Position: Professor of History & Sociology
School: Miami Dade College - Homestead Campus
School District: Miami Dade College
City, State: Homestead, FL
Jairo Ledesma was nominated by Rafael Villa.
Three words to describe Professor Ledesma are outstanding, work, and impact. His impact extends far beyond the classroom through his dedication to civic engagement, historical inquiry, and global education. As a professor and leader in study abroad initiatives, he empowers students to connect academic learning with lived experiences, fostering cultural awareness and social responsibility. His collaborative research on desegregation and community resilience has advanced public understanding of equity and history.
Through curriculum innovation, mentorship, and leadership in programs such as Humanities Edge, he continues to champion inclusion, interdisciplinary scholarship, and the transformative power of education to uplift communities. His teaching at FIU (via the syllabus) emphasizes global learning, civic literacy, and historical inquiry. His students engage with U.S. history from the 1870s onward and must perform writing and analysis. His mentorship in undergraduate research (Humanities Edge) supports students in more interdisciplinary and research-oriented work, promoting college readiness.