciplinary Planning Committee.

Mr. Williams provides academic leadership to the Business and Engineering and Technology Departments and serves as an integral member of the College and Campus administrative team. He helps facilitate learning, quality teaching, scholarships and services. Mr. Williams also provides support and advice in the collective bargaining agreement.