By Audrey Werth/ tr news editor

Sean Madison, TR Campus’ new president, wasn’t sure exactly what career he would have after graduating from Morehouse College. He considered becoming an attorney but wasn’t prepared for that out of school.

“Like many of our students, I was just wondering what I wanted to do or be when I grew up,” Madison said.

Madison then found an opportunity to receive a fellowship and teach at Miami Dade College for three years.

“I was awarded the fellowship and used it at Boston University,” he said.

While in Boston, Madison tried his hand at teaching high school but realized that wasn’t what he wanted.

When he moved to Miami, Madison began teaching English Composition to community college students.

“I fell in love with the mission of the community college,” he said. “That mission is to see ‘What can we do to create the opportunity to change people’s lives?’”

Madison said he enjoys seeing a student come to community college as one person and leave as someone more equipped to achieve his or her goals.

While teaching at Miami Dade, Madison was recruited for leadership groups and eventually moved from teaching into administration.

Madison served as chair of English and college preparatory studies, dean of academic and student affairs and district director of learning outcomes assessment.

“I was just enjoying teaching at the time,” he said. “But, I had outstanding mentors who told me I should try to move into leadership roles to have a different impact on students.”

Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Madison moved to TCC after serving as president of Broward College’s South Campus.

A committee of students, faculty and staff selected Madison for his previous experience with an Achieving the Dream institution and his work on a 4DX program — the four disciplines of execution designed by Sean Covey that organizations can use to move strategy into action.

“The committee was very impressed with his background and his experience and felt that he was a great candidate to lead TCC, specifically TR, from where we are now and into the future,” vice chancellor of student success and academic affairs Joy Gates Black said.

Madison said he embraces the chance to be TR president.

“It was a place where I felt I could contribute, to continue to build on the fine work that has already been done here,” he said.

TR SGA president Montana Spencer said he has met with Madison several times and, though he misses retiring president Tahita Fulkerson, he is excited to see what Madison will bring.

“I look forward to getting to know Dr. Madison and working with him,” he said.