Biography
Madalyn Schenk is a recent alumna of Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement earning the degree of Master of Liberal Arts 52 years after graduating from the University of Illinois. She is a devoted member of the New Orleans community furthering high-quality education programs that assist people in becoming their best selves.
A proponent of early childhood education and school readiness, Madalyn has worked tirelessly to make childcare more accessible and affordable to low-income families. She introduced NCJW’s Home Instruction Program for Preschooler Youngsters to New Orleans, then successfully advocated for its expansion to seven other areas of Louisiana. She was an early supporter of United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Success By 6 Program and Louisiana’s Star Rating and School Readiness Tax Credits. She was a founding board member of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.
Recognized for her ability to get things done, Madalyn served as President of the NOCCA Institute Board during Katrina and was later elected President of the NOCCA governing board when Louisiana was facing a fiscal cliff. She was the founding President of the Foundation for Science and Math Education, Inc. and instrumental in helping secure a permanent home in the BioDistrict for The New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School.
Madalyn shares with Tulane a passion for combining community service with higher education. Elected as the third Chairperson of the Louisiana Serve Commission, she not only helped to oversee Louisiana’s AmeriCorps programming, but also led the New Orleans delegation to The Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in Philadelphia. Following its success, she was an organizer for the New Orleans Summit for America’s Promise.
In 2016, Madalyn helped to launch the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice, a collaboration between Loyola Law School and the United Way of Southeast Louisiana. The program teaches a deeper understanding of our system of government and encourages civil discourse and debate.
Madalyn looks forward to serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council and supporting SoPA’s mission to provide students with marketable skills through effective education.