Madison Perkins grew up in Gilbert, Arizona, but her sense of self reaches far beyond the desert. She traces her roots to the Cook Inlet Region through her mother’s side, and her great-grandmother, Mary Pearson of Gold Creek, remains an anchor in her family’s story. That history continues to guide the way Madison moves through school, work, and community.

She first learned about The CIRI Foundation through a moment of generosity. A high school basketball teammate’s grandparents, who live in Anchorage, shared information about CIRI with her parents. Their willingness to pass something on—one family strengthening another—became Madison’s introduction to TCF. It deepened her connection to her Alaska Native heritage and opened a path she felt called to follow.

Madison always gravitated toward numbers. She explored different majors before finding her place in data analytics, a field where curiosity, logic, and persistence intersect. In May 2025, she earned her master’s degree with a 4.0 GPA and a place on the Distinguished Scholars List. The achievement holds special meaning because her undergraduate years were challenging and required resilience she did not always feel she had. 

Family, Faith, and Resilience

Graduate school tested her in new ways. When doubt crept in, her family met her with encouragement, prayer, and steady support. Their support mirrors what we heard in TCF’s 2025 Community Needs Assessment, which found that family encouragement plays a central role in student success.

Teaching, Giving Back, and Staying Connected

Today, Madison works as a reporting analyst at Cadence Education and teaches SQL coding to undergraduates as an adjunct faculty member at Grand Canyon University. She values teaching because she remembers when data felt intimidating and wants students to experience the confidence that comes from understanding something once out of reach.

Her ways of giving back extend beyond the classroom. She helps her sister care for two young daughters, supports the family farm, and visits her grandmother in Texas to stay connected to stories and traditions from her Alaska roots.

These choices reflect the intergenerational care and community connection that the Na’eda Network celebrates among alumni.

Purpose, Pride, and the Path Ahead

That sense of purpose reflects values she shares with many TCF alumni who aim to make a positive impact wherever their paths lead.

Madison hopes to pursue a PhD and is among TCF’s early alumni who help strengthen the sense of connection across our community. She wants to offer encouragement to students who will follow after her. Her message to current students and emerging leaders is one she knows from experience:

“Never give up and always work as hard as you can. It will get you a long way, and when you look back, you will never regret not trying.”

A Shared Investment in Success

Madison’s undergraduate and graduate studies represent years of focus, discipline, and dedication. Her accomplishments demonstrate the lasting impact of educational opportunity, which is carried forward through her work, her family, and her community. TCF is honored to support Madison’s journey and to see her contributions ripple through her family and community.

She describes her journey in three words: Empowering, Transformative, Gratifying.