Eduardo J. Padrón

Padrón is a leading voice in American higher education and a true champion for college accessibility and affordability. Arriving to the U.S. as a teenage refugee, he went on to complete his doctorate, and, from 1995-2019, serve as President of the largest college in the U.S. Under his leadership, Miami Dade College has reached a position of national prominence, with a culture of success and inclusion that has produced impressive results in student access, retention, graduation, and achievement. Padrón, a Medal of Freedom recipient, understands the transformative power of education — particularly for underserved students — and will provide a powerful voice in the Academy.