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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Commencement 2025
ACCOUNTING
Associate Degree
Stephanie Bechtolt
Katrina Carlyle*
Vanessa Carrasco
Anthony Cervantes*
Alexa Ciano*
Conrad Eby*
Callee Jenson
Jennifer Kern*
Samantha Lewey*
Olivia Mikulski
Amanda Nichols*
Jackie Rose Nunez
Kelly O' Neil*
Briannah Schaefer
Jennifer Strand*
Amy Thomas
Antonio Unzueta*
Kaitlyn Wilhite*
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
One-Year Technical Diploma
Amanda Conrad*
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
PROFESSIONAL
Technical Diploma
Israel Casique*
AGRIBUSINESS/SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
Associate Degree
Abraham Clark*
Erik Schultz
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Aisha Butler*
Rosanna Hookstead-Montiel*
Matthew Prus*
Molly Schneider
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE
Helaina Baker
Marisol Cobos*
Natalia Gonzalo
Caitlind Johnson*
Montacia Jones*
Jacob Kostinek*
Ashley McDermott*
Liana Wong
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
Daniel Isely
Saul Minero
Caiden Morris*
Adam Niedermeier
Jorden Showers
Tyler Ward*
Commencement 2025
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Associate Degree
Ross Bailey*
Brayden Engelkens
Collin Fowler*
Emily Grant
Jaydn Henneberry*
Maddison Hernandez
Callee Jenson
Kyle Karich*
Emily Kingslien
Samantha Lewey
Leslie Mata-Boehme*
Samantha Melton
Liliana Orozco*
Lauren Redenius
Janet Rosas
Siobhan Rung*
Kelsey Seils*
Cheyenne Spade*
Danielle Tyler
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Technical Diploma
Liliana Orozco*
Alayna Zimmerman
CHILD CARE SERVICES
Technical Diploma
Yadira Barrales-Flores
Sheri Cherry
Ashley Mathys
CNC TECHNICIAN
Technical Diploma
Amy Beck*
Aaron Martinez
Matthew Wool
COMPUTER SERVICE TECHNICIAN
Technical Diploma
Matthew Busby
Tyler Laatsch
Enrique Torres-Jurado
CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES
Associate Degree
Chuck Adkins*
Rebecca Chidester*
Nate Connolly*
Tiyeesha Hagen
Tyler Lambert
Jonathan Larson*
Gabriella Mireles*
Catelyn Nolan*
Garrett Pandow
Serena Parmer*
Nichole Roberts*
Danae Shear*
Natty Sosa*
Alison Struebin
Lillian Wallace*
Nathanael Weber*
Marc Wintermute
Liana Wong*
Aidan Wright
CULINARY ARTS
Associate Degree
Aria Clark*
Emma Isham
Kassandra Kelam
Braedon Klemm
Lillyanna Schmid
Thaddeus Sieger+*
Gwendolyn VanDomelen*
BLACKHAWK
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*
Grace Brown*
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*
DENTAL HYGIENIST
Associate Degree
Rachel Bailey
Abigail Bauer*
Madelyn Byrne*
Alexis Graber*
Tess Nafzger*
Julia Pyles*
Kylie Redman*
Stephanie Stettin*
Stephanie Von Obstfelder*
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY AND VASCULAR TECHNOLOGY
Associate Degree
Morgan Baker*
Kaela Boldon*
Alice Dimassis*
Lucy Freiburger*
Hailey Kind*
Jennifer Mathews*
Rachel Shepard*
Luke Walker*
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
Kaja Perisic*
Meghan Rule*
Jordan Trost*
BLACKHAWK
Commencement 2025
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Associate Degree
Jessica Baertschi*
Jalin Brown*
Angela Cash*
Hailey Casique*
Sheri Cherry*
Cori Clark*
Morgan Coyne*
Hanna Jones*
Grace McIlheran
Rocio Morales-Flores*
Eliana Moreno
Elizabeth Rasmussen*
Samantha Sorenson
Emma Sullivan*
Brianna Weiss*
Joycelyn Wynder
ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION
One-Year Technical Diploma
Carter Diedrich*
Evan Dominy*
Andrew Fisk*
Kyle Gable*
Kydreel Green*
Ryan Haffelder*
Kory Jiskra*
Colten Kieliszewski*
Brayden King*
Hayden Lutz*
Andrew Pollock*
Luke Runde*
Mitchel Stephens*
Nicholas Stokstad*
Scott Suddeth*
Jackson Ticha*
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY
Associate Degree
Gregory Bryant*
Chaz Champion
Cordell Dixon*
Riley Flory
Marcus Newble*
Jose Ortiz
David Sambrook*
FIRE PROTECTION TECHNICIAN
Associate Degree
Alexander Cook*
Mason Marowsky
Callie Sweeney
FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Associate Degree
Mason Ehret*
Amy Hornaday*
Wendy Pryce*
HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Associate Degree
Tammy Peters
HUMAN RESOURCES
Associate Degree
Jessica Babcock*
Elizabeth Dimmel*
Kristina Letson*
Reina Martinez
Kyleigh Raupp*
Yolanda Robertson
Kadi Witt*
Commencement 2025
HUMAN SERVICES
Associate Degree
Rebecca Barnett
Debra Coleman*
Brooke Guenther
Savannah Jensen*
Hannah Mellem
Adrian Miner
CheyAnne Ramos*
Joanne Wagenhoffer*
HVAC/R
Associate Degree
Maximilian Ambrose*
Nathaniel Bomgarden
Andrew Del Monico*
Corey Jackson*
Bryce Lynch
Heyward Manigault*
Caleb Rudnitzki*
Nathaniel Stevens*
Damion Stimpfl*
Ryan Welte*
Tyler Zwieg*
INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL STUDIES
Associate Degree
Amber Basiks*
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICIAN APPRENTICESHIP
Justin Bartle
INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE MECHANIC
Two-Year Technical Diploma
Paul Hanauska*
Jonathan Kooyman*
Anna Schult*
Michael White*
IT - NETWORK SPECIALIST
Associate Degree
Andrew Aslam
Jerin Horter*
Asa Pulley
LABORATORY FOOD SCIENCE
TECHNICIAN
Associate Degree
Reeonna Baker*
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Associate Degree
Cayden Wittrock*
MECHATRONICS TECHNOLOGY
APPRENTICE
Associate Degree
Christian Fera
MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST
Associate Degree
Angel Duval
Jennifer Schultz
MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE CODER
Associate Degree
Annah Apitz*
Charmane Best
Marshal Brady
Megan Cooper
Sandra Groesbeck
Karley Lukas*
Rylee Richard
Emily Stedman
Lisa Thornton
Courtney Tillman*
Amayah Wright*
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Commencement 2025
MEDICAL ASSISTANT
One-Year Technical Diploma
Makayla Brown
Jerica Carr
Ashley Chisholm*
Jayden Dimas*
Chase Edwards*
Kyley Evans*
Hailey Gabrielse
Marbella Gomez*
Alju Howard
Cloey Knight
Tara Lauer*
Cheyenne Le Grand*
Katie Loerke*
Kayla Malott*
Alizabeth Pfundheller*
Malinda Powell*
Kaitlin Roby*
Alexia Salmeron*
Symantha Sill
Hailey Swalheim
Kari Tanker*
MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Associate Degree
Ahmed Abushaban*
Fae Egli*
Ashley Larson
Crystal Majerus
Mirta Suarez*
Chanda Weide*
NURSING
Associate Degree
Charnetha Bell-Johnson*
Tia Burri*
Kristi Davis*
Marissa Drost*
Carmillia Duling
Lisa Dykstra
Jessica Erickson
Jaclyn Hayes*
Danielle Hein*
Kristal Hying
Naudiana Jenson*
Erica King*
Kristen Lee*
Nicole Lehr*
Karen Nicholson*
Natasha Olson*
Megan Ottinger*
Jon Powers*
Nichole Roberts*
Breanna Santiago*
April Washecheck
Cassandra Weldy*
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
Associate Degree
Carlos Ansoleaga-Lopez
Courtney Appelbaum*
Evan Beyer*
Nicholas Damman*
Dory Huber*
Harjoy Kaur*
Tomara Mierow*
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE Commencement 2025
RADIOGRAPHY
Associate Degree
Haley Arneson*
Tessa Bauman*
Maggie Becker*
Alicia Brunton*
Ashley Camling*
Alyssa Carmichael*
Taylor Carnes*
Dennis Dazey*
Kristin Gehrke*
Adrianna Herrera*
Jacquelyn Lopez-Lavariega*
Mallory Miller*
Sean O'donnell*
Tessa Papcke*
Ezekiel Tishler*
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
Technical Diploma
Lisa Buggs
Marcey Ratkowski*
SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION
Technical Diploma
Aundraya Gilley
Katelyn Kufahl
Frank Segura
Megan Weber
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COUNSELOR
Associate Degree
Rebecca Barnett
Brooke Guenther
Ashley Holman
Johnnie O'Bel
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Associate Degree
Dylan Bjugstad*
Adam Hauser
Estrella Palomino
Rebecca Price
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
Associate Degree
Tiffany Fillner*
McKenzie Gray*
Kayleigh Keele*
Amber Parr*
Abrianna Schoff
Savanna Schwartzlow*
WEB SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
Associate Degree
Noel Bustillos
Abygail Christianson*
Brea Halda*
Michael Hughes
Max Latka
Jaxon Matthess
Bekka Reffett*
Rene Sandoval*
Syrus Worden*
WELDING
One-Year Technical Diploma
Ivan Acosta*
Joel Berry
Fernando Calvo*
Michael Champion
Hunter Condon
Erin Doeseckle
Tom Gilbert
Simon Lange*
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.
Values
Responsive • Collaborative
Empowering • Strategic
Process-driven • Inclusive
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE Core Abilities
THINK CRITICALLY USE TECHNOLOGY SKILLFULLY
DEMONSTRATE ACCOUNTABILITY
EXHIBIT RESPECT FOR ALL COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY
Stay Connected
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
