Madison Reporter

Nicole Sandoval serves as the Latinx Community Liaison at Madison College, working within the College Culture and Climate Division. Her role focuses on connecting the college with its surrounding community.

Reflecting on her background, Sandoval shared, "I was born in La Paz, Bolivia and lived there until I was seven when my family migrated to Middleton, Wisconsin." She recalled her early experiences adjusting to a new culture and language in the United States. Despite these challenges, she quickly learned English and became a key translator for her family.

After completing high school, Sandoval attended Edgewood College where she earned a bachelor's degree in political science and ethnic studies. Following graduation, she worked as a legal assistant focusing on immigration policy before returning to Madison. At Madison College, she initially worked at the advising office's front desk which allowed her to understand various aspects of student services. This experience led her to roles in recruitment and eventually to her current position.

Sandoval emphasizes community engagement through partnerships with organizations such as Centro Hispano and La Movida Radio Station. She explained that their role is "to build bridges with community organizations" ensuring accessibility for events and initiatives. An example of this work is an upcoming bilingual job fair aimed at connecting students and community members with employers.

Proud of forming relationships across different areas of the college, Sandoval said, "For me it's all about being able to build that bridge with so many different areas." Her focus remains on fostering growth within the Latino community at Madison College as it works towards becoming an official Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Sandoval values personal development. She mentioned attending a speed-reading retreat which enhanced both her reading skills and emotional intelligence. Reflecting on this experience she noted how it changed her perspective on teaching reading effectively.

Looking ahead, Sandoval aims to continue advocating for Madison College's recognition as an HSI while supporting Latino student enrollment growth.