2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Miami Dade College (MDC) is the largest and most diverse public college in the United States and the largest hispanic-serving institution, conferring more associate degrees to Hispanic students than any other college. Nationwide MDC has the highest enrollment of Hispanic undergraduates (81,398) and ranks third for Black non-Hispanic undergraduate enrollment, reflecting the rich racial and ethnic diversity of South Florida.

The Rebooting through Emerging technology Programs (REP) at MDC aims to address the critical national demand for skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians in an economy increasingly driven by technology and innovation. The program supports students, starting as sophomores, pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in the targeted emerging technology (EmTech) fields, focusing on increase retention and completion rates and increasing workforce placement for REP Scholars. The program completed its second year at the end of the Summer 2024 term.

The program’s quantitative goals for its four-year duration include enrolling 60 REP Scholars, attaining a graduation rate of at least 80% (48 students) in baccalaureate programs, and ensuring that at least 50% (24 students) of retained scholars secure employment in the technology industry upon graduation. The targeted EmTech programs at MDC include cybersecurity, data analytics, and information systems technology (IST).

To achieve these objectives, the REP initiative adopts a cohort-based approach designed to foster a supportive academic and professional environment. Key program interventions include mentorship by faculty members with industry expertise, financial literacy education, workshops focused on workforce and graduate school readiness, opportunities for summer undergraduate research and internship, and supplemental industry certifications in AI and Cloud technologies. Furthermore, the program provides financial and personal support to scholars, enabling them to reduce their external work commitment and prioritize their academic pursuits. Despite this support, students continue to face challenges in balancing program demands with personal and professional responsibilities due to ongoing financial and economic challenges.

Program impact was assessed through surveys administered to the initial 2023 cohort of 48 students and the growing 2024 cohort of 61 students. Findings indicate significant success, with over 80% of students reporting high confidence in engaging in class discussions and collaborating with peers. Additionally, 64% expressed satisfaction with mentorship, citing it played an important role in fostering their sense of belonging. Nearly 90% of scholars felt supported by faculty and peers. However, challenges remain, as some students reported difficulties in forming meaningful friendships and expressed a need for improved mentorship quality.