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Dr. Oscar Loynaz, president of Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Homestead Campus, has been selected to receive the Paragon Award for New Presidents, a distinction conferred by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK). Dr. Loynaz was chosen among 24 college leaders across the U.S. He will be recognized during the PTK Catalyst 2024, the organization’s annual convention in Orlando, FL, April 4-6, 2024.
“I am honored to receive the Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award for New Presidents. This recognition reflects our shared commitment to academic excellence and student success. I look forward to continuing to lead our campus in fostering a community of learning, innovation and growth,” said Dr. Loynaz.
The Paragon Award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus. To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs should be new in their role, having served fewer than three years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once.
Prior to becoming Homestead Campus President, Dr. Loynaz was vice president for Workforce Programs and Professional Learning at MDC. In that role, he oversaw the direction of the College’s professional education programs and served as the bridge between MDC and industry, ensuring students were prepared to enter the workforce. Among his responsibilities was overseeing the School of Global Business, Trade & Transportation; the School of Education; the School of Engineering, Technology & Design; the School of Justice, Public Safety & Law Studies; the School of Science; the School of Continuing Education and Professional Development; the Office of Career and Technical Education; the Idea Center, and MDC Works, a next generation career center. Dr. Loynaz has also served as dean for the School of Health Sciences at the College. Before joining MDC, Dr. Loynaz worked at Florida International University for over 18 years, where he held several leadership positions in student health services, as well as serving as an adjunct professor for the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies. Although trained as a physician, his professional career has been dedicated to working in administrative roles managing operations and finances in several public and private organizations including institutions of higher education, hospitals, primary care centers, community-based organizations, as well as local, state and federal agencies.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
