The inauguration seminar is the final installment of a three-part academic seminar series at The Washington Center

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2500.0"] Miami Dade College students.[/caption]

Miami - Miami Dade College (MDC) students traveled to Washington, D.C. this week for the start of the Inauguration 2017 Academic Seminar.  This year’s theme, Elevating Political Discourse, is particularly relevant given the contentious nature of the presidential campaign in 2016.

Students will take part in daily interactive programming–including guest lectures, small group discussions and budget/policy simulations. Following the programming, students will use the afternoons to meet in groups with faculty leaders, participate in visits to leading organizations and tours of popular, historic D.C. sites.

“Seminar participants have an opportunity to witness the most important event in our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power,” said TWC President Chris Norton. “I think our conversations during this seminar will have a multiplier effect on participants, who will continue this discourse at their institutions, in their careers and in their communities.”  

Some 300 students from select colleges and universities are expected to attend the two week seminar. Since 1985, thousands of students have attended the Inauguration seminar. To date, it remains the only national academic program of its kind and size.

“The seminar provides MDC students with the unique opportunity to experience firsthand our nation’s democratic and political process and to witness history in the making,” said Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, Miami Dade College’s President. “Since MDC is known as Democracy’s College, we are dedicated to preparing students for lifelong civic engagement. Thanks to The Washington Center, we are able to provide our students a wonderful foundation toward this goal.”

For more information about the seminar,  visit our website.   Live updates from Inauguration 2017 will be posted daily at inauguration.twc.edu.