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New MATC President Bettsey Barhorst Starts Jan. 18;
First Week Includes “Look and Listen Tour” of All MATC Campuses
The new president of Madison Area Technical College (MATC), Dr. Bettsey L. Barhorst, begins her first day on the job Tuesday, launching a “Look and Listen Tour” that will take to her to all five of the college’s campuses - Madison, Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Portage and Reedsburg. Tours and receptions are planned throughout the week at each location to provide students and staff an opportunity to meet their new president as she learns about the college.
Following a national search, the MATC District Board (MATC) voted unanimously last November to hire Barhorst. John H. Ashley, MATC District Board Chair, noted that “Dr. Barhorst brings to MATC exceptional leadership and academic experience gained within two- and four-year college environments. As a college president, she has proven her effectiveness in sharing a vision, securing new resources within a challenging budget environment and building a strong sense of community both internally and externally. She is an energetic and dedicated educator who demonstrates a genuine commitment to students and lifelong learning.”
“I am delighted and honored to be joining MATC, which has a remarkable reputation,” stated Barhorst. “The college is involved in many exciting and innovative student-centered initiatives. I’m looking forward to learning more about the college and the people, businesses and communities MATC serves in south-central Wisconsin.”
Barhorst served as president of Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA, from 2001 until the end of last year. During her tenure at Hawkeye, Barhorst led the passage of two referendums totaling $37 million, each with more than 60% voter approval; developed consortiums to train high school students for highly skilled manufacturing and health sciences careers; and improved internal communication and trust while transforming the college’s external image.
Prior to joining Hawkeye, Barhorst worked for 15 years at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, where her responsibilities included serving as vice president for Planning and Information Services, affirmative action officer, chair for the English Department and president of the full-time faculty union. In the mid-80s, she served as the director for student advisement for Webster University’s Geneva campus in Switzerland. With 25 years of teaching experience ranging from fourth grade to master’s level, Barhorst considers herself first and foremost a teacher.
She holds a Ph.D. in educational administration and foundations from Illinois State University; a master’s degree in management and human resource development from Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland; a master’s degree in speech communication from Bradley University; and a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Fontbonne University.
She is the current president of the Iowa Association of Community College Presidents and serves on the American Association of Community Colleges’ Commission on Learning and Communications Technologies.
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges and serves about 50,000 individuals annually. It provides a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and activities, as well as customized employee training. MATC provides training in more than 100 career programs. It awards associate degrees, vocational diplomas and certificates, and offers non-degree courses. The college serves all or parts of 12 counties located in south-central Wisconsin and offers instruction through five campuses and various other locations throughout the district.
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Last
Modified:
January 19, 2005
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