Blackhawk Magazine: Summer/Fall 2026

Summer/Fall 2026

BLACKHAWK MAGAZINE

g in d il u B FUTURES EARLY

The Power of Dual Credit at Blackhawk

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ON THE COVER Alexander Castellanos and Patty Hernandez get together for a photo after the Commencement ceremony.

Read the full story on page 8.

SUMMER/FALL 2026 MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Cassie Hartje Managing Editor, Reporter Ryan Kanable Art Director, Photographer Amanda Urish Contributing Designer, Photographer Angie Kablar Digital Editor Dave von Falkenstein Contributing Editor Carrie Arnold

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In This Issue

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From High School to Medical School Blackhawk Hosts Training in California Dual-Credit Courses at Blackhawk Scot Forge Donates $100K for Manufacturing UC Takes Students Beyond Blackhawk Scholarships Help Make Dreams Into Careers Blackhawk Talons Athletics Commencement Success Across Campuses

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Message from the PRESIDENT

At each Commencement ceremony, I encourage our graduates to take their moment. They have worked hard and persevered. The journey may not have been easy, but with a Blackhawk Technical College education in-hand, the opportunities are endless. And each graduate deserves to be proud and celebrated. I know I can speak for our District Board, faculty and staff when I say that Blackhawk is equally as proud to call each class of graduates, “Alumni.”

As we turn the page on a new semester and the opportunity to serve even more students, Blackhawk remains deeply committed to empowering our community and driving the economic vitality of Rock and Green counties.

Our recently approved strategic plan affirms our mission of supportive and flexible education while highlighting a robust set of strategic priorities focused on student success and experience, evolution and identity, partnerships and pathways, organizational development and effectiveness, and outcome-driven innovation.

Work has already begun as the college begins development of an AI Hub centered on teaching and training students, employees and our community on the myriad ways to utilize this new technology, and we expect to be a go-to training resource for our local employers in short order.

A task force has also been established to focus on initiatives in Green County, one of which is realigning the Monroe Campus to the offerings that meet the needs of our Green County students and partners.

Work to refresh, improve and renovate campus spaces to better meet identified community priorities will begin in the coming year.

Although fall is knocking on the door, Blackhawk has had a summer filled with collaborative youth development experiences and career exploration— many focused on earning and learning—to foster stronger workforce pipelines earlier. This work is vital and does not happen in a vacuum. Thank you to our partners in Rock County 5.0, Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and Hendricks CareerTek, as well as the many employers who opened their doors for internships, tours and talks.

Just as our graduates are embarking on a new chapter, we are stepping into a new and exciting time at Blackhawk. New programs are on the horizon, including Respiratory Therapy, Office Management and construction trades. Our housing partnership with Beloit College has expanded, and there are more options to experience college as a resident. New sports have been added to our competitive athletic offerings.

The University Center is also busy building additional transfer pathways.

There is an energy here, and I invite you to come see for yourself. Whether you’re taking part in a Preview Day with or as a prospective student; serving on an advisory board; attending or hosting a table at a Career Fair; cheering on the Blackhawk Talons; attending an event or training; or simply coming by, you are welcome at Blackhawk. I hope to see you soon.

Tracy Pierner, Ph.D. President, Blackhawk Technical College blackhawk.edu

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FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO MEDICAL SCHOOL Mauer Has Certification, Award

Natalia Mauer began attending Blackhawk Technical College when she was a Rock University High School (RUHS) student. She completed her Associate of Science degree through Blackhawk in December 2025 and participated in Blackhawk’s commencement event in May prior to her high school graduation in June.

Her hard work got noticed. Mauer was honored this spring with the YWCA Young Woman of Distinction Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations who have improved

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women’s lives through community service, professional achievement, integrity, leadership and dedication to the well-being of others.

As a future medical professional, she chose Blackhawk’s Associate of Science program because it will transfer to University of Wisconsin-Madison, and she will start there this fall.

“I am interested in pre-med, with a major in biology,” she explained.

“After that, I will go to medical school. I am most interested in OB-GYN and general surgery.

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I got to witness a lot of both of these fields in my internship, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Getting her certified nursing assistant, or CNA, license was one of her main goals for high school, she said. She wanted to get involved in and exposed to the medical field.

“I took a CNA class at Blackhawk and earned my certification in May 2025. I started working at a nursing home in August after my internship,” Mauer said. “During my internship, I was able to observe surgeries, childbirth, and a women’s health clinic. I learned so much about the operating room and made many connections.

Blackhawk was able to get me working in the field, and it was an amazing opportunity to watch surgery.”

CHEF MARK OLSON

Hangs Up His Apron

After 33 years of cooking up education at Blackhawk Technical College, Program Coordinator/Faculty Lead for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Mark Olson retired in May. Olson began his career at Blackhawk in August 1993. He served 11 years as an adjunct instructor and 22 years as a full-time instructor.

For the last six years, he was the faculty lead for the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs.

Olson always maintained his focus on students and innovation. He taught every class the Culinary Arts program ever offered—even some that no longer exist. Under Olson’s leadership, the Culinary Arts program became the first in Wisconsin to earn national accreditation through the American Culinary Federation. The program has retained its status through three cycles so far.

In retirement, Olson plans to do some renovations on his retirement home and travel. He will spend more time hunting and curling as well as devoting more time to his kids and grandkids.

Blackhawk thanks Chef Mark for his impact on the College and our community—the breadth of delicious food in our region can be attributed in great part to his gentle guidance and teaching.

Blackhawk offers a variety of transfer opportunities.

Read about what the University Center offers on page 12.

Chef Mark Olson (at center) said he has enjoyed the students, fellow faculty members, and “the satisfaction of educating so many future chefs.”

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e s i t r e p x E BLACKHAWK a i n r o f i l Ca G N I N I A R T

takes

— TO —

Blackhawk Technical College’s Workforce and Community Development team is known for hosting professional development, technical skills training, and other fully customizable learning experiences for residents of Rock and Green counties. But a new partnership with Tigre USA, based in Janesville, took Blackhawk’s training on the road to Southern California.

Kara Blue, Blackhawk’s Operations Manager for Workforce and Community Development, explained that Tigre was seeking a comprehensive leadership training package for

new and experienced leaders. Blackhawk’s Workforce and Community Development team customized a noncredit training package to cover these specific skills on a weekly training schedule.

“I met with Janesville Tigre employees for six weeks for this leadership series,” Office Technology Instructor Tina Aldrich said.

Positive feedback prompted Tigre to request similar training for another group at its facility in Beaumont, California.

“We wanted training that actually fit a manufacturing environment and wasn’t generic. Blackhawk was

At the end of the two-day training, participants (shown above) left with summary goals, new internal meetings, and contacts to help them achieve their goals. Tina Aldrich (shown at right) led the training.

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BLACKHAWK MAGAZINE open to customizing the training to what we really needed on the floor,” explained Karen Avelar, who works in Tigre’s human resources department.

Aldrich traveled to Beaumont for in-person delivery of a faster-paced leadership training session, turning a six-week training program into a two-day experience.

“I was able to focus on the needs and feedback from the Tigre Janesville location to compress the topics into meaningful, active sessions,” Aldrich said.

Aldrich has been teaching continuing education and corporate training courses for Blackhawk for 29 years. She facilitates training sessions at companies in Rock and Green counties.

And while she has led online training sessions and training classes for local employers who had employees from other locations fly in, this is the first time she has traveled out of state to train workers.

“With the success of this out-of-state training, I think this is something Blackhawk’s Workforce and Community Development team can now offer as an option to local companies with other locations,” Aldrich said.

Building More Than a Machine In May, students from Blackhawk’s Troubleshooting Integrated Manufacturing Systems II course presented their capstone project to a room of instructors, students and employers: the construction of a durable, metal hydraulic testing cart designed and built for local workforce manufacturing partner, Tigre USA. After meeting with Tigre staff to understand the scope of needs, a team of six students designed, fabricated, wired and programmed a safe, functional testing cart.

For Ryan Erickson, a graduate of Blackhawk’s Automation Systems Technology program, seeing the project come to life was a rewarding moment.

“The day I put the isolation relay in after a little troubleshooting and watched the cores move under control made me feel proud of not only myself, but everyone that was part of this project.”

The capstone gave students the opportunity to apply the technical skills they had developed throughout the program while gaining valuable experience working through a real-world manufacturing project from concept to completion.

“I got to experience the design phase of a project, something I wouldn’t have had much experience in otherwise,” Blackhawk Automation Systems Technology graduate Domnick Ellis said.

The experience also highlighted the importance of teamwork.

Each student brought different strengths to the project, relying on one another to solve problems and learn new skills along the way.

After returning to school to change careers in his late 30s, Erickson reflected on the people who helped make the experience successful, thanking his instructors, family, friends and fellow capstone teammates.

“You guys killed it.” blackhawk.edu

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DUAL-CREDIT COURSES

at Blackhawk

Aiming to Give High School Students an Edge for College or Career Blackhawk Technical College partners with more than 20 public high schools across Rock County, Green County and beyond to encourage high school students to take classes that count for both high school and college credit. These dual-credit courses can give students a leg up when considering college or a career.

Alissa Grenawalt, early college specialist at Blackhawk, said, “There are so many benefits to taking advantage of dual enrollment in high schools, as it saves students and their families time and money while allowing students to be job-ready sooner.”

Christopher Maedke, the School District of Janesville’s college, career and technical education coordinator, said, “Dual-credit courses give students a major head start.

They build the confidence to know they belong in higher education, save significantly on future tuition, and graduate with a transcript that proves they are career-ready from day one."

Blackhawk offers five types of dual-enrollment programs: 1. TRANSCRIPTED CREDIT: A high school teacher teaches a Blackhawk course. With nearly 800 students in 2024, this is Blackhawk’s most popular option.

2. ADVANCED STANDING: A high school teacher teaches a class that aligns with Blackhawk’s course. In 2024, this option included more than 180 courses.

3. START COLLEGE NOW: A Blackhawk instructor teaches on a Blackhawk campus. More than 120 area high school students chose this option in 2024.

4. COLLEGIATE ACADEMY: A Blackhawk instructor teaches virtually through the MyEdChoice option, which allows in-person or virtual participation or online recordings.

5. CONTRACTS: High school students take a course at their high school or at Blackhawk. In 2024, 14 contract courses offered dual credit to more than 120 students.

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Popularity is growing Blackhawk’s enrollment numbers show students younger than 18 taking Blackhawk classes increased 52% from fall 2024 to fall 2025. And of high school students who directly enrolled at Blackhawk in fall 2025 or spring 2026 (as of December 2025), 35% had taken one or more types of dual-enrollment courses.

Maedke said when it comes to transcripted credit and advanced standing courses, “We generally have more than 1,100 students participating each year.

I think transcripted credit courses are gaining in popularity.”

Among students at Rock University High School, all juniors and seniors are enrolled in some type of dual-credit course, according to Principal Patricia Hernandez, Ed.D. “Dual-enrollment courses are valuable to high school students because they save a significant amount of money,” Hernandez explained. This is because the school district pays the tuition cost for its students.

At South Beloit High School, Emily Roer, college and career director, said, “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We often have graduates return to share their experiences, and many highlight how beneficial it was to enter college as sophomores due to the credits they earned in high school.”

What students say Dawson Van Fleet, who graduated in June from The Lincoln Academy, said, “I chose to enroll in Blackhawk Technical College to challenge myself and get a head start on my future.” He is studying computer numeric control (CNC) and will continue courses at Blackhawk.

DISCOVER LIFELONG LEARNING

Unlock new skills, enrich your life or advance your career with our wide range of courses.

PERSONAL ENRICHMENT COURSES: • Arts & Crafts Workshops • Culinary Classes • Fitness & Wellness Programs

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CLASSES:

“CNC gives me opportunities to do more than just one thing—I also get to explore welding and other related skills, which makes the experience more diverse and useful for my future,” Van Fleet said.

• Leadership Training • Technology & Software Skills • Business & Management Courses

Kenslee Shoemaker, who graduated from Evansville High School in June, is interested in nursing.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS:

“I decided to enroll in Blackhawk’s Start College Now program because I wanted to get a head start on my prerequisite courses, and it’s been a great experience,” Shoemaker said. “I recently finished my CNA course here at Blackhawk, and it was the best decision I’ve made.”

• Healthcare & Medical Programs • Trade & Technical Skills

Blackhawk has offered dual-credit courses for high school students since the early 2000s.

To find out more, visit blackhawk.edu/StartCollegeNow. Questions can be directed to Alissa Grenawalt at agrenawalt4@blackhawk.edu or 608-757-6983.

Enroll today!

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Scot Forge Invests $100,000 in the Future of Manufacturing at Blackhawk Scot Forge, a company known for its support of trades as much as the forging work it does, is giving a $100,000 gift to the Fund for the Future of Manufacturing over the next five years. The fund, managed by the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation, ensures the College can continue to equip students with modern, industrystandard skills while remaining nimble and responsive to their needs. It funds scholarships, equipment purchases and special events to promote manufacturing.

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“Scot Forge is a premier partner of Blackhawk that understands how achieving workforce goals means leveraging every tool in

Blackhawk’s workforce and community development manager, said. “Their partnership includes youth talent development

Scot Forge is a premier partner of Blackhawk that understands how achieving workforce goals means leveraging every tool in the toolbox—and recognizing Blackhawk as a key resource in that success. —Colleen Koerth

the toolbox—and recognizing Blackhawk as a key resource in that success,” Colleen Koerth,

programs, strategic recruitment and training initiatives. Their doors are always open in support of

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the College. The gift to the Fund for the Future of Manufacturing further highlights Scot Forge’s commitment to Blackhawk of being ‘Stronger Together.’”

In recognition, Scot Forge receives naming rights for an area in Blackhawk’s Innovative Manufacturing Education Center, or IMEC, building on its BeloitJanesville Campus.

“Scot Forge is proud to partner with Blackhawk Technical College because of the meaningful impact they make in developing a skilled workforce and strengthening our community,” Kelly Crosby, HR business partner at Scot Forge, said. “Their focus on handson education and workforce development has made them a strong partner, and we’ve had a great experience working together to support the next generation of skilled workers. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to education, opportunity and longterm growth. We’ve seen firsthand how Blackhawk empowers students with the tools they need to succeed, and we’re honored to support that mission.”

“It’s exciting to see the Scot Forge sign in the IMEC—not because of the sign itself, but for what it stands for,” Executive Director of Advancement and Foundation Cassie Hartje said.

“It is a daily reminder of their commitment to supporting growth in manufacturing, innovation and pipeline efforts, and Blackhawk is grateful and honored to partner with Scot Forge on this important work.”

Golden Brick Award Winners Honored Blackhawk Technical College held its Fifth Annual Golden Brick Awards on June 9 to honor community members, industry partners, alumni, faculty and staff who lead Blackhawk’s students and our community to victory after victory. Each winner is an icon who supports student success and helps our community thrive.

The Golden Brick Award trophies were designed and crafted by Blackhawk’s CNC students and members of the Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology and Transportation Division.

The MVPs who received a Golden Brick Award were: • COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD: Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation • PHILANTHROPIC AWARD: Scot Forge • K-12 PARTNER OF THE YEAR: Brodhead High School • DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR: Joshua Pickering’10, chef and managing partner of Genisa Wine Bar and Jack & Jenny’s restaurants • FACULTY MEMBER OF THE YEAR: Mitch Ziolkowski, Criminal Justice Instructor • STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR: Elisa Colson, Student Engagement Specialist

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University Center

Takes Students Beyond Blackhawk

“ARO was really my first introduction to the UC, and that’s when I got the chance to walk around, explore and ask a few questions,” Mendoza said. “After that, whenever I was on campus, I’d check out the UC more on my own.”

Dantuma helps students examine their options or review the many articulation or transfer agreements Blackhawk has with other colleges and universities. Many come to the UC for advice on the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science programs, she said. Students can stop in anytime, but Dantuma said she encourages students to visit early in their journey if they plan to transfer.

Suzy Dantuma is Blackhawk's transfer coordinator.

Anyone who has attended classes at Blackhawk Technical College’s Beloit-Janesville Campus has probably walked by the University Center. But not everyone is aware of all the services available inside.

Plan your path The UC offers in-person academic advising services students can use to discuss degree requirements, course selection, academic planning or just to track their progress. In the UC, students can also find details about programs, majors, courses and other academic opportunities.

“The University Center is the hub for students to gain insight and resources on continuing their education after Blackhawk,” Suzy Dantuma, transfer coordinator, said.

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The UC can provide guidance on credit transfers and course equivalencies to help students pursuing a bachelor’s degree navigate the transfer process between colleges. By centralizing multiple university offerings in one location, it is ideal for those who prefer to stay within the local community while pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Cris Mendoza, a Medical Assistant graduate pursuing a BSN, first heard about the UC as a new student during the Advising, Registration and Onboarding, or ARO, process.

“Having conversations with your advisor at your next institution while you are at Blackhawk is going to set you up best,” she said. “Whenever possible, we try to do parallel advising—meaning we want students to get advice from both institutions at the same time to get the most out of their experience here.”

Liz Dean, a first-year student in the Substance Use Disorder Counselor program, shared how she first stopped in the UC to talk with Dantuma about transferring credits from another university.

Later, she returned to the UC to seek career guidance and advice on where to go to pursue her bachelor’s degree after graduating from Blackhawk.

“I remember when I first met Suzy. She was very warm and approachable, gave helpful guidance and she made great conversation in general. It is

BLACKHAWK MAGAZINE easy to walk into the Center and feel welcomed and comfortable from the start,” Dean said.

Mendoza graduated from the Medical Assistant program in May. She hopes to obtain a position that will help her build clinical experience. She is on the waiting list for Blackhawk’s Nursing program and is looking forward to completing her CNA requirements in the fall.

Dean is looking to graduate in spring 2028 and will then pursue a four-year degree in law and/or social work.

Path to partners With four Tier One partner colleges— Beloit College, Concordia University Wisconsin, Lakeland University and University of WisconsinWhitewater at Rock County—going on to complete a bachelor’s degree is easier than ever before.

Representatives from each partner college have office hours in the UC to assist students who are looking to continue their education after graduating from Blackhawk.

“We have 22 transfer agreements with our Tier One University

Center partners and are working to create more,” Dantuma said.

“Each of these agreements is with our applied associate degrees, which is in addition to the specific university transfer degrees.

Overall, we have about 60 transfer agreements with a variety of institutions for our programs.”

For those thinking about their next step, the University Center is a place where those plans can begin to take shape.

For more information on the UC, visit blackhawk.edu/transfer

ON THE RIGHT TRACK — Zac's Internship Story —

Networking; creating campus events; sourcing, designing and ordering promotional materials; capturing the Blackhawk Talons with new-found photography skills; researching and pitching ideas … these are just a few of the opportunities Zachary Shaver experienced as an intern in Blackhawk Technical College’s Marketing and Communications Department in spring 2026.

Originally from Rockford, Illinois, Shaver moved to Janesville when he was 15 and graduated from Parker High School. At Blackhawk, he is enrolled in the Business Management program.

“I was drawn to this area because of the large array of topics the program covers. The wide view of business has allowed me to pick what I want to focus on in the future,” Shaver said.

Blackhawk’s Mar/Comm team noticed the quality of Shaver’s work right out of the gate.

“Within a few days, Zac’s classroom learning paired

with his innate marketing talent.

Honestly, I couldn’t believe how quickly Zac settled into the role— he is going to be an excellent addition to a marketing team in our community,” said Cassie Hartje, Executive Director of Advancement and Foundation.

In addition to a full-time course load and his internship, Shaver also works full-time.

“Although a challenge at times, the internship also allowed me to enhance skills like time management,” he said. “Blackhawk helps prepare you for the real world with hands-on learning and different job opportunities both at the school and in the community.

My advice for anyone considering Blackhawk is to do it!”

Shaver plans to graduate in the fall of 2026. “After Blackhawk, I intend on getting my bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of WisconsinWhitewater.”

And after that, maybe he’ll get a chance to knock that visit to Sweden off his bucket list. blackhawk.edu

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If you could, would you help a stranger change their life?

SCHOLARSHIPS HELP MAKE Dreams Into Careers

Thankfully, more than 70 generous donors to the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation can answer with a resounding “Yes!” With scholarship dollars in-hand, hundreds of students each year can say someone believed in them

enough to support meaningful change. Here are just two of their stories.

SETTING AN EXAMPLE Gigi Partee-Jarrett is setting an example for her daughter to prove that dreams can be achieved. She is a first-

generation college student who grew up in foster care, came from a one-parent household with seven children and faced many obstacles.

She’s out to prove that if you keep pushing, persevering and never stopping, regardless of your age, you will succeed.

The Janesville native attended Blackhawk classes while in high school and earned her certified

Joshua Pickering Named Blackhawk’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Joshua Pickering is the recipient of Blackhawk Technical College’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes a graduate who exemplifies the value of a technical college education through leadership, creativity, community involvement, professional commitment, and a reflection of the broader community.

Pickering graduated from Blackhawk Technical College’s Culinary Arts program in 2010 and has since built his career in the restaurant industry. His journey has taken him through Madison, Lake Geneva and Chicago, including time at the Michelinstarred Spiaggia where, as a cook, he helped cater the prestigious James Beard 14

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BLACKHAWK MAGAZINE nursing assistant certificate. That experience stuck with her and made attending Blackhawk now, at age 37, an easy choice.

“I enjoyed the learning environment, so when I decided to go back and further my education in nursing, I knew where I planned on attending,” Partee-Jarrett said.

Partee-Jarrett is in Blackhawk's Nursing program and works as a licensed practical nurse in Janesville. Her hard work is paying off as graduation is getting closer.

“I plan on graduating in fall 2026 or spring 2027 if I stay parttime,” Partee-Jarrett said. “I am investigating the bridge program that Blackhawk offers for my BSN. So, I plan on still being a part of the Blackhawk team.”

She is one of four recipients of the Mercyhealth–Making Lives Better– Scholarship, which covers her full tuition, books and fees.

“This scholarship helped me tremendously. I feel as if this gave

me the opportunity to be a full-time mother, student and employee all in one, without the financial burden of being the sole provider for my daughter,” Partee-Jarrett said.

Mercyhealth established the program to provide full-ride scholarships for four Blackhawk students each year who are enrolled in certain healthcare-related programs.

DREAMING OF ULTRASOUND Journey Kor, a 20-yearold from Evansville, got married in March 2025. She is a certified nursing assistant who cares for her greatgrandmother. She is also a student in Blackhawk’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Vascular Technology program, where she is learning how to use ultrasound tools.

“I wanted to continue my career in healthcare and was drawn to ultrasound after seeing how echocardiograms helped my mom when I was growing up.

It showed me how meaningful this field can be,” Kor said.

“Scholarship funds have meant so much to me and have truly helped make school possible! They have helped cover expenses, eased a lot of financial stress, and allowed me to focus more on learning instead of worrying so much about costs,” she shared.

After graduation, Kor plans to look for work as a sonographer. Once employed, she wants to buy a home and hopefully start a family.

“But most importantly, as life goes on, my biggest goal is to do the most I can to help those in need,” she said.

For more information on scholarships, see blackhawk.edu/scholarships

Awards. Now back in his hometown of Janesville, Pickering is the chef and managing partner of Genisa Wine Bar and Jack & Jenny’s restaurants.

Pickering is active with Forward Janesville and the Downtown Business Association. Both restaurants hold numerous charitable/ fundraising events throughout the year for a variety of local organizations. He also serves on Blackhawk’s Culinary and Hospitality Management advisory committees. Outside of the restaurants, he enjoys running marathons and triathlons as well as rooting for the Cubs with his wife, Amanda, and four small children.

Joshua Pickering is shown at right receiving his Golden Brick Award from Cassie Hartje, Blackhawk's Executive Director of Advancement and Foundation.

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Blackhawk’s JV Talons Roster for the WCC Championship: CADEN BARTHEL Freshman • Davis, Illinois TROY CORBIN II Freshman • Brown Summit, North Carolina KHALIL GORDON Freshman • Milwaukee, Wisconsin CODY JACOB Freshman • Delavan, Wisconsin ELIJAH JENKINS Sophomore • Beloit, Wisconsin ALIJAH POE Freshman • Milwaukee, Wisconsin ANTONIO STRADER Freshman • Indianapolis, Indiana DAYSHAWN STRADER Freshman • Indianapolis, Indiana 16

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Talons JV Men’s Basketball Team Wins WCC Championship Blackhawk Technical College’s Junior Varsity Men’s Basketball team won the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference Championship on Feb. 13 at the Justagame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells. With a record of eight wins and five losses in the regular season, the Talons earned a third-place playoff seed—and didn’t waste it.

“All season long, adversity kept knocking, and every single time our guys stood up and pushed forward,” AJ Wilson, head coach of the Talons JV squad, said. “I’m proud of the way we responded when things got hard. That’s what champions do.”

Blackhawk Head Men’s Basketball Coach Nile Finney said, “What this team accomplished goes beyond the trophy. They showed what it means to stay united when circumstances tried to pull them apart. Their resilience, their commitment, and their belief in each other represent our institution as it should be. I couldn’t be prouder of our student-athletes and the coaches who guided them.”

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Fall ‘26 Brings More Competition, New Sports The Blackhawk Talons will become even more fierce with new teams and new talent taking flight. Wrestling and crosscountry teams for men and women, along with women’s golf, will debut this fall. These additions will complement the sports already offered, including co-ed clay target shooting, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, men’s golf and a club team in co-ed bowling.

FIRST TALONS GOLF OUTING BRINGS A GREAT CROWD +$15K the Fu for n the Fu d for ture Athlet of ics

“These new programs reflect our commitment to creating more opportunities for student-athletes, strengthening school pride, and building a vibrant athletic culture that represents the energy and talent of our region,” Nile Finney, Blackhawk's head men’s basketball coach, said.

CIPOLLONE

HERNANDEZ

Wrestling will participate in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA). During its first year, the program will compete exclusively at the NCWA club level, with plans to transition to full participation in the NJCAA beginning in fall 2027. Cross country and women’s golf will begin NJCAA competition immediately this fall.

Wrestling coach Tony Cipollone and cross country coach Brenda Hernandez are already recruiting.

The current men’s golf coach, Nick Hagen, will coach the new women’s golf team as well. If you are interested in joining Talons athletics, email athletics@blackhawk.edu.

Cipollone was hired in July as Blackhawk's new athletic director to lead the Talons beginning in fall 2026. Congratulations, Tony!

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INTERESTED IN JOINING THE NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION? Contact the Blackhawk Foundation at btcfoundation@blackhawk.edu 18

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COMMENCEMENT

2026

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION? Contact the Blackhawk Foundation at btcfoundation@blackhawk.edu

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SUCCESS Across Campuses BLACKHAWK MAGAZINE

From classrooms to competitions, Blackhawk students and programs continue to excel Agriculture Students Win at National PAS Conference In March, Blackhawk Technical College’s Professional Agriculture Students, or PAS, attended the National PAS Competitive Events Conference in Branson, Missouri.

Eight students, who had previously qualified at the state-level conference, participated.

The students competed in several contest areas against other

agriculture students from across the nation. They also heard a keynote speaker, networked with peers and industry professionals, attended a job fair and toured a variety of local businesses and attractions.

Agriculture Instructor and PAS Advisor Dusty Williams said, "Blackhawk's Ag students are some of the best around, and they have proven themselves by performing very well at the state and national PAS conferences."

Blackhawk Technical College's Professional Agriculture Students

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BPA Students Bring Home State and National Honors Blackhawk Technical College’s chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA) attended the BPA State Leadership Conference in February at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. A dozen students went, and all returned successful after competing in the annual state competitions.

BPA students and advisors then traveled to Nashville in May for the BPA National Leadership Conference. The conference brought together BPA members from around the world to learn, compete and connect. In addition to four students taking home top 3 wins and another four students placing in the top 10, students had the chance to explore pathways and gain insights from professionals who are shaping today’s workforce.

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Dream Chasers Summit Encourages Minority Students to Dream Big In April, high school and college students of color met at Blackhawk Technical College’s Beloit-Janesville Campus for the Dream Chasers Summit. Held in partnership with Blackhawk’s Minority Excellence Organization, the event offered an opportunity for attendees to be inspired and motivated and to explore the importance of education, networking, setting goals and chasing their dreams.

The event featured leadership workshops and keynote speaker Kwabena Antoine Nixon, a Milwaukee author, speaker, spoken word artist and educator.

His presentation focused on achieving dreams.

“The biggest hater is the streets. The biggest vampire is the streets. It sucks out your dreams,” Nixon said. “I don’t want to talk about your hoodie.

I don’t want to talk about your look. I want to talk about your heart and your mind. That’s where your dreams come from,” he said.

EPD Students Tested Their Skills at State Rodeo This year’s Wisconsin Technical College System Electric Power Distribution (EPD) Rodeo brought together 63 students from Blackhawk Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College, Northcentral Technical College and Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Held in April at Moraine Park’s campus in Beaver Dam, participants competed in the Bell Run, Fill and Carry, Weighted Handline, Egg Climb, Obstacle Climb, Fuse Change and Brace and Bit events.

“All the students competed very well this year,” EPD Instructor Tony Haffelder said. “It was a great opportunity for them to interact with other students and professionals from the utility industry.”

Nursing Assistant Program Earns State Recertification Blackhawk Technical College’s Nursing Assistant program must be recertified every two years. The recertification process requires a site visit from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Bureau of Quality Assurance. In November 2025, a state CNA site visit took place.

“The site visitor was impressed with our facilities,” Blackhawk CNA and Nursing Program Chair Traci Newcomer said.

The 90-hour program includes classroom lectures, campus lab experiences and a clinical practicum. Classes are held at Blackhawk’s Beloit-Janesville Campus and its Monroe Campus.

Program graduates receive a technical diploma and are prepared to take the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Competency Exam (WNACE).

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OUR Degree & Diploma Programs

Blackhawk Technical College offers a variety of degree and diploma programs designed to help you build skills, gain experience, and reach your goals. Explore your options and find the path that’s right for you.

UNIVERSITY TRANSFER Associate of Arts Associate of Science

FINANCIAL SERVICES Accounting Assistant ▲ Accounting

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology (HVAC/R) Automation Systems Technology CNC Machine Operator/ Programmer Computer Numeric Control Tech.

Electro-Mechanical Technology Entry Maintenance Technician Flux Cored Arc Welding Gas Metal Arc Welding Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Manufacturing Engineering Tech.

Quality Food Production Residential HVAC Shielded Metal Arc Welding Technical Studies Journeyworker Welding Welding Fabrication & Robotics

HEALTHCARE & HUMAN SERVICES Behavior Technician Dental Assistant Dental Hygienist Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Vascular Technology Funeral Service Health Information Management ▲ Human Services Associate Medical Assistant Medical Coder Medical Laboratory Specialist Medical Laboratory Technician ▲ Nursing Nursing Assistant Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Patient Services Specialist Phlebotomy Technician ▲ Physical Therapist Assistant Radiography Respiratory Therapy Sterile Processing Technician Substance Abuse Education Substance Use Disorder Counselor Surgical Technology

AGRICULTURE Agribusiness Specialist Agribusiness Science & Tech.

Farm Business & Production Management Laboratory Food Science Tech.

Laboratory Science Tech.

Assistant CONSTRUCTION Electric Power Distribution DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IT – Helpdesk Support Specialist ▲ IT - Technical Support Specialist ▲ Web Software Developer EDUCATION Child Care Services Early Childhood Education ▲ Foundations of Teacher Education 22

Summer/Fall 2026

HOSPITALITY, EVENTS & TOURISM Culinary Arts Culinary Production Line Cook Hospitality Management INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL STUDIES ITS: Advanced Manufacturing ITS: Agriculture ITS: Hospitality and Events ITS: Human Services ITS: Supply Chain and Transportation

MANAGEMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP Administrative Professional Administrative Support Professional ▲ Business Management Business Management Specialist Human Resources Individualized Technical Studies ▲ Leadership Development Office Management MARKETING & SALES ▲ Digital Marketing PUBLIC SERVICE & SAFETY ▲ Criminal Justice Studies Emergency Medical Technician EMT Advanced Fire Protection Technician Law Enforcement Basic Jail Academy Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy Paramedic Paramedic Technician SUPPLY CHAIN & TRANSPORTATION Automotive Technician Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician Diesel Medium & Heavy Truck Technician Supply Chain Assistant ▲ Supply Chain Management

KEY ▲ University Center Partner Pathway

For more information about our university transfer pathways, visit blackhawk.edu/universitycenter

BLACKHAWK | Flexible Education. Supportive Environment.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS | 2026-27

AUGUST 24

| First Day of Classes

SEPTEMBER 15

| Scholars + Donors Breakfast

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| Part-Time Job & Internship Fair

24

| Fall Festival

See Blackhawk for Yourself

OCTOBER 6

| Autumn Harvest Dinner

8

| K-12 Partners Breakfast

11

| Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra

13

| Manufacturing Day

— PREVIEW DAY — Saturday, Nov. 7 To reserve your spot visit blackhawk.edu/events

| Spring 2027 Registration Opens for New Students 21

DECEMBER 5

| Winter Carnival

17

| Commencement

20 | Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra

JANUARY 19

| First Day of Classes

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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Janesville, WI PERMIT NO. 402

6004 S County Road G Janesville, WI 53546

DISCOVER BLACKHAWK Chart Your Own Path Hands-on learning.

Real-world skills.

Local support.

At Blackhawk, we empower students to learn by doing. Whether you’re looking to launch a career, earn a certificate, or transfer to a four-year school, Blackhawk offers affordable, high-quality programs designed for your goals — and your life.

Learn more at: blackhawk.edu