Madison College participates in a program where students can gain career development and potential work experience in the Federal Government.
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private-sector employers nationwide with recent graduates with disabilities who are interested in using their skills and talents to serve the public.
Asia Xiong is the college’s representative and coordinator for the program. Part of Xiong’s role and responsibilities in Career and Employment Services, is to support students with disabilities with barriers to gaining employment, internships, or program-related experiences.
Supporting the WRP are the Disabilty Resource Services (DRS) and Career Employment Services (CES), which work together to support students through WRP.
“I want to provide all opportunities for people to know their choices and be able to make the best choice for them, considering their life circumstances or where they would want to go,” Xiong said.
To participate in the program, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be an individual with a disability.
• Be enrolled in a degree program or have graduated two years before applying.
• Be a full-time student (unless specified by a medical professional) or enrolled in their last semester in the program.
• Provide the necessary documentation required by the federal agency, called a Schedule A letter, where a medical professional would attest an individual has a physical, mental or psychological disability.

There is no cap on the number of students participating in the program.
The general application begins in August when Madison College’s coordinator ensures that the student meets the requirements, visits with the student, and discusses other program logistics.
The WRP coordinator meets with students to help them with career advice and an application review as part of an informational interview. The Career and Employment Services (CES) can help write different forms of resumes. Candidates prepare for the mock interview with the WRP court representative.
The second part of the application, a resume, will be due in late October. The resume is just a part of the application process. The coordinator assesses where the student will need accommodations for the mock interview. (The mock interview, where the coordinator coaches the candidate, is optional but encouraged).
If the student meets all the requirements, they are placed on the federal employee list in January, where they can access Federal Government jobs and internships nationwide. This list is provided to all state departments and federal government agencies so they can hire the candidate. Employers can contact the student directly about positions that match their skills and qualifications.
A program candidate doesn’t necessarily need to already have a work history as the program is geared toward college graduates. Depending on the career one is pursuing, if they have the education and qualifications, they are cleared for the program regardless of the experience.
“Generally, with any career, if you have some experience doing that, it helps to bolster your qualifications with a particular role, but it’s not necessary,” said Xiong.
Previously incarcerated students (with a disability) are also eligible. The student’s prior situation is not a barrier to federal employment. However, depending on their circumstances, there might be a barrier to certain programs like the Transportation and Safety Authority or the Department of Defense. However, they are generally accepted into the different federal programs and are encouraged to apply.
For more information on the Workforce Recruitment Program please contact:

• Asia Xiong at [email protected].
• Disability Resource Center Anna Nickolai-Spanel and [email protected].
• Career and Employment Services at [email protected].