Profiles from the Pack: Peggy Nolden

Madison College has been a constant in Peggy Nolden’s life for more than two decades. As a student, alumna and longtime employee, she has experienced the college from every angle, which gives her a unique ability to connect students to the resources and community that helped shape her own journey. From organizing the Celebrate a Nurse 5K to cheering graduates at nurse pinning ceremonies, guiding students to success is what Peggy does best.  

Madison College has been a part of your life for some time - what made it so sticky for you?
I started as a student and earned two degrees from Madison College. Being from the Reedsburg area and having a campus in my own backyard made it convenient. And my sisters went to Madison College, so it was familiar. Convenience and familiarity may be why I came. But it’s not why I stayed.  

The opportunity to help students is so fulfilling to me - I’ve been in their shoes, and now I’m in a position to support them. I remember one student who came in and told me he wanted to take a heavy course load, and I had to tell him that wasn’t going to work. He was disappointed, but I connected him with an advisor, and he stuck it out and finished his two-year degree this May. He came in after graduation, and I was crying like I was his sister because I was so proud of him. Building relationships like that just makes my day.

Tell us a bit about your jobs on campus.
My first Madison College job was as a note taker for an economics class when I was a student. Since then, I’ve had a few different roles at the Madison campus and for the past 11 years I’ve been full-time in the Reedsburg Campus office.  

At Reedsburg, we wear a lot of hats, but my primary roles are event planning and assisting students. I organize our Celebrate a Nurse 5K, which happens every May. We just concluded our fifth annual event, which raises about $12,000 a year. It's a big deal because the nursing program is a big part of the Reedsburg campus, and it's a great showcase for the program, our students and our alumni.

I also help with the Skilled Trade Showcase, which is the big event at the Portage campus. We bring in our different trade programs and have high schoolers and community members come to learn about the career opportunities in the trades.

What's your super skill?
I had to ask my colleague about this one. She said I was compassionate and inspirational and that I always give encouragement and help keep students grounded.  

What do you enjoy doing away from work?
My husband and I – he was my high school sweetheart – have three amazing girls who are all very active. I’m their biggest cheerleader, and you can usually find me at their activities. They showed goats for the first time this year for 4-H, which was fun and a learning experience for everyone. I also enjoy being in the kitchen, baking and cooking. We live on a dairy farm, so I spend a lot of time outside.  

Is there a Madison College moment that makes you proud?
I love the Celebrate a Nurse 5K. To see all of our community members, faculty, staff, current students, and alumni come back together is amazing.  

Our Reedsburg campus nurse pinning ceremony is another highlight.  When you get to see those graduates on stage, getting pinned by their loved ones, hearing their stories, and knowing you've helped them from day one is an amazing feeling. 

Most of these students are going to work nearby and become part of the community, which means I’m not just helping the students but Reedsburg as well. I love that the Reedsburg campus and the community are so linked and that the college supports the community and vice versa.