Search | Menu Building community through culture and connection
Throughout 2025, Madison College invited students, employees, and neighbors to come together through a series of cultural events that celebrated identity, history, and creative expression.
Together, these events reflected Madison College’s belief that education extends beyond the classroom. By creating spaces where cultures are honored, stories are shared, and communities are welcomed, the college fostered understanding, connection, and belonging.
“We’re all about vigorously going out into the community and creating initiatives and relationships that are aligned with the goals of the college and the needs of our communities,” said Dr. Jimmy Cheffen, director of Student Engagement and Community Impact at Madison College. “We think about the needs and the wants of both employees and students and focus on how we can make the environment here welcoming for everybody on campus.”
The year began with the SOULful Joy: Dzigbodi Akyea Art Exhibit in February. Honoring the legacy of a beloved Madison College advisor and community leader, the exhibit featured the work of 15 artists whose pieces explored joy as a powerful, enduring force within Black history and culture.
In April, the sounds of drums and songs filled the Truax Campus during the Annual Spring Powwow. Hosted by the Native American Student Association in collaboration with campus partners. Through dance competitions, honor songs, and a military color guard presentation, the powwow honored Native American traditions while creating a shared space of learning, celebration and understanding open to all.
In May, the college celebrated its first-ever Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Celebration. The event brought together families, students, and community members for a day of food, performances, exhibits, and storytelling. By centering AAPI voices and traditions, the celebration highlighted the richness and diversity within these communities.
Madison College joined local partners to honor Juneteenth with a community parade. Marching together through Madison’s streets, participants commemorated the end of slavery while celebrating Black resilience, progress, and unity.
Creative expression took center stage with QUEER: A Proud and Loud Art Show. Featuring work from more than 21 artists, the exhibit explored the complexity and beauty of LGBTQIA+ identities. Organized by the Sexuality and Gender Advocates affinity group, the show created a welcoming space for self-expression and affirmed the importance of visibility and advocacy for queer students, faculty, staff, and community members.
September featured a celebration to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month organized by United Common Ground and Mi Gente Unida in collaboration with the Intercultural Exchange and the Division of Organizational Impact and Culture. The kick-off event included music from Mariachi Corcel de Madison, food from Madison’s Mishqui Peruvian Bistro (owned by a Madison College alum) and engaging games and activities that focused on Hispanic culture and history.
November’s Community Job Fair, hosted at Madison College’s Goodman South Campus, brought more than 300 students and community members of diverse backgrounds together to explore job opportunities with more than 25 employers in the Madison College district.
The 5th Annual Hmong New Year Celebration in December carried special meaning as Hmong Americans marked 50 years since resettlement in the United States. Food, performances, and intergenerational storytelling honored Hmong history and culture while underscoring the role education plays in empowering future generations.
Beyond these events, the work of Student Engagement and Community Impact extended throughout 2025. By aligning initiatives with the college’s Vision 2030 commitments, the team ensured its efforts supported long-term goals related to equity, access, and student success.
From community dinners that encouraged dialogue among hundreds of attendees to sponsorship of local events and programs such as the Reentry Fair and Bilingual Fair, the team worked to create inclusive opportunities and highlight the region’s rich cultural diversity.
In a year defined by gathering and celebration, Madison College demonstrated how inclusive cultural programming can build stronger, more connected communities—on campus and beyond.
