Madeline Voelker

Biography

My name is Madeline Mercado Voelker, and I am one of the assistant directors of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI). I am an alumna of the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico—Bayamón Campus. In 1993, I moved to Michigan from Puerto Rico and joined Michigan Tech, where I have held a number of positions.

In 1999, the Department of Educational Opportunity hired me as the first Hispanic/Latino(a) Outreach Coordinator. I directed Michigan College and University Partnership (MICUP) at Michigan Tech from 2000 to 2010. Through my leadership, the MICUP program received several awards and recognitions on both the state and national level.

I am now working on a new initiative, the Transfer Scholars Research Program, which focuses on community college transfer students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and provides them with the skills to excel in academic research.

I serve as the founding and current advisor for the student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). I actively participate in Michigan Tech’s efforts to recruit undergraduate and graduate students in the United States. I have collaborated with the Mexican Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) to recruit graduate students from Mexico, and I am the liaison for Hispanic Serving Institutions in Puerto Rico.

Sasha, my best friend and all-season buddy, is a lab-retriever mix and truly is the best companion. Her two biggest loves in life are swimming in Lake Superior in the summer and snowshoeing with me in the winter.

I also love to travel! Some of the countries I have visited include Turkey, South Africa, and Mexico (over six states). My husband and I have been blessed with one amazing little boy, and we enjoy and embrace the miracle of being parents. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, swimming, and Zumba.