What have you accomplished in your professional life/career since your 40 Under 40 selection?
When I was selected for the 40 Under 40 award, I was an associate dean in the School of Arts and Sciences at Madison College. After three years in that role I was asked to lead the Center for Adult Learning during the recession. The Center for Adult Learning existed to get dislocated workers back into the workforce. During that time, I also led a team to build the School of Online and Accelerated Learning at the College. This school was responsible for growing our online, hybrid, accelerated, and other delivery modes in efforts to increase access, completion, and student success. We built infrastructure, support for students, and flexible programming.
After a few years in that role, I was asked to serve as interim dean for the School of Human and Protective Services. The school offers programming and services in the areas of fire science, emergency management services, law enforcement, criminal justice, early childhood education, safety education, and human services. After successfully interviewing in a national search process, I was selected as the dean of the School of Human and Protective Services. After serving in that role for four years, I was named executive dean as my role expanded. I became responsible for leading the academic planning and program development and analysis for the college, as well as our work with four-year partners in the building of articulation agreements.
Lastly, one year ago I was appointed to associate vice president for strategic academic initiatives at Madison College. In my associate vice president role, I oversee the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning that leads and provides professional development for faculty, academic planning, flexible learning efforts, program development, and analysis. In addition to serving as the associate vice president, I still also hold the full dean role for the School of Human and Protective Services.
What accomplishments, milestones, or endeavors have you attained in your personal life since your 40 Under 40 selection?
The most significant change in my personal life is that I had two children. I have a 5-year-old son, Jack, and a 7-year-old daughter, Lauren. As I have been progressing in my career, I have been growing personally as a mother. I have been an active member of our community. I have coached boys and girls youth soccer teams for the past three years. I serve on the Waunakee Area Soccer Club Board. I also have served as a Girl Scout troop leader for the past three years. I have found that taking on these leadership roles and being involved with my children’s lives has been a healthy compliment to my work at Madison College.
If you were to “do it all over again,” what (if anything) would you do differently throughout your career?
If I did this all over again I would have pursued my doctoral degree earlier in life. The amount of time between my master’s degree and doctorate delayed my personal life because I was working in a demanding full-time job and going to school.
How did your 40 Under 40 selection help your career?
At the same time that I received this 40 under 40 recognition, I also received a couple of other awards including the Athena Young Professional Award in 2008. This recognition at the time helped me to understand my potential as a leader. It also created opportunities for me to connect with people outside of Madison College in the networks.
What is something that you have a new passion for since the time of your induction — either professionally or personally?
Professionally speaking, I have a passion for developing and mentoring leaders and guiding them in successful careers. I also have a passion for leveraging my authority to influence and make change in the areas of diversity and inclusion where I am able. Lastly, it has become very important to me at this point my career to find meaning in my work. Personally, I am passionate about motherhood and family life. I also strive to have meaningful friendships to create balance in life.
Based on your experience, do you have any advice for today’s young professionals (under 40)?
As mentioned, I think it is important for professionals to have healthy relationships professionally and personally. When we get busy we really need to remember to work on this. I also think that it is important to be happy at work and with your work because you spend a significant portion of life at work.
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