BOARD MEMBER DANNY ESPINO AND THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF HIGH-QUALITY POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

At the School Board Meeting of February 11, 2026, School Board Member Danny Espino, District 5, proffered agenda item B-8, celebrating 100 years of high-quality post-secondary education at the University of Miami.

Chartered in 1925, the University of Miami (UM) was founded on the vision that a growing South Florida required a premier institution to anchor its intellectual and civic life. Through the years, UM has served as an essential partner to Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), creating an enduring alliance dedicated to preparing students for success in college, career, and life. Each year, a significant number of M-DCPS graduates transition into the University as Hurricanes, while generations of UM alumni return to the district as the teachers, counselors, and administrators who shape the future of our classrooms.

Forty years of joint professional development through the School of Education and Human Development’s Glazer-Lorton Writing Institute have enabled M-DCPS teachers to strengthen their writing instruction, while a twenty-five-year partnership between the School of Education and Human Development and M-DCPS through the Holocaust Teachers Institute has helped educators develop the knowledge, awareness, and sound pedagogical practices necessary for teaching about the Holocaust. Together, these initiatives are robust, historic examples of how we are better and stronger through collaboration.

Building on their longstanding alliance, M-DCPS and the University of Miami are pursuing an expanded collaboration to develop industry-aligned coursework, postsecondary training, and hands-on learning opportunities in construction management and related fields. The goal is to establish workforce pathways for students into high-wage, in-demand careers in the building and infrastructure sectors.

In addition to its academic mission, the University is an indispensable partner in the holistic well-being of the M-DCPS community. UHealth’s nationally recognized research and clinical services provide a vital health safety net for local families, reinforcing the principle that academic achievement is inextricably linked to community health.

Complementing its academic and civic mission, the University boasts a storied athletic tradition in football, baseball, basketball, and more—igniting the fervor of a devoted South Florida fan base and providing M-DCPS student-athletes with local icons of excellence and athleticism. These athletic achievements unite the community through a shared culture of perseverance, school pride, and the pursuit of greatness.

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, honors the University of Miami for a century of educational excellence, high-quality post-secondary education, and unwavering dedication to students, educators, and the Miami-Dade community. As the University of Miami celebrates its Centennial and looks ahead to the next century, the partnership between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the University of Miami continues to thrive.