Education

MS, Advertising, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
BS, Speech Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Responsibilities

Madigan is the primary contact for corporate relations and all career-related activities at the School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER.) She advises LER students on matters related to career development and job placement, holds primary responsibility for building relationships with new corporate partners, and manages ongoing relationships with long-time partners across a variety of industries, including bp, ExxonMobil, General Mills, PepsiCo, Polaris, and  UnitedHealth Group. She built and maintains the portfolio for the corporate scholarship program at LER.

Nell serves as the Chief Communications Officer for the School, overseeing the coordination of electronic and print communications as well as digital marketing efforts, social media, and the ongoing content development and maintenance of the LER web site. She is the facilities manager for all building renovations and capital projects, including a $6 million building addition and renovation, the first expansion of the School’s footprint since the building opened in 1960. She also ensures the efficient operation of the School and daily administrative functions.

In addition to her School responsibilities she serves on the campus-wide Career Services Council (past Chair,) the CSC Steering Committee, Chief Communications Officer’s committee, Facilities Planning Committee and the HR Caucus. She played a key role in establishing the ongoing Hire Illini marketing campaign, targeting employers for enhanced recruiting relationships with the University, and is involved in activities to enhance and maintain the campaign.

Nell has presented at NACE, Midwest ACE and Illinois ACE on a variety of topics ranging from ethics to etiquette. She has held a variety of leadership positions with the Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers, serving on the assembly from 2006-2008 and the executive board from 2009 – 2016.

She has given presentations on etiquette to students and professionals across her campus and community, in addition to a variety of presentations on networking and personal branding. In addition to other professional activities, she served on the Board of Directors for JB Training Solutions and Recsolu (dba Yello).

Awards

Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award, University of Illinois, 2023
Founders Distinguished Service Award, Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers, 2017
JW Paquette Superior Leadership Award, Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers, 2015
President’s Award, Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers, 2010

Experience

Associate Dean, External Relations and Operations, LER
Associate Dean, LER
Assistant Dean & Director of Career Services, LER
Assistant Director & Career Services Coordinator, LER
Assistant to the Director, University of Illinois Online/Illinois Virtual Campus
Assistant to the Director & Precollege Coordinator, Office of Admissions and Records, University of Illinois