Her Story
About Leslie
Dr. Leslie M. Petty, Ed.D., is a distinguished higher education leader, administrator, and advocate for educational access with more than three decades of experience driving institutional excellence and student success. As Dean of the School of Academic Advancement at Madison Area Technical College, she leads academic and administrative initiatives across multiple programs, overseeing strategic planning, organizational management, faculty development, assessment, and fiscal stewardship. Throughout her career, Dr. Petty has earned a reputation for championing equity, inclusion, and belonging while building collaborative partnerships that expand educational opportunities for diverse and historically underrepresented populations. Her expertise in strategic planning, community engagement, and organizational leadership has enabled institutions to strengthen student outcomes, enhance operational effectiveness, and develop innovative pathways to academic and career success.
Prior to joining Madison Area Technical College, Dr. Petty served in several senior leadership roles at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, including Assistant Dean for the Evening, Executive, and Professional MBA Programs and Interim Assistant Dean for the undergraduate business program. There, she led multimillion-dollar operations, introduced innovative graduate program models, advanced digital transformation initiatives, expanded diversity and inclusion efforts, and significantly improved student recruitment, career advancement, and program rankings. Earlier in her career, she spent nearly a decade at Saint Xavier University as Dean of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies and Chief Campus Officer, where she dramatically expanded enrollment, launched successful adult degree programs, strengthened community college partnerships, and enhanced the educational experience for working adult learners. Her career began in student affairs and teaching, providing a strong foundation in student-centered leadership that continues to shape her approach today.
Beyond her institutional leadership, Dr. Petty is deeply committed to community service and workforce development. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, a certified parliamentarian through the National Association of Parliamentarians, and an active leader in organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. She serves in leadership roles with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, where she helps advance workforce readiness and skilled trades initiatives for youth, and has been recognized for her commitment to equity and community impact, including receiving the University of Wisconsin–Madison Outstanding Women of Color Award. Guided by a servant leadership philosophy, Dr. Petty remains dedicated to empowering faculty, staff, and students while creating innovative, accessible educational pathways that foster lifelong learning, economic mobility, and lasting community transformation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Leslie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to waking up each day with a clear sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in others' lives. I have learned that true success is not measured only by titles, accomplishments, or professional milestones, but by the impact we have on the people and communities we are privileged to serve.
Helping others find their path, overcome barriers, and recognize their own potential gives me a deep sense of fulfillment. It motivates me to keep learning, growing, and challenging myself both personally and professionally. I am also guided by resilience, faith in the possibilities ahead, and the belief that leadership is most meaningful when it creates opportunities for others to succeed.
For me, success is ultimately about purpose, service, and growth, and about making every organization, community, and person I encounter better because I had the opportunity to contribute.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Use the past to build the future. Look to the past to move forward.”
This guiding principle has stayed with me throughout my career. Our past experiences, both our successes and our challenges, teach us valuable lessons about who we are, what we are capable of, and how we can grow. I believe we should honor where we have been without becoming confined by it.
Looking back allows us to recognize the people who helped shape our journey, the obstacles we overcame, and the lessons that made us stronger. Then, we can use that knowledge to make wiser decisions, embrace new opportunities, and create a better path forward.
Leadership is about taking what I have learned from the past and using it to create opportunities in the future. We don't leave our past behind; we use it as a foundation to move forward with purpose.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to always keep learning. Education is at the heart of my profession, and this field requires a lifelong commitment to learning, mastering your craft, and adaptability. Stay curious, embrace opportunities that challenge you, and never stop expanding your knowledge and skills.
I would also encourage young women to believe in their voice and their ability to lead. Seek out mentors, build trusting relationships, and don't be afraid to step into spaces where your talents can make a difference.
Most importantly, remember that you don't have to know everything to get started. Be willing to take risks, stay open to growth, and never underestimate the impact you can have on others whose paths differ from yours.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education today is responding to the rapidly changing needs of our students and communities. We are serving increasingly diverse learners who bring different experiences, responsibilities, and barriers to their educational journey. At the same time, technology (AI), workforce demands, and societal changes are transforming what students need from their educational institutions.
I also see tremendous opportunity. We have an opportunity to reimagine education so that it is more accessible, affordable, flexible, and responsive to the needs of today's learners. This means embracing innovative approaches, strengthening partnerships with employers and community organizations, expanding pathways to credentials and careers, and ensuring that every student has the support they need to succeed.
For me, the greatest opportunity is to move beyond simply preparing students for today's jobs and help them develop the confidence, skills, and adaptability to thrive in the future. Education has the power to transform not only individual lives, but families and entire communities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are trust, kindness, and empathy. I believe in leading and living with integrity, treating people with compassion and respect, and taking the time to understand perspectives and experiences that are different from my own. Ultimately, I strive to lead with both purpose and humanity; to make a positive difference in the lives of others while creating spaces where people feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
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