Profiles from the Pack: Joe Parisi

It’s hard to go anywhere in Dane County without encountering a Madison College alumnus, and that includes the Dane County Executive’s office. Recently retired Dane County Executive, Joe Parisi, is a Madison College graduate who sat down with us to talk about the twists and turns of an academic journey, confidence, and his future as a garage band drummer.

How did you choose Madison College?
My journey proves that there is more than one path to follow. I dropped out of high school at 17. At some point after that, I realized that to have a life in which I wasn't constantly struggling, education was the best route for me. I eventually got my GED and found my way to Madison College. 

I quickly found that Madison College (we called it MATC back then) was a really good fit for me even as somewhat of a non-traditional student. The teachers were extremely caring and patient. When I didn't get something right, instead of grading the assignment right away, the teacher would usually just hand it back to me with suggestions. That helped build up my confidence and made me believe that I could succeed in school. 
I went to school part-time and worked and, over the years, I earned enough credits for what the equivalent of an associate's degree would be today. 

Eventually, I transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received my degree in sociology when I was 30. It wasn’t a neat, linear path, but it was the path that got me to where I am today.

How did Madison College prepare you for your career? 
I wasn't sure about my ability to succeed in formal higher education. It seemed pretty intimidating to me, but my experience at Madison College made it seem very approachable and doable. So, it gave me the confidence that I was able to learn and succeed in that environment. I never would have been able to go directly to UW from high school, so it was really kind of the foundation upon which everything was built.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?
We accomplished a lot, especially during my time as county executive, but they certainly weren't my accomplishments alone. I was part of a very big and talented team, and I just happened to be the public face for the work that everyone did. I'm the proudest, or feel the most blessed, to have been able to work with so many caring, talented people in my community. The place where I grew up. The place where I raised my family.

During the pandemic, we did some great work with young people and mental health challenges and access to services. I also feel fortunate to have been part of the work we were able to do around environmental protection and renewable energy in Dane County. The impact and results of much of that work will be generational.

What advice would you have for a high school student thinking about Madison College?
I would say try it on for size and see how it feels. My life is proof that there's no single path. I never could have guessed where my career, my life, would have led. For me, it was always one step at a time. There are many ways to get from point A to point B and most of the time when we're on that journey we have no idea what point B is going to be. High school students don't need to have it all figured out. All they have to try to figure out is what they're going to do next. Maybe next week, next month, or next semester. 

One of the great things about Madison College is the student support available. I’d encourage anybody, especially non-traditional students or students who find themselves in a challenging spot, to seek out help. Talk to an advisor and find out what resources are available. 

And don’t be intimidated. It’s easy to look at everyone else and think their lives are rosy and easy, but we have no idea what paths other people are walking. The fact is, so many people in different situations have succeeded at Madison College. If I can do this, anyone can do it so give it a try. What do you have to lose? 

What are your super skills? 
I’m good at recognizing that I don't have a super skill and knowing where I need help and finding people with super skills. The secret to succeeding in positions like I've held is recognizing that you don't know it all and bringing talented people on board. My role, in a position such as County Executive, was to create an atmosphere where people could thrive and then let them do their jobs.

Speaking of skills, we understand you used to drum in a band. Are you still drumming? 
I’m getting a chance to do a little drumming. After I announced my retirement, I started getting texts from my former bandmates trying to lure me back. I wouldn't rule it out, though I don't know if I want to play in public anymore. At a minimum, I'm sure I'll be headed to the basement or the garage with my buddies and playing a bit now that I have more time.

Any other plans for the future? 
I'm excited about a class on local government and the environment that I’m going to teach at UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. I'm passionate about environmental protection and was fortunate to work in that area as County Executive.  When I was in that role, I often guest lectured at the UW, and I always left those lectures feeling so uplifted from spending time with young people. It really feeds my soul.