A Community College in Florida Works to Attract the Poor and the Presidential

Yet a community college in Miami with no trace of ivy and a policy of accepting just about everyone, even the hard luck cases, has managed to lure a trifecta of commanders in chief to its urban campus.

At Miami Dade College on Friday evening, President Obama delivered the commencement address, joining a roster that includes Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Over the years, Jimmy Carter, the elder President Bush and Gerald R. Ford have stopped in for round-table chats as have an assortment of first ladies, foreign presidents and cabinet members.

So how is it that an open-admission college that embraces academically risky students carries such cachet?

“We call it a dream factory,” said Eduardo J. Padrón, the college’s president since 1995. “We give people who ordinarily wouldn’t have the opportunity a second chance.”

The college’s demographics make for political catnip. Presidents and other members of the nation’s elite want to align themselves with an institution that has had an amazing run of success stories among its Hispanic and black students. “If we want to win the future,” said Hannah M. August, a White House spokeswoman, “we need to outeducate our global competitors, and schools like Miami Dade are helping us lead the way.”

With an enrollment of 170,000, Miami Dade is the country’s largest college (not including online universities). Ninety percent of its students are minorities, and it graduates more black and Hispanic students than any other college. This is no small accomplishment in light of the country’s stubbornly low college attendance and graduation rates among minorities.

Take a Google tour of Miami notables and an impressive list crops up of graduates and former students of Miami Dade College (or Dade County Junior College, as it was known when it opened in 1960): members of Congress (Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and John L. Mica, both Florida Republicans and House committee leaders), mayors, actors (Andy Garcia and Sylvester Stallone), music magnates (Emilio Estefan), baseball players, a former president of Panama and an assortment of successful architects, lawyers, bank presidents, hospital directors and business owners.

“I think if it weren’t for Miami Dade, I would be doing something very different right now, working in a gas station or something,” said Cesar L. Alvarez, the executive chairman of the law firm Greenberg Traurig and a 1967 graduate who said the college inspired him to achieve. “I didn’t have money to go anywhere else, and I seriously doubt anyone else would have taken me.”

The college’s home state, an electoral prize, is irresistible for any politician. But many attribute its allure for presidents and students to Dr. Padrón, who boasts of Miami Dade’s community college soul. He has elevated its status and nurtured his political relationships. Mr. Obama selected him to head the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. He has held similar posts under past presidents.

Like many in Miami, Dr. Padrón is an alumnus. “He was his own case study,” Mr. Alvarez said.

Dr. Padrón attended the college in the 1960s, fresh from Cuba, with only a smattering of English and no chance of attending any other college. He excelled, eventually working his way to a doctorate in economics at the University of Florida. He rebuffed a lucrative job with DuPont, choosing instead to pay a social debt to his community. He started working at the college and has stayed for 40 years.

Rather than encourage professors to polish their credentials by publishing papers, Dr. Padrón urges them to be passionate about teaching and committed to helping struggling students, many of whom barely graduated high school or struggle to afford college. Some take 10 years to graduate because they are working their way through school. Others charge through in two years and transfer to top-tier universities.

Miami Dade also focuses on training students for real-world jobs; it graduates more nurses, for example, than any other college.

“Our students, a majority, come to us unprepared,” said Dr. Padrón, who said Miami public schools, with some exceptions, often fail to properly educate the city’s children. “It takes effort and money to get them to a level they can compete. If we say, ‘You are not prepared. We won’t admit you,’ thousands and thousands would not be able to come to college. The cycle of poverty would continue. That’s why this is so crucial.”

That was true of Mr. Estefan, a Miami institution who was just another broke Cuban refugee with no option but Miami Dade. He squeezed in courses at night between his day job as an office boy at the Bacardi Corporation and an evening job as an accordion player at an Italian restaurant. Mr. Estefan, now a world-renowned music producer, credits the college for giving him a foundation for what it takes to run a business.

When he aspired to jump into the music business, people told him he was too poor, too foreign, too old. “Then at Miami Dade, one professor said to me, ‘In this country, you can do anything.’?”

 

Nigerians to Vote in Presidential Polls

Julia Ritchey | Dakar ?April 15, 2011

A Nigerian man hawks snacks along a street lined with destroyed posters advertising Presidential candidate Jonathan Goodluck at Jos, Apr 15 2011

Nigerians are preparing to cast their ballots on Saturday in the country's presidential election, a contest that incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan is highly favored to win.

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Committee, INEC, says it is prepared for presidential balloting after a bumpy start earlier this month.

Saturday's poll is the second in a three-part general election being held in Africa's most populous nation, and is seen as a test of whether Nigeria can hold fair elections after a decade of polls marred by corruption and violence.

Parliamentary elections held last week were postponed twice after ballot distribution problems, but INEC says all 70 million voters should be able to cast their ballots Saturday.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, the former vice president, is seeking his first full term after assuming the presidency last year upon the death of his predecessor.

Although Jonathan is favored to win in a crowded field of a dozen other candidates, his two main rivals are 68-year-old former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, and the 50-year-old former anti-corruption head, Nuhu Ribadu.

One voter named Mario Samuel made it very clear who he would vote for.

"General Buhari, because he's the man whom we shall trust over all the other aspirants," Samuel said.

Samuel says he does not trust Jonathan's party, the ruling People's Democratic Party, to tackle the problem of deep-seated corruption.

Another voter, an unemployed university graduate, said he was going to vote for Buhari but changed his mind after President Jonathan promised to help create jobs for Nigeria's large number of unemployed youths.

"I made up my mind that I'm going to vote for him [Jonathan], provided he is able to meet all his political objectives," said the voter.

The PDP has won every presidential poll since the end of military rule in 1999. The party suffered significant losses in last week's polls, losing seats in the southwest and north, but still managed to maintain its majority in the National Assembly.

A fellow at international think tank Chatham House, Sola Tayo, says it's unclear whether the PDP's losses will have a major effect on the presidential poll, but that Jonathan may lose votes for failing to distinguish himself from his opponents on key campaign issues. ?

"Obviously the presidentials are based more on personalities. People will vote for the party, but they tend to vote a lot for the personality," said Tayo. "Goodluck Jonathan has seen a slump in popularity recently and Mohammadu Buhari has really, really come up because a lot of people are looking to him because he's a disciplinarian and he's anti-corruption. And they take him a bit more seriously than Goodluck Jonathan, some disillusioned voters."

An Abuja-based political scientist, Ibrahim Jibrin, said regardless if Jonathan wins, the country is likely to end up with a far more dynamic political system than it has seen in more than a decade.

"The political system will have more of an equilibrium. We've had this situation in which one party controls three-quarters of the states in the country and three-quarters of the seats in the National Assembly," said Jibrin. "That created a monolithic system in which one party was dominant and the opposition was extremely weak."

"The new future," added Jibrin, "will be one in which you are going to have three or four major parties sharing seats in the National A ssembly and sharing control of states."

Jibrin says even if the shrunken PDP majority makes it more difficult for Jonathan to govern, it is healthier overall for Nigeria's democracy.

"It is more difficult, but it is also more reflective of the nature of the country. I don't believe that the PDP had the type of support it claimed," Jibrin said. "It was clear to me that a lot of their seats were through electoral fraud. What you have now is a situation in which the representation at the political level will reflect more truly the political composition of the country."

In order to win, Jonathan will not only need a simple majority but at least 25 percent of the vote in two-thirds of the country's 36 states. This rule requires candidates to try and gain the support of as many regions as possible. Jonathan's stronghold is in the predominantly Christian south, while Buhari's is in the Muslim north.

Elections monitors will once again be on hand to observe the country's poll. Despite some isolated incidents of violence last week, observers said the parliamentary elections were mostly free and fair. Turnout is expected to be much higher for the presidential poll and state polls slated for next week.

15-04-2011 Buba Digare

Jonathan has lil experience of government I bet Nigerians are ready for him to learn what all its about to rules... OBJ's regime is better than Yar'adua Jonathan look at the killings in Jos and the bombings and the extra judial killing of the boko haram members by the yar'adua/Jonathan administration Nigerians are heading to an unknown direction by electing GEJ unless he might change...

15-04-2011 EMEKA MAMAH (NIGERIA)

Jonathan should win because he is not a good on the job. He may not be the best but he is trying his best. Buhari and Nuhu Ribadu are not better alternatives to Jonathan.

15-04-2011 Usman (Nigeria)

Power belong to allah and he give to whom he like.

15-04-2011 Godswill U. Emmanuel (Nigeria)

Politicials remember that power belongs to the people and any form of leading the people without the peoples mandate is an aberration and a departure from norms.

15-04-2011 Tosin A. (Nigeria)

Jonathan has done well with little months he has spent in office. He will win the election.

15-04-2011 buhari (ghana)

i prefer buhari to jonathan and nuhu

15-04-2011 Mark Edward (Malaysia)

Well, in everything, is very open by now that all Nigerian should notice this time of change, let Buhari let buhari win and rule Nigeria so that goodluck / obasanjo and his group go to rest for Nigerian masses to enjoy a change, it well known to every Nigerian to know the devils are arround the Conner again and we should not allow such to take place again, a change to good Nigeria is in our hand, let buhari change Nigeria for better please my brothers and sisters

15-04-2011 Shehu abubakar (Nigeria)

Nuhu is the best candidate and nigerians should give him a chance

15-04-2011 Hamza Audu (Nigeria)

There is no good fight here. no alliance, no failure for the PDP

15-04-2011 Mark Edward (Malaysia)

Well, in everything, is very open by now that all Nigerian should notice this time of change, let Buhari let buhari win and rule Nigeria so that goodluck / obasanjo and his group go to rest for Nigerian masses to enjoy a change, it well known to every Nigerian to know the devils are arround the Conner again and we should not allow such to take place again, a change to good Nigeria is in our hand, let buhari change Nigeria for better please my brothers and sisters

15-04-2011 Kola (Nigeria)

Jonathan is b a better choice for nigeria, he will move Nigeria foward let us give him chance becouse he is doing it already

15-04-2011 Khalie,abraham (Nigeria)

Please,muslim-your-voter-its-belongs-to-buhari,all.

15-04-2011 evans john (nigeria)

it is a known fact that jonathan is chosen and favoured by God and assuch,he must win in Jesus name!Amen.

15-04-2011 Egberigba Timaya (Nigeria Bayesa)

The golden time has come for change, is clear to see the truth and stand for it, let us not because of money or tribalism and vote for the wrong person, it's very clear to all Nigeria to see that Buhari has come to reform our country for good, we has been hearing the same stories from Goodluck and his group Obasanjo, the comment made by buhari is very clear to every Nigerian and we all knows he has come for change. check on the history to see buhari is the right person to change Nigeria.

15-04-2011 Egberigba Timaya (Nigeria Bayesa State)

The golden time has come for change, is clear to see the truth and stand for it, let us not because of money or tribalism and vote for the wrong person, it's very clear to all Nigeria to see that Buhari has come to reform our country for good, we has been hearing the same stories from Goodluck and his group Obasanjo, the comment made by buhari is very clear to every Nigerian and we all knows he has come for change. check on the history to see buhari is the right person to change Nigeria.

15-04-2011 Salako Emmanuel (Nigerian)

Goodluck Jonathan has don a good work in country, we should vote for him to do more.

15-04-2011 Timaya (nigeria)

The golden time has come for change, is clear to see the truth and stand for it, let us not because of money or tribalism and vote for the wrong person, it's very clear to all Nigeria to see that Buhari has come to reform our country for good, we has been hearing the same stories from Goodluck and his group Obasanjo, the comment made by buhari is very clear to every Nigerian and we all knows he has come for change. check on the history to see buhari is the right person to change Nigeria.

15-04-2011 Kabir (Nigeria)

It is a well known fact that our country Nigeria is full with corruption and none can change it except God and buhari. Let vote for Buhari and changes this country Nigeria to a better place of leaving because he is anticorruption.

15-04-2011 yusuf alabi (Nigeria)

I still prefer Goodluck to be our president because he have a good plan for the Nigerian.

15-04-2011 najib lere (nigeria)

i prefer buhari to any contestant he has been winnin snc 2003 but the pdp govt uz power to change the result. this time no one wil change our result. WeWIL protect it

15-04-2011 Sanusi siaka (Nigeria)

You know this time around nigeria need change so that we can move our country to a greater hight.let vote for a man with great hummanity.let vote muhammadu buhari as the president of nigeria.

15-04-2011

Good luck to the people's choice.the world is watching.do it right this time around......

15-04-2011 Aleke gideon (Nigeria)

Goodluck is a wish of everyperson to have,so all nigerian have to vote for him let give chance and full support for him.

15-04-2011 Abacha/gaska/ (nigeria)

100% buhari iz d bst all patroitic citizen of nija hav 2 vote 4 no ethnocentrism al nigerian inrespective of ur language shal b treated equally

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Nigerians Vote in Presidential Elections

 VOA News ?April 16, 2011

An electoral official check a voters name at a polling place in Daura, Nigeria, Saturday, April 16, 2011

Nigerians are voting Saturday in elections President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to win.

Security is tight at polling stations across the country.? Two explosions in the northeastern city Maiduguri early Saturday heightened concerns but caused no injuries.

Mr. Jonathan faces two main challengers who failed to form an alliance in a last-minute bid to force a run-off.

President Jonathan's top rival is former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, followed by challenger Nuhu Ribadu, a former anti-corruption chief.

Mr. Jonathan has promised to improve the economy, health and education in the oil-rich country.

Mr. Buhari has vowed to clean up corruption and invest in Nigeria's infrastructure, while Mr. Ribadu has said his top priority is to lift ordinary Nigerians from poverty.

Authorities have closed the borders during the vote.

Election officials say Nigeria is prepared for Saturday's presidential poll, after delaying key elections this month due to logistical problems and a shortage of ballots.

Parliamentary polls last week show Mr. Jonathan's ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) lost some ground, but will retain its majority.

Parliamentary voting delayed at 15 percent of the polling stations are scheduled to take place Saturday.

International monitors described last Saturday's polling as "encouraging." ?

The European Union declared Nigeria's 2007 vote "not credible."

President Goodluck Jonathan, the former vice president, is seeking his first full term after assuming the presidency last year upon the death of his predecessor, President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Nigeria is scheduled to hold state level elections on April 26.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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Nigerians Vote in Presidential Elections

 VOA News ?April 16, 2011

An electoral official check a voters name at a polling place in Daura, Nigeria, Saturday, April 16, 2011

Nigerians are voting Saturday in elections President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to win.

Security is tight at polling stations across the country.? Two explosions in the northeastern city Maiduguri early Saturday heightened concerns but caused no injuries.

Mr. Jonathan faces two main challengers who failed to form an alliance in a last-minute bid to force a run-off.

President Jonathan's top rival is former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, followed by challenger Nuhu Ribadu, a former anti-corruption chief.

Mr. Jonathan has promised to improve the economy, health and education in the oil-rich country.

Mr. Buhari has vowed to clean up corruption and invest in Nigeria's infrastructure, while Mr. Ribadu has said his top priority is to lift ordinary Nigerians from poverty.

Authorities have closed the borders during the vote.

Election officials say Nigeria is prepared for Saturday's presidential poll, after delaying key elections this month due to logistical problems and a shortage of ballots.

Parliamentary polls last week show Mr. Jonathan's ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) lost some ground, but will retain its majority.

Parliamentary voting delayed at 15 percent of the polling stations are scheduled to take place Saturday.

International monitors described last Saturday's polling as "encouraging." ?

The European Union declared Nigeria's 2007 vote "not credible."

President Goodluck Jonathan, the former vice president, is seeking his first full term after assuming the presidency last year upon the death of his predecessor, President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Nigeria is scheduled to hold state level elections on April 26.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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