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Darin Wellons is an extraordinary Madison College student parent. He returned to school not only to improve his life but elevate his children's lives. His week is filled with taking care of his family and his community as he coaches others and delivers snack packs to people in need.
Congratulations on your upcoming December graduation. Tell us what motivated you to return to college.
I am a single father of two wonderful kids. Originally from a small town near Madison, Wisconsin, I graduated high school in 2008 and found a career as a master automotive mechanic, which I did for about a decade. When public schools closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and I had to leave work, I realized I needed to set a better example for my children and decided to attend college. I enrolled in Web Software Development at Madison College and will graduate in December 2024.
Please tell us how your kids are benefitting from your college experience.
My kids have been actively involved in my educational journey, accompanying me to campus and feeling more than welcome. They recently came to school with me during Protective Service Week; my son received a goody bag with a junior badge from Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett. Now, he wants to become a police officer. My kids have explored the Truax campus and say they want to go to school here when they get older.
What Madison College resources are most useful to you?
That would be the Early Learning Campus Child Care service. That resource is super awesome because childcare is such a huge barrier: you can’t do anything as a parent without childcare. Another helpful resource is the Madison College WorkSmart program. When I have questions, and I am not sure about something, they help me. They stayed with me, pushing me when I needed it.
You are a strong advocate for other student parents. Why is that so important?
I come from an environment where you do everything for yourself, and asking for help is looked down upon. But when I found myself needing help, I realized that the people who helped me made a big impression on me. I now find that giving back to people makes me feel better: At Madison College, I serve as co-chair of the Student Parent Support Team and treasurer of the Parenting Students Club. I am a member of Generation Hope’s Student Parent Advocacy Alliance, and earlier this year, I also served as a parent advisor at the Aspen Institute’s Ascending in Wisconsin convening. Outside of school, I work as a job coach at a Community Outreach Center, assisting differently-abled adults. It is fulfilling to set a positive example for my children while giving back to our community. Together, we volunteer once a week to deliver snack packs to their school to address food insecurity.
What advice do you have for parents considering a return to college?
Although the logistical part of it may seem out of the question for student parents, I would say you have to go for it, jobs will work with you, and childcare will work with you. The biggest step is the first step and that commitment, but everything will fall into place after that.
Profiles from the Pack spotlight employees, students and alumni who make the Madison College community vibrant. Discover entertaining, informational and inspirational Q&A profiles from the WolfPack community twice monthly.
