It Felt Like Home
Seamlessly blending studies in Human Services with a Business Administration minor, Madalyn Kelsey aspires to own a daycare in Nebraska, charting her unique path at the intersection of education and entrepreneurship.
Madalyn is a junior from Adair, Iowa. When it came time to think about college, Madalyn said she wanted to go to a smaller school since she grew up in a small town. “I wanted something that was more of a community feel where I would know my professors and classmates and have those closer relationships.”
One of the reasons why Madalyn chose Midland University was because her mom attended and graduated from Midland. “She (Madalyn’s mom) put it on my radar. I visited, and it felt like home, so I decided to come here.”
When she originally came to Midland, Madalyn was an elementary education major because she thought she wanted to go into teaching. However, she realized that she wanted to go into early childhood and work in a daycare, so she switched her major to human services to be more focused in the daycare aspect. She chose to pursue a business administration minor because she believes it will help her get a baseline of what it is like to run her own business.
Another reason Madalyn decided Midland was the best place for her was because she would be able to continue her track and field career. “I wouldn’t have been able to participate in track and field at another school, so being able to do that was nice.”
Madalyn competes in the shot put, discus, hammer, and weight throw for the team. Along with being part of the team, she is also involved with the Pi Epsilon Sorority and serves as a student peer advisor.
One of Madalyn’s favorite things about Midland is that she has many friends and knows many people since it is a small campus. She also likes how easy it is to be involved on campus–and how small Fremont is as well. “I like that Fremont is kind of small but also big enough that you can still do fun activities on the weekends.”
According to Madalyn, Midland has helped her grow more confident in herself. “I’ve learned to say yes to more opportunities. Normally, I wouldn’t have the confidence to be interviewed for a student profile, but now I have the confidence to say yes. I would also say being a student peer advisor helped me branch out and mentor people as well.”
Madalyn said that her professors have helped her throughout her journey because she is able to go to them if she has any questions or problems.
“Prior to her becoming a professor, I made a really good connection with one of my professors through a daycare she ran. I have been asking her questions about her past experiences and leaning on her for advice in that area.”
Madalyn Kelsey is a junior Human Services major from Adair, Iowa.
