May 2025 Commencement Program

~ 2025 ~ Commencement

SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

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Welcome

Avery Bohm, WTCS State Ambassador 2025-2026

National Anthem

Cheyenne Spade, Business Management, 2025 Graduate

President's Welcome Dr. Tracy Pierner, President

Student Speaker

Rebecca Barnett, WTCS State Ambassador 2024-2025 Substance Use Disorder Counseling/Human Services, 2025 Graduate

Faculty Speaker (9 a.m.)

Melissa Dix, IT Web Software Developer Instructor

Distinguished Alumni Speaker

Brandon Giles, Medical Laboratory Technician, 2013 Graduate Beloit Health System Director of Laboratory, Pulmonary, Sleep and EEG

Presentation of the Class of 2025

Dr. Karen Schmitt, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Conferring Degrees Dr. Tracy Pierner, President

Closing

Dr. Tracy Pierner, President

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A Special Welcome On behalf of the Blackhawk Technical College District Board and the entire College community, I am honored to welcome you to the May 2025 Commencement Ceremony.

Today we celebrate an important milestone. It’s a day to recognize the hard work, determination and growth that brought each graduate to this moment. Each person’s journey is unique with many twists and turns, and trials and tribulations. Yet, their focus, strength, heart and grit elevated them to this ceremony today.

Commencement is a celebration of the end of the beginning. It marks the achievement of an objective and a transition to their next phase, which is filled with new possibilities and opportunities. While we reflect on the path that led here, our attention turns to the future and the impact each of today’s graduates will make.

To our graduates: Congratulations! The education and experiences you gained at Blackhawk have equipped you with the tools to pursue your goals, support your communities and continue learning throughout your lives. You are prepared for what lies ahead, and we believe in your ability to thrive.

We are proud of you and excited to see where your journey leads. Step into your next chapter with confidence and purpose. You are well prepared to be the engine of our community’s success, and that makes our community’s future bright indeed.

Dr. Tracy Pierner Blackhawk Technical College President

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

District Board

Eric A. Thornton, Chairperson Barbara J. Barrington-Tillman, Vice Chairperson Rich Deprez, Secretary Kathy Sukus, Treasurer MEMBERS: Rachel Andres Robert Hendrickson Suzann Holland Mark Holzman Dave Marshick

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Executive Council Members Dr. Tracy Pierner, President Dr. Karen Schmitt, Vice President of Academic Affairs Jim Nemeth, Vice President of Finance and Operations/CFO Dr. Katie Lange, Executive Director of Student Services Kathleen Broske, Executive Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development Dr. Jon Tysse, Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Liz Paulsen, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Julie Barreau, Assistant to the President and District Board

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Academic Leadership Team Greg Phillips, Dean of Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology and Transportation Moira Lafayette, Dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety Tiffany Garrison, Dean of General Education and Transfer Pathways Joel Schleusner, Administrative Chair - Business Department Jon Mladic, Director of Teaching and Learning Resources

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

Cheyenne Spade National Anthem Singer

Cheyenne Spade, who is graduating with a Business Management degree, has served as the President of the Multi-Cultural Alliance, the Vice President of Blackhawk’s Business Professionals of America chapter and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She has maintained a 3.9 GPA and has been a scholarship recipient throughout her time at Blackhawk.

When asked about her motivation, Cheyenne credits the support systems at Blackhawk, including the Student Success Center and CARE Center, for helping her balance academic success with personal growth. She is passionate about her education and plans to be an entrepreneur.

Cheyenne graduated from Parker High School in Janesville and chose Blackhawk for its affordability and flexible learning options. Beyond academics, she enjoys traveling and practicing mixed martial arts.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

Avery Bohm

WTCS State Ambassador

Avery Bohm is Blackhawk Technical College's new Student Ambassador for the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). As part of this leadership program, she represents Blackhawk at the state level, participates in events over the next year, and joins a network of ambassadors dedicated to advocacy for technical education.

Avery, a Beloit Memorial High School graduate and Business Management student at Blackhawk, is a student worker and peer advisor in the college’s Financial Aid Office, assisting students with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process and loan decisions. Outside of campus, she runs her own in-home custom bakery, crAVEable.

She wanted to attend college without accumulating much debt. Financial aid, scholarships and a work-study program at Blackhawk have made that possible.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

Rebecca Barnett Student Speaker

Rebecca Barnett, who is graduating with degrees in Substance Use Disorder Counseling and Human Services, has served as the Blackhawk Ambassador to the Wisconsin Technical College System and president of the Student Government Association. She also has served as the Student Representative to Blackhawk’s District Board, has worked as a Peer Advisor, and has been the treasurer of Blackhawk’s Multi-Cultural Alliance and Phi Theta Kappa chapters.

When asked about her drive to take on so much, Rebecca reflects on her mental health struggles that have altered her perspective. Every opportunity she encounters is a privilege, she said.

Rebecca graduated from Union County High School in Maynardville, Tennessee, and moved with her children to Wisconsin in 2021 to be closer to her father and stepmother. After her own graduation, Rebecca plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to pursue a degree in Community Engagement and Education. She hopes to one day work in higher education and work to advocate for special needs families and transgender youth.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

Melissa Dix

2025 Faculty of the Year Since 2019, Melissa Dix has led the Web Software Developer program at Blackhawk Technical College, bringing curiosity and collaboration to the classroom. She helps students become strong programmers who can also communicate their ideas clearly.

“Many people can write code,” she said. “But true impact comes from being able to communicate the ‘why’ behind the work.”

Melissa is passionate about making technology more inclusive and helping students build confidence.

“Technology can have a powerful impact when paired with creativity and good intention,” she said.

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021, completing a degree she began in 1993. Before joining Blackhawk, she worked in programming, marketing, and digital media roles at Beloit College.

Originally from Rockford, Illinois, she lives in Beloit with her husband and four children.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

Brandon Giles

Distinguished Alumni Award

Brandon Giles is the recipient of Blackhawk Technical College’s 2025 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.

Brandon earned an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technician from Blackhawk in 2013, then began his career at Beloit Health System as a Bench Technician. He was promoted to Laboratory Information System (LIS) Coordinator in 2015, and in 2022, he advanced to Director of Laboratory, Respiratory, Sleep, and EEG, overseeing the lab and three other departments. A lifelong Beloit resident, Brandon was born in the very hospital where he now works.

In 2018, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Weber State through an online program. Then in 2021, he completed a master’s degree program through George Washington University.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

ACCOUNTING Associate Degree

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE

Stephanie Bechtolt Katrina Carlyle* Vanessa Carrasco Anthony Cervantes* Alexa Ciano*

Helaina Baker Marisol Cobos* Natalia Gonzalo Caitlind Johnson* Montacia Jones* Jacob Kostinek*

Conrad Eby*

Ashley McDermott*

Callee Jenson

Liana Wong

Jennifer Kern* Samantha Lewey* Olivia Mikulski Amanda Nichols* Jackie Rose Nunez Kelly O' Neil* Briannah Schaefer Jennifer Strand* Amy Thomas Antonio Unzueta* Kaitlyn Wilhite*

AUTOMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Giovanni Aceves* Cordell Dixon* Dominic Graeme* Hatsady Xayasaeng* AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN Two-Year Technical Diploma Samuel Cartwright Anthony Fercano-Antonio Marcos Flores Barrera

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT One-Year Technical Diploma Amanda Conrad* ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL Technical Diploma

Daniel Isely Saul Minero Caiden Morris* Adam Niedermeier Jorden Showers Tyler Ward*

Israel Casique* AGRIBUSINESS/SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Abraham Clark* Erik Schultz ASSOCIATE OF ARTS Aisha Butler* Rosanna Hookstead-Montiel* Matthew Prus* Molly Schneider *Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Associate Degree

COMPUTER SERVICE TECHNICIAN Technical Diploma

Ross Bailey*

Matthew Busby

Brayden Engelkens

Tyler Laatsch

Collin Fowler*

Enrique Torres-Jurado

Emily Grant Jaydn Henneberry*

CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES Associate Degree

Maddison Hernandez

Chuck Adkins*

Callee Jenson

Rebecca Chidester*

Kyle Karich*

Nate Connolly*

Emily Kingslien

Tiyeesha Hagen

Samantha Lewey

Tyler Lambert

Leslie Mata-Boehme*

Jonathan Larson*

Samantha Melton

Gabriella Mireles*

Liliana Orozco*

Catelyn Nolan*

Lauren Redenius

Garrett Pandow

Janet Rosas

Serena Parmer*

Siobhan Rung*

Nichole Roberts*

Kelsey Seils*

Danae Shear*

Cheyenne Spade*

Natty Sosa*

Danielle Tyler

Alison Struebin

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Technical Diploma

Lillian Wallace* Nathanael Weber*

Liliana Orozco*

Marc Wintermute

Alayna Zimmerman

Liana Wong*

CHILD CARE SERVICES Technical Diploma

Aidan Wright

Yadira Barrales-Flores

CULINARY ARTS Associate Degree

Sheri Cherry

Aria Clark*

Ashley Mathys

Emma Isham

CNC TECHNICIAN Technical Diploma

Kassandra Kelam

Amy Beck*

Lillyanna Schmid

Aaron Martinez

Thaddeus Sieger+*

Matthew Wool

Gwendolyn VanDomelen*

Braedon Klemm

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

CULINARY PRODUCTION LINE COOK Technical Diploma Keziah Holden

CULINARY PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Technical Diploma Kenneth Baker* DENTAL ASSISTANT One-Year Technical Diploma Emma Beutin*

DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY AND VASCULAR TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Morgan Baker* Kaela Boldon* Alice Dimassis* Lucy Freiburger* Hailey Kind* Jennifer Mathews* Rachel Shepard*

Grace Brown*

Luke Walker*

Emma Cary* Natalia Castillo Perez* Rama Chennamaneni* Madeline Inman* Elizabeth McQuality Samantha Nabar* Allison Notbohm* Olivia Pohlmeier* Bobbi Prehn* Riley Robinson* Payton Teubert* Nanci Turrubiates* Kaelyn Whitehead*

Samantha Zweifel DIESEL & HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN Two-Year Technical Diploma Brooke Kilcullen Samuel Pasch* Joshua Seeger Jared Skildum* DIGITAL MARKETING Associate Degree Aden Carlson* Jenna Givens* Jalil Luckey

DENTAL HYGIENIST Associate Degree

Kaja Perisic*

Rachel Bailey

Jordan Trost*

Meghan Rule*

Abigail Bauer* Madelyn Byrne* Alexis Graber* Tess Nafzger* Julia Pyles* Kylie Redman* Stephanie Stettin* Stephanie Von Obstfelder*

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Associate Degree

ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree

Jessica Baertschi*

Gregory Bryant*

Jalin Brown*

Chaz Champion

Angela Cash*

Cordell Dixon*

Hailey Casique*

Riley Flory

Sheri Cherry*

Marcus Newble*

Cori Clark*

Jose Ortiz

Morgan Coyne*

David Sambrook*

Hanna Jones* Grace McIlheran

FIRE PROTECTION TECHNICIAN Associate Degree

Rocio Morales-Flores*

Alexander Cook*

Eliana Moreno

Mason Marowsky

Elizabeth Rasmussen*

Callie Sweeney

Samantha Sorenson Emma Sullivan* Brianna Weiss* Joycelyn Wynder ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION One-Year Technical Diploma Carter Diedrich* Evan Dominy*

FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHER EDUCATION Associate Degree Mason Ehret* Amy Hornaday* Wendy Pryce* HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT Associate Degree Tammy Peters

Andrew Fisk*

HUMAN RESOURCES Associate Degree

Kyle Gable* Kydreel Green*

Jessica Babcock*

Ryan Haffelder*

Elizabeth Dimmel*

Kory Jiskra* Colten Kieliszewski* Brayden King*

Kristina Letson* Reina Martinez Kyleigh Raupp*

Hayden Lutz* Andrew Pollock* Luke Runde*

Yolanda Robertson Kadi Witt*

Mitchel Stephens* Nicholas Stokstad* Scott Suddeth* Jackson Ticha* *Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

HUMAN SERVICES Associate Degree

IT - NETWORK SPECIALIST Associate Degree

Rebecca Barnett

Andrew Aslam

Debra Coleman*

Jerin Horter*

Brooke Guenther

Asa Pulley

Savannah Jensen* Hannah Mellem Adrian Miner CheyAnne Ramos* Joanne Wagenhoffer* HVAC/R Associate Degree Maximilian Ambrose* Nathaniel Bomgarden Andrew Del Monico* Corey Jackson*

LABORATORY FOOD SCIENCE TECHNICIAN Associate Degree Reeonna Baker* MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Cayden Wittrock* MECHATRONICS TECHNOLOGY APPRENTICE Associate Degree Christian Fera

Bryce Lynch Heyward Manigault*

MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST Associate Degree

Caleb Rudnitzki*

Angel Duval

Nathaniel Stevens*

Jennifer Schultz

Damion Stimpfl* Ryan Welte*

MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE CODER Associate Degree Annah Apitz*

Tyler Zwieg* INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL STUDIES Associate Degree

Charmane Best Marshal Brady Megan Cooper

Amber Basiks* INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICIAN APPRENTICESHIP

Sandra Groesbeck Karley Lukas* Rylee Richard

Justin Bartle INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE MECHANIC Two-Year Technical Diploma Paul Hanauska*

Emily Stedman Lisa Thornton Courtney Tillman* Amayah Wright*

Jonathan Kooyman* Anna Schult* Michael White* *Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

MEDICAL ASSISTANT One-Year Technical Diploma

NURSING Associate Degree

Makayla Brown

Charnetha Bell-Johnson*

Jerica Carr

Tia Burri*

Ashley Chisholm*

Kristi Davis*

Jayden Dimas*

Marissa Drost*

Chase Edwards*

Carmillia Duling

Kyley Evans*

Lisa Dykstra

Hailey Gabrielse

Jessica Erickson

Marbella Gomez*

Jaclyn Hayes*

Alju Howard

Danielle Hein*

Cloey Knight

Kristal Hying

Tara Lauer*

Naudiana Jenson*

Cheyenne Le Grand*

Erica King*

Katie Loerke*

Kristen Lee*

Kayla Malott*

Nicole Lehr*

Alizabeth Pfundheller*

Karen Nicholson*

Malinda Powell*

Natasha Olson*

Kaitlin Roby*

Megan Ottinger*

Alexia Salmeron*

Jon Powers*

Symantha Sill

Nichole Roberts*

Hailey Swalheim

Breanna Santiago*

Kari Tanker*

April Washecheck

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN Associate Degree Ahmed Abushaban*

Cassandra Weldy* PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT Associate Degree

Fae Egli*

Carlos Ansoleaga-Lopez

Ashley Larson

Courtney Appelbaum*

Crystal Majerus

Evan Beyer*

Mirta Suarez*

Nicholas Damman*

Chanda Weide*

Dory Huber* Harjoy Kaur* Tomara Mierow*

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2025

RADIOGRAPHY Associate Degree

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Associate Degree

Haley Arneson*

Dylan Bjugstad*

Tessa Bauman*

Adam Hauser

Maggie Becker*

Estrella Palomino

Alicia Brunton*

Rebecca Price

Ashley Camling* Alyssa Carmichael*

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree

Taylor Carnes*

Tiffany Fillner*

Dennis Dazey*

McKenzie Gray*

Kristin Gehrke*

Kayleigh Keele*

Adrianna Herrera*

Amber Parr*

Jacquelyn Lopez-Lavariega*

Abrianna Schoff

Mallory Miller*

Savanna Schwartzlow*

Sean O'donnell*

WEB SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Associate Degree

Tessa Papcke* Ezekiel Tishler*

Noel Bustillos

STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN Technical Diploma

Abygail Christianson* Brea Halda*

Lisa Buggs

Michael Hughes

Marcey Ratkowski*

Max Latka

SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION Technical Diploma

Jaxon Matthess Bekka Reffett*

Aundraya Gilley

Rene Sandoval*

Katelyn Kufahl

Syrus Worden*

Frank Segura

WELDING One-Year Technical Diploma

Megan Weber SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COUNSELOR Associate Degree

Ivan Acosta* Joel Berry

Rebecca Barnett

Fernando Calvo*

Brooke Guenther

Michael Champion

Ashley Holman

Hunter Condon

Johnnie O'Bel

Erin Doeseckle Tom Gilbert Simon Lange*

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Mission

We help you build your future with flexible education in a supportive environment.

Vision

Delivering innovative education to enrich our communities.

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Values

Responsive • Collaborative Empowering • Strategic Process-driven • Inclusive

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Core Abilities

THINK CRITICALLY

DEMONSTRATE ACCOUNTABILITY

EXHIBIT RESPECT FOR ALL

COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY

USE TECHNOLOGY SKILLFULLY

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

PERSONAL ENRICHMENT COURSES: • Art & Craft Workshops • Culinary Classes • Fitness & Wellness Programs PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CLASSES: • Leadership Training • Technology & Software Skills • Business & Management Courses CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: • Healthcare & Medical Programs • Trade & Technical Skills

Enroll today!

blackhawk.edu/lifelonglearning

Stay Connected blackhawk.edu

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Career Services CareerCenter@blackhawk.edu

Blackhawk Foundation/Alumni BTCFoundation@blackhawk.edu

Photos will be taken during this event and are subject to use in college marketing materials.

Commencement Program This Commencement Program lists the names of individuals who have applied for graduation on the presumption that all the requirements have been, or will be, met by the end of the semester. To be listed in this program, individuals were required to apply for graduation by the respective posted dates. Names listed in this program are subject to verification that all graduation requirements have been met.

Nondisclosure of Directory Information In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students who have chosen not to release directory information to public disclosure (which includes, but is not limited to, degrees conferred) will not appear in this program.

Blackhawk Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to manage inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer, 6004 S County Road G, P.O. Box 5009, Janesville, WI 53547-5009, (608) 757-7796 or (608) 757-7773, WI Relay: 711

Beloit-Janesville Campus 6004 S County Road G • Janesville, WI 53546