Madison College has never had a formal alumni network. That’s changing now. The college has launched a pilot series of social events, a monthly newsletter, and a new identity — the Alumni and Friends Network — all aimed at building lasting connections with the tens of thousands of people who have passed through its programs over the years.
Anna Gonzalez, a community engagement specialist in the college’s Division of Organizational Impact and Culture, is leading the effort. She started in the role last August after previously working at American Players Theatre. She said alumni engagement has always happened at Madison College in scattered ways — through individual departments, faculty relationships, mentorships, and internships — but never in a coordinated fashion.
“All of those things are already happening, but it really wasn’t happening in one space,” Gonzalez said. “Madison College is so big, so how do we make sure all those stakeholders are talking to each other and are all connected to alumni?”
The network held its first event on Feb. 26 at Olbrich Gardens, a free, family-friendly social called “Escape from Winter.” Alumni visited the conservatory’s orchid exhibit, ate pizza, picked up alumni swag, and mingled with faculty and staff. The college mascot, Wolfie, was also on hand. The event hit its 250-person registration cap within a month, and about 150 people attended.
“The engagement rate is quite high,” Gonzalez said. “Even folks who can’t attend are like, this is amazing. I want to do more.”
Two more events are planned for the spring: a Madison College takeover night at the Milwaukee Bucks on March 29, where alumni will sit together and receive rally towels, and a pickleball event at Pickleball Kingdom in mid-June. The Bucks event is expected to draw about 400 people, while the pickleball outing will be capped at around 50.
A monthly newsletter is also in the works. The college has a contact list of 30,000 to 40,000 names compiled from graduation records, though many of those contacts are outdated. Gonzalez said the newsletter will share upcoming events, tell alumni stories, and create a feedback loop so alumni can shape the network’s direction.
“These alumni events are intended to be for alumni, so alumni need to tell us what do you want,” she said. “Are you able to volunteer? Do you want to be part of a committee? Do you want to help plan some of these things?”
For Gonzalez, the effort is personal. She said Madison College graduates often don’t get the recognition they deserve.
“I think Madison College alumni are incredible people,” she said. “The conversation typically with community colleges and technical colleges is like, oh, they’re coming in just to get the degree and then move on. But for us, we’re seeing alumni who stay in the area. They’re building their own businesses. They are taking jobs that are supporting the infrastructure of the areas that they live in. So they are the community.”
She noted that a high number of Madison College graduates also return to the college as staff and faculty, contributing directly to supporting current students.
Gonzalez stressed that the Alumni and Friends Network is not a fundraising operation. It is housed within the college rather than the Madison College Foundation, and its focus is celebration and connection. But she said the network could eventually lay the groundwork for a more formal alumni association.
After the three pilot events wrap up this spring, Gonzalez said the team will meet with college leadership — including President Jennifer Berne — to assess what they’ve learned and develop a three- to five-year roadmap. An alumni web page and impact report are also in the works.
The college is also working with Student Life to begin connecting with students before they graduate, introducing them to the network during the commencement process. “As soon as you’re done with Madison College, you’re not done with Madison College, because we’re always here,” Gonzalez said.
Alumni interested in joining the network can sign up for the newsletter at this link. They can also reach out via email at [email protected] with questions or ideas for future events.
“The alumni are going to be the ones who are going to be our guiding star,” Gonzalez said. “What is it you want? What does connection mean for you? And then my job is to make that happen.”
