Madison Reporter

Providing rural students access to higher education is crucial for maintaining vibrant and prosperous communities in Wisconsin. Madison College's regional campuses in Fort Atkinson, Portage, Reedsburg, and Watertown serve as neighborhood learning centers with deep community roots.

Known for programs in nursing, manufacturing, and technology, these regional hubs offer convenient access points to the college. Students from diverse backgrounds—including first-generation college students, returning students, and those in the workforce seeking skill enhancement—find success at these campuses. Madison College’s regional campuses also provide an accessible and affordable pathway to a four-year degree through their transfer program.

Technical colleges like Madison College play a vital role in sustaining rural communities. According to the Wisconsin Technical College System, 91% of technical college graduates live and work in Wisconsin. Additionally, 98% of employers consider local technical colleges essential for their business success.

More than one-third of the population within the Madison College district resides outside Dane County, with 32% of current students also living outside this area. Data indicates that 92% of Madison College graduates remain employed within the state, with 75% staying within the district.

These graduates contribute significantly to the workforce and support their communities by participating in local schools and businesses.

Last year, regional campuses hosted over 220 community events, providing essential programming and facilities for local use. The Celebrate a Nurse 5K event at Madison College-Reedsburg raised over $20,000 for nursing student scholarships last May.

Early college dual enrollment programs allow high school students to earn college credits. In the last academic year alone, 4,843 high school students earned such credits through Madison College; notably, 1,735 (36%) were from outside Dane County. These efforts saved students more than $830,000 in tuition costs.

Middle school and high school students also engage with Madison College Youth Career Discover Campus during summer sessions to explore fields like aviation, EMS, nursing, welding, science, and more. For English as a second language learners, regional campus classes enhance communication skills to improve employment opportunities and community involvement.

Madison College’s industry partnerships address community needs while protective services programs support rural municipalities effectively.

Madison College graduates are integral to staffing rural hospitals such as Divine Savior Hospital in Portage and Fort Healthcare in Fort Atkinson. Over the past five years alone each hospital has hired more than 40 graduates from Madison College.

The institution demonstrated its commitment to agriculture by participating in Farm Technology Days last July in Sauk City where it showcased training programs for technicians servicing farm equipment.

Madison College’s regional campuses will continue focusing on relevant programming for rural communities while highlighting upcoming events such as Metal Mania at Fort Atkinson this May or Skilled Trades Showcase at Portage on September 25th next year among others.

Shawna Marquardt Dean of Regional Campuses emphasized that “the combination of access to education family-sustaining jobs collaboration with local employers meeting workforce needs providing vital services makes us neighbors enhancing our communities.”

This article was originally published by Shawna Marquardt on Wiscnews.com as an op-ed piece.

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