President's Message: June 18, 2010

Dear Faculty and Staff,

There’s no summer vacation for Madison College students! For the second straight year, the College’s summer enrollment has taken a big jump. Last year, enrollment increased nearly 22 percent. This summer it went up eight percent on top of that.

While we welcome all students, there’s no doubt the growth is stressing the College’s resources. We’ve expanded our West and South campuses and we’re using a variety of creative strategies to meet the needs of our community. Thanks for your help and patience during this busy and hectic time.

College Marvels
A student I met recently (at the Wisconsin Dells Outlet Mall) mentioned to me how “awesome” her teacher, Margaret Vaughan, business communication, is. The student said she made a big difference in her career plans.

Also, I received a very nice email from Fort Atkinson faculty praising the hard work and dedication of the Fort Atkinson Campus staff.

Madison College has been awarded funding by the Community Colleges for International Development, Inc. (CCID) and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) for its 2010-2011 Community College Initiative programs: CCI-Egypt Student Program and CCI-Multinational Student Program. Many thanks to Geoff Bradshaw, Principal Investigator – Center for International Education, Stephanie Cowan and Kirsten Holdwick – Center for International Education, Amy Brown – Budget Office, and Ed Clarke – Grants Office for all their hard work in preparing the grant application.

Madison College has also been awarded a Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant for $10,000. The purpose of this project is to support enhanced service delivery at the new learning center opened at the Downtown Campus in August 2009 by the College Preparedness and Academic Advancement Center (CPAAC). Please congratulate the following staff for all their hard work in the development and submittal of this proposal: Brett Johnston, Principal Investigator, CPAAC; Chris Vandall, CPAAC; Amy Brown, Budget Office; and Dana Maya and Anne Scott, Grants Office.

Highlights of My Recent Schedule:
• participated in the first meeting of the WTCS Green Jobs Steering Committee;
• was interviewed by the president of Higher Education Research and Development Institute (HERDI), for inclusion in an advisory group;
• presented on a panel at the American Council on Education Office of Women in Higher Education’s Alaska Regional Leadership Forum, and led discussion groups;
• participated at a United Way Tocqueville Society membership meeting;
• attended Madison Downtown Rotary;
• participated in the district board meeting;
• participated in the two-day WTCS Presidents’ Association Annual retreat in LaCrosse where we planned goals and activities for next year;
• met with women community leaders;
• hosted a summer social for college leaders;
• taped an interview for a WTDY Radio Show;
• attended a reception for outgoing UW-Extension Chancellor David Wilson;
• gave an update on the college at the monthly Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Board meeting; and
• dropped in on PSRP Retreat classes.

In closing, here’s a quote an administrator shared with me, by Elbert Hubbard:

"One great, strong, unselfish soul in every community could actually redeem the world.”

Let’s all be great, and strong and unselfish.

Bettsey