CONTACT:
Kathleen Paris, Interim Administrator
Office of Interest-Based Problem Solving
608.246.6498 (office) / kparis@madisoncollege.edu
Worldwide initiative acknowledges excellence in facilitation, collaboration
MADISON, Wis.—The International Association of Facilitators has given its Facilitation Impact
Award to Madison Area Technical College for its efforts to create a culture of interest-based problem
solving. The project, titled “Supporting Collaboration and Consensus-based Decision Making,” earned
an FIA Silver Award and is one of 20 facilitation projects worldwide to be honored.
Criteria against which projects were submitted for judging include organizational benefits; the impact
of the project in advancing the organization’s mission, vision and values; fostering an atmosphere of
collaborative decision making and working partnerships, and creating and sustaining a participatory
environment.
Kathleen Paris, interim administrator of Madison College’s office of Interest-Based Problem Solving
(IBPS), says IBPS seeks to ensure the voices of college employees at every level and students are
represented in crucial conversations that inform decision making.
“To ensure the best possible outcome of any discussion, it’s important that all interests are represented
up front,” Paris said. “Madison College has adopted the IBPS approach to issues management and
conflict resolution to ensure that key decisions are made collaboratively.” She credits Madison College
President Jack Daniels III for initiating the college’s movement toward a culture of IBPS.
Madison College facilitators recognized for their work in the FIA Silver Award-winning project include
Jeremy Kautza, part-time faculty coordinator in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning;
Michael Lussenden, performing arts instructor; Michael McDaniel, English instructor; Janice Mettauer,
associate dean of the School of Academic Advancement; Kathleen Paris, interim director of the Office
of Interest-Based Problem Solving; Jennifer Sauer, administrative assistant; and Kathryn Sorensen,
associate dean of the School of Business and Applied Arts.
Other FIA Silver Award winners are located in Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Netherlands and the U.K.
Madison College serves more than 40,000 students throughout a 12-county district in south-central
Wisconsin, offering 150 diverse career programs and certificates. Its mission is to provide open access to
quality higher education that fosters lifelong learning and success in the communities it serves. It is the
second-largest institution in the Wisconsin Technical College System.
The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) is a participatory organization that operates in
seven global regions and has members in more than 65 countries. As a professional association, IAF sets
internationally accepted industry standards, provides accreditation, supports a community of practice,
advocates and educates on the power of facilitation and embraces the diversity of facilitators to enable
powerful change. For more information, visit (IAF World | IAF World).