Patrick Madsen

Dr. Patrick Madsen serves as Associate Dean of Advising & Experiential Learning and Executive Director of the Career Center at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He leads the design and execution of the “Charlotte Model,” which integrates academic advising, career education, and experiential learning so that students not only graduate on time, but also gain the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in their professions and communities. In this capacity, he oversees the offices that provide academic advising, career guidance, and experiential opportunities, and collaborates across the university to scale this vision. Together these services support the full “life cycle” of a student—from commitment to Charlotte, through their academic journey, to discovering their purpose in career and community.

Dr. Madsen holds a B.A. in Psychology from North Carolina State University, an M.Ed. in Counseling from East Carolina University, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership / Student Affairs from Nova Southeastern University. He brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, including more than two decades of university‑level teaching. He has presented and consulted nationally and internationally on topics such as counseling and student development, leadership and followership, and organizational development. As a Fulbright Specialist, he is recognized as an international expert in career services and higher education.

His portfolio includes the centralized Career Center, exploratory (undecided) advising, the Transfer Center, advising systems, pre‑health and pre‑law services, Undergraduate Research, the Peer Hub, and campus‑wide advising structures and councils.