Madsen receives CSC's Teaching Excellence Award

Madsen said she was honored, excited and humbled to receive the award.

“I believe that no one succeeds alone and am extremely grateful and very much appreciate my family, administration, colleagues, staff, students, mentors and role models who encouraged and supported me. It has been an amazing journey with each new day offering new and exciting opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others,” Madsen said.

Dr. Yvonne Moody, also a professor in Applied Sciences, said Madsen has had a remarkable career since arriving at CSC as a graduate assistant in 1983.

“Dr. Madsen truly lives the attributes this award recognizes. She manages to incorporate skills and theory from her perpetual learning endeavors in the projects she leads on our campus,” said Moody, who nominated Madsen.

One of those projects was a First Year Inquiry course, Survival Skills, (FYI 169X) Madsen teaches. In it, students are required to contact a nationally known speaker and be responsible for arrangements to bring the individual to campus. One of the most notable was Dr. Temple Grandin in 2016.

In a letter of support, Dr. Joel Hyer, said Grandin’s visit was an event many of the more than 1,500 attendees will never forget.

Hyer applauded Madsen for being one of the first CSC faculty members to teach an FYI course, in addition to embracing technology to enhance student learning. Her students go on to demonstrate that they are also competent using technology, according to Hyer.

Dr. Teresa Frink, Applied Sciences department chair, said Madsen’s classrooms are student-centered.

She also noted Madsen’s leadership in designing the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Special Education and Early Childhood Education degree approved in 2017.

Frink also praised Madsen for her vision, planning, and grant writing skills that brought the Nature Explore Outdoor Learning Environment to the CDC in 2009.

In addition to teaching, Madsen directed the Child Development Center (CDC) from 1989 to 2013 and led the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation of the CDC six times starting in 1990. Frink said the CDC is one of two nationally accredited Nebraska child development laboratories.

In addition to receiving a $1,000 award from the Chadron State Foundation and plaque, Madsen now becomes a finalist for the Nebraska State College System Teaching Excellence Award to be announced later. It is presented annually to one full-time faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching, service and leadership across the system, including Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges. 

The NSCS Board has awarded the NSCS Teaching Excellence Award since 1984.