Dr. Miriam Frances Abety, Miami Dade College, Eduardo Padron Campus, Psychology and Student Life Skills, Lead Faculty for Dual-Language Honors College. Dr. Abety has been teaching higher education for the past 15 years in a full-time capacity, and about 4 years as an Adjunct Professor. In 2011, she earned an Endowed Teaching Chair Award, and just recently, was awarded an Honoree Mention for the Spirit of Service Award in Florida for including her students in Service Learning. She has received various professional development credits and is presently engaged in Differential Instruction as an “expert” in training faculty. She and the co-facilitator of this workshop have attended various trainings and have themselves performed trainings to other faculty at Miami Dade College. At present, they have developed a web-enhanced workshop to help other faculty learn about DI through e-learning methods. She is an experienced trainer in psychology for professional counselors, therapists, and other counseling professionals, having designed most of the training workshops for employees of a community mental health center. She is engaged in many College and Community activities.
Alejandra Almada Martinez is a young lady with a passion for the written word. Born and raised in Mexico, she moved to Miami seven years ago. Ever since then, she’s been active in her pursuit of knowledge and culture, embodying a true multicultural upbringing. During high school, she was devoted to her school’s literary magazine, and her efforts resulted in a World Languages Silver Knight Honorable Mention. She’s also a lifelong storyteller, and her fiction portfolio earned a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. This year, she was Urbana’s Podcast Director and loved it.
Marian Bulnes came to the United States with her mom and brother five years ago from Cuba. During her first year of college she was involved with the Phi Theta Kappa club, and volunteered for causes like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, achieving over fifty hours of community service. This year, she was Urbana’s co-Editor-in-Chief and was awarded as the FCSAA Publications Division Student of the Month for September. Marian plans to transfer to a four-year university to attain her bachelor’s degree in English and attend Law school to pursue a legal profession.
My name is Shayna Cervantes. I was born and raised in Miami. My parents are originally from Colombia. I am a student in the Padron Campus- School of Education pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Student Education. I have worked with Exceptional students and realized this is the career I want to choose. I currently teach a Kindergarten class in a small private school. I have been working with children for 7 years and it is truly my passion. When I am not studying or teaching, I coach Cheerleading and Tumbling. My favorite subjects are History and Language Arts. Some of my hobbies include going to the movies, going to museums, and learning new things.
I earned my PhD in Biology at Florida International University (FIU); I am an assistant professor at Miami Dade College Padrón Campus and the former president of The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Miami Blue Chapter, a nonprofit organization dedicated to butterfly conservation and outreach. My colleague, Alban Delamarre, is a PhD candidate in Computer Engineering at FIU. He develops virtual classrooms to help transition early career teachers into real classrooms. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce teacher turnover in schools. Our professional life goals are to understand and preserve the entomological and botanical world, engage local communities through service-learning and inquiry-based activities, and empower people to be curious.
Tommy Demos is an Assistant Professor of Film, Television, & Digital Production who earned an MFA in Film Production from the University of Miami in 2010. He has been teaching blended courses in video editing, motion graphics, and animation for over 9 years in the School of Entertainment & Design Technology at Miami Dade College. He maintains three Adobe Educator credentials and three industry certifications in Adobe software. As a certified Adobe Education Trainer (AET), he provides training on Adobe tools and solutions to individuals and institutions in the education space.
Isabel M. Duque is a native Floridian and a daughter of exiled Cuban immigrants. She has a Master's Degree in Library Science, and a Bachelor's Degree in English with a minor in Film studies. Isabel has a background in both academic and public libraries, as well as teaching English literature in public schools. Her life’s work is to transform the library landscape in higher education, create a more inclusive, interdisciplinary curriculum and making curiosity contagious.
Isabel’s areas of interest are in storytelling, critical pedagogy, regenerative culture, and liberation studies, all of which are avenues to developing multi-literacies, community, and self.
Omar Figueras is a Miami native, has an MFA in Writing from Spalding University, and is an Instructor of English, Literature, and Creative Writing at Padrón Campus. He has published work in Penumbra Literary Magazine and Composite Arts Magazine, and Candlewick Press published his essay, "Student Sacrifices: Massacre at La Plaza de las Tres Culturas" September 2018. January 2019, Figueras received a Key West Literary Seminar Teacher & Librarian Scholarship. At present, he is completing new work based on his experiences growing up in Hialeah and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Professor Tricia Foster has an MA in English Literature and has been working at Miami Dade College since 2012. She teaches English Composition 1 (ENC1101), English Composition 2 (ENC1102), and Introduction to Literature (LIT2000). She was recently awarded the President's Innovation Grant at Miami Dade College for her work on developmental modules that run concurrent with core classes to help students succeed in their freshman year. She also presented at the first Humanities Edge sponsored Student Writing Workshop at Miami Dade College.
Juan Martinez is the Vice President of Community Involvement at the Sigma Zeta Honor Society, at the Padron Campus of Miami Dade College. He is a Biomedical Engineering major with the aspiration of becoming a Researcher in the area of genetics. The 2020 Summer Semester is his third semester at the Honors College at Miami Dade. Juan plans to transfer to his next institution, during the 2021 Fall semester. Once, he has earned his Associate Degree from Miami Dade College.
Dr. Marlene Morales is a professor in the School of Education at Miami Dade College teaching science, technology, diversity, and special education courses. Her background includes providing equitable science teaching practices to diverse learners. She is a strong proponent of project-based experiential learning experiences. In 2018, Dr. Morales was awarded the competitive President's Innovation Fund that encourages and supports MDC faculty innovators in develop evidence-based learning models. Finally, Dr. Morales volunteers at Everglades National Park in the Every Kid in a Park Program.
My name is Bryan Pineda, I was born and raised in Honduras. My high school institution was Miami Senior High School here I graduated summa cum laude. I recently finished my associates degree in Chemistry from Miami Dade College Padrón Campus with the highest degree honors and will be transferring to finish my bachelors degree in Microbiology and Cell Science. I have participated in different science related experiences that have made me develop a greater interest in the science field as a career such as the Peer-Led Team Learning program. I aspire to complete a PhD in Biology to later become a Medical Scientist in order to conduct different studies.
I was born in Venezuela and came to the United States in 2016. Before entering High School, I have always been curious about our surroundings and what makes our Universe exist. I graduated from Ronald W. Reagan Senior High, and currently, I attend the Honors College at Eduardo J. Padron Campus. Fortunately, I became the Sigma Zeta Honors Society President and I am very passionate about research development.
Curious, ambitious, and resilient are some of the characteristics that represent me. I’m Barbara Silvera Ramirez, a Mass Communications major and a proud alumni of Miami Dade Honors College; where I received my associates in arts. I will be continuing my education at Emerson College in the Public Relations path. Some of my passions involve being politically active in my community, which is why I started a political and social awareness club in Miami Dade College. Apart from that I truly enjoy combining my passion for communicating with social activism by spreading awareness on issues that affect us and informing the masses. I aspire to one day use the skills I earn to combat injustices in my home country, Venezuela.
I started my studies at a Science High school institute in Matanzas, Cuba. I moved to the United States three years ago and finished my high school at Miami, Florida. I’m a computer science major from the Honors Fellowship at Miami Dade College. I am at my third semester at college where I’ve strived academically in my classes and contributed to help my community. I am continuously preparing myself with challenging classes in order to transfer to a prestigious University. I believe software development to be the leading future of society.
Laura Santos is a first-generation immigrant originally from Honduras who has a deep passion for challenging the status quo and improving her community. Emigrated to the United States in 2014 and became really invested in politics and economics with an aspiration to pursue law with public policy; thus, completing a degree in political science. As an orphan, she holds deep interest in social policy in order to improve the system and infrastructure for those who have undergone similar situations.
Emily Andrea Sendin is a professor of English, literature, and leadership in her twenty-first year teaching at Miami Dade College, Eduardo J. Padrón Campus. Prof. Sendin is an Endowed Teaching Chair and a Fulbright Scholar. She is also an alumna of the National Hispana Leadership Institute's Executive Leadership Program. She holds certificates from the Center for Creative Leadership and the Harvard Kennedy School. In 2012, she was named Florida Campus Contact Service-Learning Faculty of the Year for the Florida College Sector. Prof. Sendin earned a B.A. and M.A. in English with a concentration in Women's Studies from Florida International University. She serves as a mentor in the Earth Ethics Institute and teaches GSELS courses. She is also a service-learning faculty coordinator for the Institute of Civic Engagement and Democracy. Prof. Sendin is the founding advisor of Urbana, the award-winning literary and arts magazine of the Padrón Campus, currently on its thirteenth volume. Her passions are teaching and service.
Dr. José Sebastián Terneus is an Assistant Professor of English at Miami Dade College's Padron campus. He received his doctoral degree in Postcolonial Anglophone Literature from Arizona State University in 2018. His college composition courses revolve around service-learning projects that focus on sustainability, climate change, and social justice in Miami.
Giselle Valdes was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States at 13 years old. Experiencing dictatorship ignited her desire to counteract its infamous impact on oppressed societies. Pursuing Political Science is her tool to advocate for underrepresented minorities. She is a passionate student, immersed in global issues. Giselle became the Editor-in-Chief of Urbana magazine, which became a symbol of empowerment and hope. Simultaneously, she joined the Student Government Association as Historian to protect student’s rights. Her leadership not only highlights her degree of competence, but it rather fuels collaboration. Her kindness brings awareness, advocating for inclusion in activism.
Professor Zayas is an experienced Certified K-12, Educator with a Specialty in working with Students with Disabilities in Standard Educational Settings. Her educational journey began as a Bilingual Educator and she has been awarded the “Cervantes Teaching Recognition” as a Bilingual Educator. She is employed by the Miami-Dade Public School System for the past 22 years as an Instructor. In addition, she is credentialed as an ESOL Endorsed and Reading Endorsed. She has participated in many roles and committees throughout her teacher career including Bilingual Department Chair and Special Education Chair. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education with a Masters in Special Education and Educational Leadership Courses and she has taken various for- credit courses beyond her Master’s Degree. She facilitates Blackboard Blended classes as well as face-to-face classes. Professor Zayas is actively involved with The Faculty of Teaching and Learning, a POGIL writing coach, DI Faculty expert and continues to attend and facilitate various professional development opportunities including earning the ACUE Credential-Association of University Educations, which is endorsed by the American Education Association.