Enrollments Surge for Fall
With the start of the fall semester, WCTC is experiencing the largest enrollment increases in over 20 years. Although enrollments are still in flux, currently full-time equivalency (FTE) enrollments are up 16%, associate degree enrollments are up 18% and total credit and non-credit enrollments are up 8% over last fall. The double digit increases are attributed to a variety of factors including retraining needs of dislocated workers and access to an affordable quality education.
The enrollment spike was featured in numerous print news stories and on Channel 12. Watch the video now.
Financial Aid Needs Soar with Enrollments
As of the end of August, WCTC received 4180 Financial Aid Applications which exceeds the 3637 applications received during all of 2008-09. These figures do not include Veterans benefits. Last year, 2171 students were awarded financial aid and scholarships. As of today, 1215 students have been awarded financial aid for 2009-10; that number could reach 3000 next spring.
WCTC Student:
Print Media Student Wins National Award
WCTC Print Media student Jeff Thome received a Best of Category award in the "Student Prepress through Production" category of the Printing Industries of Wisconsin's annual Graphics Excellence competition.
His project – a poster entitled "Choo Choo Train" – was then entered into the same category in the Printing Industry of America's Premier Print Awards where it again won first place. Jeff will receive his national award in September at this year's Print 09 tradeshow in Chicago. He is currently employed at Quad/Graphics.
WCTC Board Member:
Mary Wehrheim, President, Stanek Tool
"My business is dependent on quality people, and WCTC is vital in training those people. Technical colleges play a pivotal role in education and training in Wisconsin today. They provide a solid education at a good value and in close partnership with local businesses. They also function as an engine of workforce and economic development for local communities, providing a positive return on investment for students, businesses, and taxpayers.
The vast array of courses from police science, to culinary arts, to advanced manufacturing, to printing, to healthcare offer so many opportunities to obtain the education necessary to secure a fulfilling, family-sustaining career."
WCTC Graduate:
Culinary Grad Catering Chef at Miller Park
Mike Clark possessed a bachelor's degree and 15 years of sales and management experience when he decided to pursue his passion of cooking. After researching culinary institutes around the country, he discovered WCTC was one of approximately 125 out of 800 programs holding American Culinary Federation accreditation.
He enrolled in 2002 and took advantage of an internship at Milwaukee Sports Service at Miller Park. By graduation in 2004, Mike was offered a full-time position as their year-round Catering Chef. He now oversees approximately 30 employees and his kitchen provides food for 800 events annually, feeding approximately 80,000 people.
"WCTC provided me with the technical skills as well as the problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills needed to succeed in any segment of the food service industry."
See other recent news articles about WCTC
WCTC Applies for Grants
Wind Energy Electric System:
A proposed WE Energies and Focus on Energy grant would help WCTC fund a Wind Energy Electric System that would be located behind the Electronics building and generate approximately the annual electricity of an average home. The Wind Energy System, along with the existing Solar PV System, would provide renewable energy for the college and learning opportunities for students.
Community Computing Center:
WCTC proposes to enhance its Career Center services to dislocated workers by implementing an online training and support service through a Career Connect Success project. This project would provide online intake and assessment to help evaluate client career goals and interests as well as list the job skills training and educational requirements needed to successfully re-enter the workforce. Students would complete the training at the WCTC Community Computer Center facilities or online.