Search | Menu Mighty and mobile: Meet the Madison College Navigators
They may not wear superhero capes, but the Madison College Navigators' mission is nothing short of extraordinary: connecting prospective students to college and pathways to success.
Madison College Access Manager Torvic Caradine, along with his team of seven college access navigators, travels to 64 high schools throughout the year, connecting with students, building relationships with school counselors and talking with community members. The team is expertly equipped to answer questions about Madison College’s 200-plus programs, financial aid, resources and help students fill out applications. Learn more from Torvic about working as a navigator.
How do you connect with prospective Madison College students?
We are the mobile Madison College. Our job is to sit down and talk with students and go beyond the first question, asking the second, third, or even fourth question to understand what they want. Students value that one-on-one connection to sit down, either in person or virtually, knowing we'll be there to help them through the next steps.
How does your team support the mission of Madison College as a community college?
We are a community college, so we are out in the community. In a single day, we might travel to the Reedsburg campus and then visit another campus. Each of the 64 high schools we serve has a distinct personality; what works at Madison East High School may not work at Sauk Prairie High School.
We also build relationships with school counselors. Many come from four-year college backgrounds and may be less familiar with two-year institutions. Some students that they guide toward a four-year institution may not be suited or ready for that. We provide another option—ensuring students know about Madison College and can make the choice that’s right for them.
What are you hearing from students thinking about college?
Starting college can be a scary process. The unknown scares prospective students the most: Am I going to get in? How do I apply?
The pandemic disrupted many students' plans. One gap year turned into two gap years, two gap years turned into three gap years, and some students feel stuck. When they reach out to us, we help, we help get them started and stay on track. Completing a college application is just the first step; ongoing support is what keeps them moving forward.
What about the ones who don’t see themselves as college material?
We help young people see opportunities. For example, Wisconsin Heights is a farming community, and students have dreams and aspirations. They may not be ready for a UW school, or see themselves studying liberal arts, so we give them options. Some might want to work with their hands — fixing cars, trucks or tractors. Others are interested in gaming or technology. We help them connect those interests to real careers and programs at Madison College.
Why do you love being a navigator?
I am an extrovert, so it’s the perfect job for me to get paid to talk to people.
But most importantly, I really enjoy meeting new people and building relationships.
I stay in touch with students I helped along the way. Some are now nurses and police officers who once didn’t see college as an option. One student enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program while still in high school. She wasn’t sure he could do it, but I encouraged her. Today, she’s a nurse and still checks in with me. Moments like that mean everything.
The navigators are the first point of contact for students. How does your team support students after enrollment?
Getting students in the door is just the beginning—helping them stay and succeed is the real challenge. We work to ensure students feel supported, connected, and aware of available resources, whether they’re on campus or learning virtually. Our goal is to help every student continue their studies and find success.
To connect with a Madison College Navigator, email Recruiting@madisoncollege.edu or call 608-243-4330.
