Girls in Tech - Madison

Madison came to DACC, prepared to be the minority female in a male-dominated program. Instead, she was pleasantly surprised to find that in the Wildlife and Resource Management program, she is surrounded by other strong girls who have the same interests. As Madison explains, “Many of us plan to go to the same college after graduation and can continue to support each other. It is an empowering feeling to be in a cohort of women that challenges me and celebrates my accomplishments.”

Madison enrolled in the Wildlife program because she enjoys everything about the outdoors. “I'd say it was an integral part of my childhood. I enjoy the sciences related to animals, plants, and natural resources. Hands-on learning is how I learn best. I get to be out in the field every day.”

Part of that hands-on learning is the use of power tools. “I enjoyed the units of forestry and dendrology (tree identification). It was fun and empowering to learn how to use such a powerful tool as a chainsaw to aid and support my research.

When she’s outside, she can also be found searching for and studying mushrooms. As part of her senior project, she will be publishing a field guide of what she has found in her research of various identifiers and properties of the mushroom species at Camp Lazarus. She hopes her field guide can be used by future students in the program so that this research can continue after she graduates.

After graduation, Madison plans to attend Hocking College in the Parks and Museum Education program. “The program combines my appreciation for history and research with my love for natural sciences,” she said. “This could pave the way for me to become a museum curator, an educator, a naturalist, or a park ranger/interpreter.”