Student Life Staff

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    Staff Information   

    Renee Alfano, Director of Student Life
    E-mail: ralfano[at] matcmadison [dot] edu
    Phone: (608) 243-4539  

    Renee AlfanoI have been director of Student Life since January 2009. Prior to here, I served as the Assistant Director and Interim Director of the Student Organization Office at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. I'm one of those people who is still practice the work that their degree was intended; I graduated with a masters of science from Western Illinois University with a major in College Student Personnel. My undergraduate degree is also from WIU in education.

    I thoroughly enjoy working and learning from college students, which is why I have probably stayed with the profession for more than 20 years. I have worked at a variety of higher education institutions besides UW-Madison. I have worked at Northern Illinois University, the College of St. Francis (Ill.), and Rock Valley Community College (Ill.).

    I am very excited about the work the staff and students in Student Life and the clubs and organizations at Madison College are accomplishing. It is my hope that we will continue to educate, advise, advocate, entertain, recognize and provide social opportunities for all of the students throughout the district. If you have ideas or suggestions on how to improve your campus experience, please don't hesitate to let me know! I love creative ideas and hope to meet many of you. 

     

    Jackie Dahlke, Student Life Coordinator
    E-mail: jdahlke[at] matcmadison [dot] edu
    Phone:     (608) 246-6343

    Jackie DahlkeI joined the Student Life Team at Madison College in 1997, after moving back to my home state of Wisconsin to take care of family business.  I have previously worked at Washington State University, Western Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.  I have a Bachelors Degree in Health & Physical Education, a Masters Degree in College Student Personnel and have made significant progress toward a Doctorate. 

    I chose to work in the field of Student Affairs because my own college experiences were a time of profound learning and change as a student leader.  Simply speaking, I work to create similar opportunities for today’s college students.  I value common sense, honesty and accomplishment.

    I am the Coordinator for the Leadership Program and the Advisor to the Student Senate.  As such, I am proud to say that I have worked with some of the finest student leaders of my career, right here at Madison College.  I look to the future with confidence as I watch intelligent, compassionate and industrious students move in-and-out of Madison College as student leaders, volunteers, parents, community members, business owners, soldiers, activists and entrepreneurs.    

    I am a firm believer in “how” a student engages him or herself while in college, is a strong indicator of “what type” of employee, neighbor and family member he or she will be throughout life.  College provides countless learning opportunities for involvement and leadership.  I invite students of all interests, backgrounds and ages to have a conversation with me about enhancing their potential through involvement opportunities at Madison College.

      

    Lori Erickson , Student Life Coordinator
    E-mail: lrerickson[at] matcmadison [dot] edu
    Phone: (608) 246-6797

    Lori EricksonI started Madison College 20 years ago, and now serve as the Programming and Activities Council Coordinator. This council coordinates the activities at the Truax and Downtown campuses. Some of our programming includes bands, hypnotist, comedians, children events and recreation activities. PAC develops leadership skills and have fun while enriching the lives of Madison College’s students. Before taking on this role, I managed the WolfPack Den. So, for many years I have been working directly with students.

    I love working with students and watching them develop personally and professionally. This keeps me young at heart and excited for each coming fall to see how the next group of students will grow and what lasting friendships they will encounter. I encourage all students to get involved in Student Life or any other Madison College organization to receive the whole college experience.

     

      

    Doug Kirchberg, Student Publications Coordinator
    E-mail: dkirchberg[at] matcmadison [dot] edu
    Phone: (608) 246-6576

    Doug KirchbergAs the Student Publications Coordinator, I serve as the advisor to The Clarion, our student newspaper, and the Yahara Journal, a fine arts and literary journal. I also produce the college's student planner, compile the weekly student bulletin, and maintain the Student Life Office's web site. In addition, I advise the Madison College Student Ambassadors, a group of students who serve as role models and mentors for incoming students by helping with campus tours, working at orientation and other back-to-school activities, and participating in other leadership opportunities.

    Before coming to Madison College in August of 2000, I worked for 13 years as a reporter and editor at a daily newspaper in south-central Indiana. In 1988, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor's in mass communication and psychology. I am working on my master's degree in journalism out of the University of Memphis. 

     

    Mary Robbins, Student Life Administrative Assistant
    E-mail: mrobbins[at] matcmadison [dot] edu
    Phone: (608) 246-6228

    Mary RobbinsI started working here more than 25 years ago, it seems like yesterday.  My job in Student Life is to provide administrative support to the Student Life Administrator and to co-manage the office. A very big part of my job is to assist in the coordination and production of the college commencement ceremonies.
     
    The parts of my job that I enjoy the most are working everyday with students; they invigorate me, they keep me on my toes and they keep me current  – which makes it hard for my kids to pull any fast ones. Many of the students who have worked in the office over the years have become close personal friends; we stay in touch long after they've graduated and gone on to careers and families. I love the commencement ceremony because it is the celebration of everything that we do here; it is the culmination of hard work, commitment and motivation.  

     

    Susana Valtierra, Student Life CoordinatorSusana Valtierra
    E-mail: svaltierra[at] matcmadison [dot] edu
    Phone: (608) 246-6495  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Jason Wiedenhoeft, Student Life CoordinatorJason Wiedenhoeft
    E-mail: jwiedenhoeft[at] matcmadison [dot] edu
    Phone: (608) 243-4228  

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Last Modified: May 18, 2011