Search | Menu Madison College President Dr. Jack Daniels Receives Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award
President Dr. Jack Daniels’ efforts in community building, equity, and inclusion and creating a space where all students can achieve success, reflect the values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Daniels will be honored for his 10-plus year legacy in Madison and Dane County with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award.
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced the honorees on Jan. 6. The City-County Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission selected the award winners who reflect the values of Dr. King.
“Dr. Daniels embodies the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through his dedication to serve our community and build a better tomorrow,” Parisi said. “With Dr. Daniels’ legacy in higher education, he is dedicated to making our community a better place to call home. Congratulations to Dr. Daniels for receiving this award.”
President Daniels has led Madison College’s cultural transformation through collaborative government and alignment with principles of equity and inclusion. Mayor Rhodes-Conway praised the 2024 honorees, “I thank them all for their work exemplifying the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and congratulate them on being chosen for this honor.”
Daniels’ 40 years in higher education spans diverse institutions from community and technical colleges to graduate schools. His career has been multifaceted, serving in roles from esteemed professor to dedicated dean and college president.
Notably, during his tenure as Madison Area Technical College President, Daniels has fostered a collaborative governance environment that champions respect and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of faculty, staff, and students. His visionary leadership has reshaped the college's response to its diverse communities, propelling its transformation into a culture deeply rooted in principles of equity and inclusion.
Under Daniels' guidance, Madison College has achieved significant milestones, including establishing the Goodman South Campus in 2019—a testament to his commitment to providing educational and community resources to the city's most underserved populations. His initiatives encompass the development of high school academies, workforce training programs, transfer agreements with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), and support for guaranteed transfer programs with various institutions.
City and county officials will present the award at the annual City-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at 6 p.m. Full event details at mlkingcoalition.org.
