Last week, the Madison College District Board of Trustees decided to restart the search process for the college’s next president.
The decision was prompted by Carlos Cortez’s withdrawal from the presidential search process, where the board determined that with only two candidates remaining, it needed to have all the necessary options to make the best possible choice for the school.
The board selected current Madison College Executive Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Tim Casper, to serve as interim president, effective upon President Daniels’ retirement in January.
The board said the unanimous decision reflects its complete confidence in Dr. Casper’s leadership and the demonstrated commitment and continuity he will bring to the interim period.
“The responsibility the board has trusted me with is something I take very seriously. I’m honored to have been provided this opportunity to lead the institution until we identify a permanent president of Madison College,” Casper said.
Casper’s familiarity with the college community and its senior leaders, coupled with understanding the college’s goal for the Vision 2030 plan, will ensure continuity.
Vision 2030 is a strategic plan that the college has engaged with students, employees and community leaders to consider its goals for the next five academic years. It encompasses six strategic commitments that will guide the school’s decision-making and commitment to student success.
Casper plans to advance Project 2030’s goals while bridging the gap between Dr. Jack Daniels’s retirement and the selection of the new college leader.
Casper, who’s been with the college since 2011, believes it’s essential to collectively think about how those items get advanced as they move forward to better serve the communities, as well as current and prospective students.
As an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay majoring in Urban Studies, he was active in student life, organization, and government, inspired by faculty and the classroom. Thus, he recognizes the importance of understanding students, having excellent faculty and staff and serving and supporting students.
“The students we had five years ago are different from the students that we have today — and the students that we have five years from now will be different from those here today, too,” said Casper, who earned his doctorate in Education Leadership from Edgewood College.
“While we draw from the past, we act in the present and we’re also trying to plan for the future. That, to me, is invigorating and exciting work.”
His interest is to continue to understand the students, not just from the perspective of what he has learned, but to learn from the faculty and staff’s perspectives.
He’s grateful to collaborate with the many dedicated professionals, whether faculty, student service professionals, or part of the human resources, administrative or facilities team.
“Each and every single person — when we speak with them — regardless of their role, have a “why” and that “why” is always connected to the students,” he said.
Casper said “the why” drives everybody, whether they are a bookstore cashier, academic advisor or an Introduction to Psychology instructor.
“All of them have that passion, and that is rewarding to be part of a community of people so dedicated to something important as educating people who live in our communities,” Casper said.