The State Department has had a relatively small presence in South Florida, despite Miami being an important nexus for the U.S. and Latin American relations.
The federal agency hopes to change that by partnering with Miami Dade College to expand what it calls the “media hub of the Americas.”
With its new home at Miami’s downtown Freedom Tower, the hub will have a physical location to hold conferences, seminars and interviews with dignitaries about foreign policy.
Valerie Fowler, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Department of State, says proximity to foreign-language media is a plus.
“Miami is, of course, the epicenter of the Spanish- and Portuguese-language media," says Fowler, "and so we are very excited to have a platform here at Miami Dade College where we can reach the Miami and Latin American communities for when American officials will visit Miami."
Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padrón says having access to this type of center is also beneficial for MDC students.
“For us as an institution, we feel very, very privileged because it’s an opportunity for our students to have access to the people that are making history,” says Padrón. “And to be able to come face-to-face with them -- doesn’t get any better than that.”
The partnership has been three and half years in the making.
Fowler says it's a coincidence that the hub's opening comes on the heels of efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. But the historic policy change will make the center all the more significant -- especially as diplomats and business executives move to and from Cuba and Washington, D.C., through Miami.
“Our Miami hub has never been more central to our messaging, explaining U.S. foreign policy to international audiences, as well as Americans,” says Fowler.
