MMSD Unveils New, Aspirational Brand Identity, Inspired by Community Voices

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) today unveiled a new brand identity that reflects the district’s values and aims to strengthen recognition across the community and position Madison as a destination school district.

The brand launch introduces MMSD’s first districtwide logo designed with a clear strategy and marketing lens. The logo was shaped by feedback from students, families, staff, community leaders and the Board of Education.

“An organization of our size and importance in the community needs a unifying symbol that builds recognition, fosters pride and supports our mission to prepare every student for success,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “This new identity is more than a logo. It’s a visual representation of our collective values, our vision for the future and the strong connections that make Madison unique.”

The logo’s design elements represent core aspects of MMSD and the city it serves:

• A bold “M” stands for Madison, emphasizing the city as the heart of the district’s identity.
• A central book symbolizes knowledge, growth, inspiration and literacy as the foundation of learning.
• Pillars underscore strength, stability and unwavering support for students.
• The Capitol dome and skyline honor Madison’s iconic setting and the pride shared across the community.

“MMSD has never truly had its own unified logo identity,” said Edell Fiedler, MMSD’s senior executive director of communications. “Past logos were donated or created without a comprehensive strategy. This process gave us, for the first time, a purpose-built identity that reflects both who we are and where we’re going.”

“This new brand identity reflects the collective pride we share in our schools and our city,” said Nichelle Nichols, president of the MMSD Board of Education. “It’s a symbol of our commitment to every student and of Madison’s strong tradition of public education. We’re excited to see it unite our community as we look to the future.”

The rebranding effort began in March 2025 and included surveys, roundtables and interviews to gather input from students, families, staff, partners and leadership. 

“This is a visual identity that honors our history while boldly looking forward,” Superintendent Gothard said. “It belongs to our entire community, and it represents the strength, pride and promise of public education in Madison.”

The district expects full implementation across facilities, communications and signage over the next year.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Dupaco Maximizes Mortgage Rate Relief Program to Support Homebuyers

Dubuque, Iowa – Dupaco Credit Union has successfully concluded its participation in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) Mortgage Rate Relief Program, ensuring funds allocated to the credit union were used to make homeownership more affordable for eligible buyers. 

Through this initiative, Dupaco provided permanent mortgage rate reductions to qualifying homebuyers, helping them achieve long-term savings and greater financial stability. The program reflects Dupaco’s ongoing commitment to improving members’ financial well-being and supporting sustainable homeownership across the communities it serves. 

“This program was about more than just lowering rates—it was about opening doors,” said Krystal Frederick, AVP Mortgage Lending at Dupaco. “We’re proud to have helped so many members take that important step toward homeownership, and we remain committed to finding new ways to make those dreams a reality.” 

While the special Mortgage Rate Relief program has ended, Dupaco continues to support homebuyers with personalized guidance and affordable financing options. This includes fixed-rate mortgages, VA loans, first-time homebuyer programs, construction and lot loans and investment property financing. Dupaco’s mortgage team is available to find the right fit for your home, budget and goals. 

For more information on Dupaco’s home loan programs, visit http://www.dupaco.com/HomeLoans. 

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ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 175,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com. 

ABOUT FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement. FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com. 

CyberNINES CEO Appointed Chair of The Cyber AB’s C3PAO Advisory Council

MADISON, WI, UNITED STATES, August 14, 2025 — CyberNINES CEO Scott Singer has been appointed Chair of The Cyber AB’s inaugural C3PAO Advisory Council.

The Cyber AB will leverage the Council as a primary source of advice and feedback, both for its role as an ISO/IEC 17011:2017-compliant accreditation body and to help shape the CMMC Ecosystem. The Council will provide insights on assessment methodologies, CMMC implementation, and emerging technologies relevant to the program.

As co-founder and CEO of CyberNINES, Scott brings more than 30 years of experience, including active duty and reserve service in the U.S. Navy. He has deep expertise in regulatory frameworks and government contracting, including FAR, DFARS, and NIST SP 800-171. Scott has testified before Congress on CMMC Implementation: What It Means for Small Businesses.

“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of The Cyber AB’s C3PAO Advisory Council at such a critical moment for the CMMC Program. Our goal is to ensure we are meeting the rigorous certification requirements while supporting our Defense Industrial Base (DIB). I look forward to working alongside my fellow Council members to provide guidance, promote best practices, and help strengthen cybersecurity across the entire CMMC Ecosystem.”
— Scott Singer, CEO, CyberNINES

Members of the C3PAO Advisory Council volunteer their time and serve in a non-compensatory capacity. Each member will serve a two-year term and oversee specialized committees on accreditation, assessment guidance, external services, and the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP).

About CyberNINES

As an authorized CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), CyberNINES provides COMPLIANCE WITHOUT COMPLEXITY^® delivering expert assessments, remediation, and full journey consulting to businesses nationwide. CyberNINES is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) focused on those supporting the U.S. Department of Defense. Their mission is to guide businesses through their entire cybersecurity journey, protecting critical systems and information from ever-evolving threats.

For more information, visit: https://cybernines.com.

MMSD Engages Improve Your Tomorrow to Support College-Focused, Historically Underserved High School Students

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has contracted with Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), a national educational nonprofit that specializes in supporting young men of color on their journey to and through college, to provide mentoring, academic supports and culturally responsive programming in select MMSD schools for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years.

The organization’s mission is to dramatically increase the number of Black male students who graduate from college. The organization’s model is rooted in building long-term, trusting relationships with students, strengthening their connection to school and helping them see themselves as college-bound and career-ready. 

“We see this as a direct investment in a demographic of our high school students who have historically been underserved,” said Mary Jankovich, MMSD’s executive director of college, career and community readiness. “IYT’s approach provides the mentorship and support that help students envision themselves as college graduates and leaders in their communities.”

Through its College Academy program, the nonprofit works with students across multiple years to build a foundation for success. Year one emphasizes relationships and belonging; year two focuses on improved attendance and positive behavior; and year three highlights measurable academic growth. This staged approach helps schools and districts track progress over time and ensures that the work leads to sustainable outcomes.

“We know that students thrive when they feel connected, affirmed and supported,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, MMSD’s assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “IYT’s programming is designed to create those conditions while also addressing key drivers of student success, from attendance to academics. It’s a holistic model that aligns with our district’s goals.”

In addition to mentoring and academic support, IYT also provides enrichment opportunities designed to expose students to college campuses, career pathways and leadership development. These experiences help students build confidence, expand their networks and prepare for life after high school.

The district selected IYT after reviewing its proven success in other districts, where participants demonstrated higher levels of engagement, improved graduation rates, and increased enrollment in postsecondary education. MMSD will work closely with IYT to track outcomes and ensure that the program is meeting the needs of Madison students. All services will be provided at no cost to families, and outcomes will be reviewed annually to guide future improvements. 

To learn more about the opportunities available to MMSD high school, including its early college academies, please visit the MMSD website. 

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge campus marks 25 years of meeting needs in Madison

State, county and local leaders gathered at Oakwood Village’s Prairie Ridge campus on Wednesday, July 30 to mark a quarter century for this community that serves older adults.

In 2000, longtime local nonprofit Oakwood Village responded to growing demand with the launch of a new continuing care community, on an 18-acre site 10 miles east of downtown Madison. Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge has expanded in the years since, and now offers nearly 300 apartments, multiple stages of assisted living support, memory care, and skilled nursing. Residents also enjoy a gym, salon, outdoor spaces, a volunteer-run store, and multiple restaurants.

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, Congressman Mark Pocan, and Madison Deputy Mayor Katie Crawley joined Oakwood leadership and residents for a joyful celebration in the campus’ Tree of Life Chapel. A highlight was the multiple residents in attendance who have lived at Prairie Ridge since its founding.

“Over the past quarter century, this campus has served as a cornerstone for countless families across Dane County,” Agard said. “… As County Executive, I’m especially grateful for partners like Oakwood Village, who share in our mission of building a Dane County where everyone can thrive.”

President and CEO Jan Hamilton-Crawford emphasized that Prairie Ridge is more than just buildings: It’s a living community of laughter, friendships, dedicated caregivers, and peaceful surroundings, a place where dignity and independence take center stage. The ceremony was a chance not just to reflect on the past, she said, but to renew a commitment to a future that prioritizes well-being and happiness.

“I am grateful today that our community, this greater Madison area, gets to have such a beautiful facility that continues to understand the needs of our community and the needs of the residents who come here,” Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America South Central Synod, said in a recorded message for those in attendance.

About Oakwood Village

Oakwood Village is a nonprofit, continuing care community with two campuses in Madison, Wisconsin. For over 75 years, this community has helped older adults lead lives of personal growth, happiness, health, and security.