Madison Reporter

Franco Okello is a familiar face at the Madison College-Reedsburg campus, known for his friendly demeanor and dedication to maintaining a welcoming environment. As the lead custodian, Okello plays a crucial role in ensuring that the facilities are clean and organized, contributing to a positive atmosphere for both students and staff. In addition to his custodial duties, he also won first place in last year's Celebrate a Nurse 5K.

Okello shared insights about his journey: "I moved to the United States in 2016. When I came to Wisconsin, I had friends employed at Madison College-Reedsburg, and they told me that it was a great place to work, so I applied in 2018 and was hired. I transitioned into a full-time position as lead custodian last year. In my homeland of Uganda, I was the manager of a recreation center, so I have experience dealing with kids and working with the community. I like working with people."

His commitment extends beyond his professional responsibilities; he actively promotes community spirit on campus. "It’s a one-of-a-kind place in our region because we serve a big community," he remarked about the Reedsburg campus. "It’s a place where everyone wants to see others thrive, and it’s not a huge campus, so people can connect with one another—there is strong teamwork here!"

Okello emphasizes organization as his super skill: "I like making sure that everything is in its place and organized and that creates a better environment for students and staff to work and study." He believes that maintaining an attractive campus is vital: "It’s my top priority to make the campus attractive and inviting to people."

A sports enthusiast, Okello uses soccer as a tool for engagement: "I love soccer. I used it as a bridge to reach kids on the street back home in Uganda." In Reedsburg, he serves as both referee and coach through clinics at the Reedsburg Parks and Rec Department.

Okello also advocates for educational resources at Madison College-Reedsburg: "When I was working nights, I talked with a lot of ESL students on campus. I can relate to them because English is not my first language." He encourages non-native speakers to pursue English classes available on campus.

Profiles from the Pack feature individuals who contribute significantly to the Madison College community through their roles or personal stories.