Contact: Bill Bessette (608) 246-6127
Madison College alum, County Executive Joe Parisi, will return to Madison College on Tuesday, September 6, to talk to students about the importance of completing their degrees and certifications to gain success in life and in the workplace.
“I would not be a university graduate today if it were not for Madison College,” says Parisi. “Some need a second chance, and Madison College provides that.”
As a teenager, Parisi dropped out of high school. But he quickly learned that success in life is tied to a great education. He earned his GED through a community program and then continued his education at Madison Area Technical College and UW-Madison.
At the event, which begins at 11 a.m., students will be encouraged to sign a completion pledge form, committing to completing their degrees before leaving community college for transfer or to enter the job market. The event is being sponsored by Madison College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter.
Community colleges such as Madison College are playing a more pivotal role in today’s economy. President Obama has called for community colleges to produce an additional 5 million degrees and certificates in the next 10 years—part of his goal to restore the U.S. as the world’s leader in college graduates. The president praised community colleges for serving almost half of the nation’s college students and playing a pivotal role in educating the workforce.
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Madison Area Technical College serves approximately 40,000 individuals annually, providing “real world smart” education through a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and sciences, adult basic education and continuing education, as well as customized training for employers.
