Outstanding Grad Madisyn Gilsdorf Is First in Her Family — and Far From Finished
For Madisyn Gilsdorf, being the first college graduate in her family hasn’t always been the easiest task. With the support of her fiancé and family, though, she’s not only graduating but completely blazing a new path.
Gilsdorf will graduate in May from Owens Community College with an Associate of Science from the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program. She was also named the program’s outstanding graduate, a reflection of the grit and dedication she displayed.
“It was hard at times to go a different route in life than the rest of my family, but I was always encouraged by my family from each side,” Gilsdorf, of Erie, Michigan, said. “My fiancé has been my biggest supporter. I don’t think I could have made it as far as I did if it wasn’t for him. We have been through so many big life changes and he never once left my side.”
This is Gilsdorf’s second associate degree, after receiving her degree in Education. Just before that graduation, though, she realized that path would leave her unfulfilled. After finishing that degree, she immediate applied at Owens, and despite never considering a future in the healthcare field, she’s never looked back.
“Once I was accepted into the MRI program, I told myself I was going to give it my all and have a new perspective on my education,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect when coming to a new college, but Owens has so much to offer. It completely changed my mindset about my education.
“The MRI faculty is always there when you have questions and concerns; I never felt unheard.”
After graduation, Gilsdorf will continue working at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor as an MRI technologist.
Learn More About the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Program
Published May 2026