Thinking back to last spring, when we made the difficult decision to move all operations online, none of us at the College imagined we would still be in a pandemic nine months later. From the beginning, the College has enforced safety protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19 so we can continue to live out our mission of offering a flexible education in a supportive environment. Our students, faculty, and staff have risen to the challenge. Blackhawk is here to provide a safe, accessible, hands-on (and virtual) education.
I am proud of our accomplishments this semester. Some of those include:
• Remaining open to serve our students and community
• No community spread of COVID-19 at any Blackhawk location
• Giving students the ability to choose how they attend class through MyEdChoice (in-person or online education)
• Transitioning many face-to-face services to virtual services
• Hosting free community-wide COVID-19 testing on our Central Campus
• Passing a $32 million referendum to enable the College to build the Public Safety + Transportation Center
As a College, we continue to press on through the pandemic. While some classes might look a little different, we are open and continue to train our community’s essential workers. We are in the workforce development business. To that end, we continue to be responsive to our community’s needs and available for students who want to continue their training and education to advance in their careers.
Students must have options to stay safe, stay connected, and stay on track. Here at BTC, we are ready to help you get connected and get ahead.
When it came time to choose a path for higher education, Kayla Meier realized that the best choice for her was close to home. As family, friends, and coworkers were encouraging her to check out local options, Blackhawk Technical College was advertising its new surgical technology program.
Kayla has always had an interest in the healthcare field and surgery and said,
“This program opened up at the right time, and it has been the perfect fit for me.”
Kayla’s instructors agree. “Kayla is an excellent student and a true mentor to her peers and incoming program students. You can see the drive in Kayla to become a quality surgical technologist,” said Jessica Donahue, BTC Surgical Technology instructor.
Surgical technologists prepare and sterilize instruments and surgical supplies, assist physicians during
surgical procedures, ensure necessary equipment is properly maintained and available when needed, handle surgical specimens, maintain a sterile atmosphere in the operating room environment, and complete necessary paperwork related to surgical procedures.
Being involved in a healthcare program during a global pandemic has been especially challenging. Like many students, Kayla has had to balance work,
school, clinicals, and keeping herself safe during a time of great uncertainty. “I have been fortunate enough to have excellent instructors within the program,” she said, “especially during this pandemic. Overall, I believe BTC handled it very well.”
One of the things that Kayla appreciates most about BTC is that students have the opportunity for extensive hands-on learning in a simulation lab that closely mirrors that of a hospital surgical suite.
Blackhawk also has “Surgical Chloe” which is a full-body female surgical simulator. She can be used with surgical instruments and reproduce surgical scenarios. She has a monitor that displays her vitals during surgery, and those vitals fluctuate depending on what is happening. This simulator can replicate minimal and invasive procedures while providing realtime feedback to students.
Kayla encourages students to, “Take all the opportunities that Blackhawk has to offer. It is a small school but has
many options. Do not be afraid to reach out to faculty or any of the advisors, as they are very willing to help you begin your education and guide you on your way to your dreams.”
Once finished with her BTC program, Kayla plans to pursue work in the growing field of surgical technology and is “excited to see where it will take me.” Needless to say, Kayla is likely to be wearing a face mask for many years to come.
When Amy DeGraw was interviewing for a job as a computer animator with Pixar Animation Studios, she didn’t think that she would find herself spearheading an academic program for a career field not even on her radar.
A glimpse into what her life would become in a world of impossible deadlines, forced creativity, and 18-hour days led her to step away from what she always thought was her dream career to pursue a different craft.
“I heard about an opening in a local sterile processing department,” Amy explained. “I knew what the job entailed because my dad was an operating room nurse. As soon as I walked into the department for my interview, I was hooked.”
Amy has now worked in central services/sterile processing for over 18 years. She started as a technician with zero experience and learned everything on the job. She worked her way up the career ladder to be a supervisor and is now a sterile processing educator for a local health care system. Currently, she is also the lead instructor for the new Central Service Technician (CST) technical diploma at BTC.
Central Service Technicians are the key persons responsible for maintaining the quality of medical products that are processed, packaged, and sterilized by a medical facility. These technicians clean, sterilize, and assemble surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for use in operating rooms and other medical and surgical facilities. In addition to working in a hospital setting, CSTs can work in surgical centers, dental clinics, vet clinics, take travel assignments, work for healthcare vendors and suppliers, or teach.
Students who enter the Blackhawk CST program can expect to gain essential skills and knowledge to get them started in any Central Service department. Amy’s goal is always “to teach the why behind what we do, not just the how.”
Amy currently holds certifications through the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) - Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) and Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) – and has spoken at the industry’s annual conference. Her passion for students and this lesser-known healthcare career continue to drive Amy’s desire to grow and help students do the same.
Registration is now open for the CST program. For more information about CST, visit blackhawk.edu.
“As soon as I walked into the department for my interview, I was hooked.” -Amy
“This program is the perfect fit for me. I’m excited to see where it will take me.”
-Kayla
In 2018, George S. Parker and the Parker Family Foundation created the Nancy B. Parker Nursing Scholars Program at Blackhawk Technical College. The Parker Foundation made an initial gift of $250,000 to establish the program with a commitment to donate an additional $250,000 based on a challenge match to the local community. In total, this is a $1,000,000 investment into students and the community.
The goal was to close out the giving campaign within five years. The BTC Foundation is proud to announce it closed the campaign and topped it off in just over two years with a very generous gift from the Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation, Inc.
In partnership with the Parker Family Foundation, Blackhawk Technical College Foundation launched the Nancy B. Parker Nursing Scholars Program in fall 2018, a scholarship to help retain skilled nurses in Rock and Green Counties. It is named for Nancy B. Parker and her lifelong contributions to, and involvement with, nursing activities, including her service to Mercy Hospital in Janesville, where she served on the Board of Trustees for many years.
The program targets high-achieving students admitted into the BTC nursing program. The goal is to improve nursing student recruitment and retention and to fill anticipated nursing shortages in Green and Rock Counties by retaining top talent in
our communities. First-year students can be eligible for a $1,000 maximum scholarship award with an opportunity for an additional $1,500 scholarship in year two.
• Hendricks Family Foundation
• Mercyhealth System
• Janesville Foundation
• JP Cullen Foundation
• Theodore W. Batterman Family
• Beloit Health System
• Geraldine Idzerda
• Monroe Clinic and Hospital
• Kennedy Family Foundation
• SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville
Foundation, Inc. Nancy B. Parker Nursing Scholars major donors: Left to right: Tim McKevett (President and CEO, Beloit Health System), Sharon Cox (Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Beloit Health System), and Tracy Pierner (President, Emily McAllister, Parker Scholars recipient, class of 2020.Three years ago, Josh Lichtfuss didn’t so much decide to start a new career as he was forced into one. After nearly ten years with his employer, he suffered a back injury. Two surgeries, several injections, and countless hours of physical therapy later, it became clear that he would not be able to return to his previous position.
“I knew the only way to get back to work was to get additional education,” Josh said.
After conducting significant research about where and what he wanted to study, acutely aware that it had been 18 years since he last set foot in a classroom, Josh chose to pursue a Business Management degree from Blackhawk Technical College.
Now that he’s solidly into the program, Josh can see how his business degree will open doors for him. A business degree isn’t just one thing. Instead, it trains students to join a management team, open and operate their own business, or act as a business analyst.
The business management program has moved Josh out of his comfort zone in a variety of ways. Managers work with and coordinate teams, which means that many business classes require significant group work. To help him increase his confidence and comfort with some of these projects, Josh joined the Blackhawk chapter of the Business Professionals of America (BPA). He enjoyed it so much that this is his second year serving as the BPA president.
BPA is a leading career and technical student organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology, and other related career fields. BPA has 43,000 members in over 2,300 chapters in 23 states, Puerto Rico, China, and Peru. Its mission is to prepare a world-class workforce by advancing leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills.
-Josh
Despite the excitement of pursuing a new career path, Josh has had his share of struggles. “I had to relearn a lot of math, and I had to learn how to write in business format for assignments,” he said. “There were struggles with figuring out how to structure my schedule to accommodate coursework.”
One example Josh gave is how he started taking an accounting class that met once a week for several hours. It was too much information at one time. After assessing why he was struggling, Josh transitioned to a class that met multiple times a week, which proved to be successful for him. Like many students, Josh feels he works better in a classroom setting. So, when the pandemic forced students online, that was another challenging adjustment.
“The instructors were incredibly accommodating and mindful that this was going to be a struggle for some students,” Josh said. “They made themselves available to students to make sure there wasn’t a gap in learning for anyone.”
“Believe
Josh lauds business instructors Jeff Kropp, Joel Schluesner, and Lavinia Baldivieso for helping students through the current national crisis. Josh also appreciates how these instructors allow students to take on topics and encourage classroom discussion to facilitate understanding.
The admiration is mutual. Joel Schluesner attributes much of Josh’s success to the way he has shown initiative by “immersing
himself in student activities.” Joel also appreciates that, along with engaging with the BTC community, Josh donates his time to a local homeless shelter.
Now Josh is planning for life after Blackhawk. He and his fiancée are planning to move to South Carolina, get married, and purchase their first home closer to family. Josh encourages students who are considering going back to school after a long time away.
“My best advice to you,” he said, “would be to believe in yourself. Believe in the knowledge you have gained while working. You will find that you are more knowledgeable about the materials discussed in class than you thought you were.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the Business Management program options, contact Joel Schluesner at jschluesner@blackhawk.edu.
The latest Blackhawk Technical College Student Government Association (SGA) officers are hard at work. Despite a pandemic, this new group of leaders is eager to connect with students and improve student life at BTC.
The mission of SGA is to represent the current and future student needs and wants for the greater benefit of the student body. The group is part of the Wisconsin Student Government Association where students represent Blackhawk at statewide meetings and conferences as well as meet with Wisconsin state legislators on important issues. SGA’s goal is to provide opportunities for fellowship, networking, and professional growth among students.
This year’s SGA board includes:
Ryan Lewis, President (Janesville)
Area of study: Information Technology
Josh Lichtfuss, Executive Vice President (Janesville)
Area of study: Business Management
Sarah Potter, Parliamentarian (Beloit)
Area of study: Network Specialist
Dana Pierce, Event Liaison (Janesville)
Area of study: Human Services
SGA’s goal this year is to improve unity and communication for Blackhawk students during this challenging time. They hope to do this by enhancing the ways in which students are reached and providing diverse, engaging events in a safe manner for all BTC students.
“To help with this goal, the Student Union at central campus remains open with plenty of options for entertainment,” said Megan Wisnowski BTC Student Engagement Specialist.
“We have to do things a little differently this year, so we have lined up small group activities and virtual events throughout the year,” said Megan Wisnowski.
The pandemic challenges mean that some activities are not able to meet as planned this year. Many organizations and sports have become creative in how they get together during a pandemic, and they are still looking for students to participate.
Current groups include:
• Board Gaming and eSports League
• Bowling Team
• Business Professionals of America
• Epicurean Club
• Future Law Enforcement Women
• Health Occupations
Students of America
• Medical Imaging Student Organization
• Multi-Cultural Alliance
• Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
• Professional Agricultural Students
• Student Government Association
• Student Nurses Association
• Veterans Club
“We want to build relationships and change the community’s perspective of officers.”
-Troy(pictured to the left)
Troy Egger, Law Enforcement Academy Coordinator
competency, emotional intelligence, and understand their own implicit biases by connecting students with community activists and other experts.
their new departments and positions where they are typically immersed in four months of field training with a senior officer. This indepth field training helps recruits apply what they have learned in the Academy at BTC.
Sir Robert Peel wrote these words in 1892. Peel, known as the father of modern policing, is one reason why Troy Egger, Blackhawk Technical College’s Law Enforcement Academy Coordinator, considers himself both a progressive officer and, to a certain extent, a regressive one.
When Troy took over in December of 2019, he knew the first thing he needed to do was shift the Academy’s mindset away from paramilitary order-following. “Before I got here,” Troy said, “students had to stand at attention when the instructor walked in, if they made a mistake, they had to do pushups, they had to park farthest away and run into the classroom.” Respect is invaluable, Troy acknowledges, but so is critical thinking and problem-solving.
Officers that patrol neighborhoods and cities must think on their feet and make decisions that will help solve community problems without having immediate access to a commander who could approve or reject any given course of action as soldiers do. This is one of the significant educational philosophies that Troy has learned by pursuing his two master’s degrees – one in criminal justice to understand law enforcement aspects, and one in training and development to know how to train officers most effectively to do that enforcing.
“We encourage our students to fail forward,” he explained of the Academy’s new education model. “In other words, to make mistakes and to then learn from them. Indecision is the worst thing you can engage in as an officer.” He’s also worked to implement training to help officers improve their problem-solving skills, cultural
“We want to build relationships and change the community’s perspective of officers,” said Troy Egger.
It is currently a challenging time for anyone in the field of law enforcement. Highly publicized civil unrest is making the public as a whole take a look at what policing should and should not be. “With what is happening now in the world, I am worried more,” said academy student Cody Oudinot (pictured below). “But at the same time, it makes me want to be out there more. I think I’m a better fit for that role versus officers who don’t have the right motivation.”
Experience is invaluable when keeping the peace, but Troy encourages his students to be ready to speak up for what is right from day one on the job, whether that’s when encountering an issue while on patrol or working with veteran officers on the force.
“Because of the rigorous standards set by the Department of Justice and the access they have had to exceptional instructors, I always tell my students that they are the most trained they will ever be the day they graduate from the academy,” he said.
This is not to say that veteran officers are not trained; on the contrary. However, new officers have extensively studied their craft when they finish the Academy, and it is fresh in their minds. After the Academy, they transition to
The enhanced training standards of the state require recruits to engage in an increasing amount of scenario training during their 18 weeks at the Academy. The new Public Safety + Transportation Center on the College’s Central Campus will allow students to train in more realistic and appropriate settings to practice the skills they are learning.
Sir Robert Peel could never have imagined of what modern policing would become. Officers today branch out from jails, courts, and street patrols to work with K-9 units, DARE SWAT teams, and lake and field patrols. Many also serve as DARE and school resource officers. Sir Peel would be proud to see our modern officers, striving to be community problem solvers and keeping the peace, going far beyond simply enforcing the law.
“To recognize always that the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder and not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.”-Troy Egger
One year ago, Blackhawk inducted its first class of 46 students into a brand new chapter of the National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS) honor society. Out of more than 715 NSLS chapters across the country, Blackhawk achieved one of the 100 best induction rates for the 2019-20 academic year. Because of this, BTC was able to award one student a scholarship. Dixie McKee was selected to receive the $250 scholarship due to her leadership, hard work, and advocacy of NSLS. She is currently pursuing her second Associate’s Degree at BTC in Substance Use Disorder Counseling (SUDC).
In its 28th year, the BTC Culinary Program prepared turkeys for ECHO Christmas dinner. This year, the faculty and students prepared 525 pounds of turkey. ECHO is a non-profit in Janesville dedicated to meeting housing, food and other basic human needs in our community.
The Culinary Arts Program students take part in Soup Wars every year where staff and students get to vote on their soups. This year winners were: 1st placeNoah Gunnink (above left), 2nd place-Kristin Boltz (below) and 3rd place-Ben Cawkins (above right)
Congratulations to BTC Agribusiness student Brianna Sheehan! She was elected to serve as the 2020-21 Wisconsin Professional Agricultural Students (PAS) Organization President at the virtual Fall Leadership Conference! Congratulations Brianna, we are proud of your accomplishments. We look forward to your year of leadership.
Dr. Karen Schmitt became BTC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs on July 13, 2020. Her professional journey has taken her from Antarctica to the west coast and even to Alaska, but she proudly calls Wisconsin home. Her energy, focus on students, experience, and belief in the College mission made her an easy choice to lead our College’s academic unit.
BTC is delighted to report that $268,357 in Workforce Advancement Training (WAT) grants have been secured and will impact 15 companies in Rock and Green counties.
Kristy Crocker, Health Simulation Lab Coordinator at Blackhawk Technical College, recently earned the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) designation. According to the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, there are only 2,000 certified professionals globally. This formal professional recognition is a testament to the knowledge, skills, and accomplishments in simulation education that Kristy offers at Blackhawk.
With over 20 years of human resource experience in the Wisconsin Technical College System, Kathy Broske assumed the role of Executive Director of Human Resources at BTC on July 20, 2020. Her expertise, engaging communication style, focus on fostering a collaborative culture, and passion for developing people and organizations are an excellent fit for BTC.
Congrats to our very own Brad Smith – Manager of Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness, for his recent inclusion in the 9th Annual World Conference of the Society for Industrial and Systems Engineering (SISE). His paper entitled Risk, Reward and Analysis of Workers’ Compensation Data in a Technical College System: A Pilot Study was featured in the 2020 SISE Virtual Conference.
Community-wide COVID-19 testing was launched at Blackhawk Technical College on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Since that time, the Wisconsin National Guard has administered over 5,000 tests. The person behind that operation was Mike Swartz, a retired police and corrections officer from Pennsylvania. A member of the College’s safety and security team, Mike served as the Incident Commander for the testing site. Join us in thanking Mike for his service to our community.
Colony Brands Foundation of Monroe, Wisconsin presented Blackhawk Technical College officials with a $40,000 donation to the Fund for the Future of Agriculture. The fund, created by Jim and Therese Gratz and Fran and Sandy Donny, aims to provide scholarship and program funding for BTC agriculture programs. The goal of the initiative is to attract young people to agricultural professions and retain them locally.
“At Colony Brands Foundation, we want to do everything we can to create really transformative, positive initiatives on a local basis,” explained John Baumann, Colony Brands Foundation President. “The Fund for the Future of Agriculture is very forward thinking and creates a lot of opportunities for local farmers and agriculture as a whole in this area.”
Headquartered in Monroe, Colony Brands believes in generously supporting their local communities; it is a part of their core values. Each year, Colony Brands, Inc. partners with over 350 different organizations to help build our communities through monetary donations and growth challenges. They proudly support worthy causes – from the arts to education, youth activities, and community needs.
“This life-changing gift to the BTC Foundation will go directly to help students pursue an agricultural degree at Blackhawk. The generosity of Colony Brands will impact students for years to come,” said BTC Foundation Director Lisa Hurda.
The Fund for the Future of Agriculture was founded to help make agriculture
education possible for students in our region. Further, the fund will help train and retain professionals for the agriculture industry in south central Wisconsin.
“This generous donation is just one example of Colony Brands’ commitment to our community,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk Technical College. “They clearly understand the importance of a technical college education, and how our graduates fill essential positions in the workforce and contribute to the economic growth of our region.”
For more information about scholarship opportunities or to make a financial gift to the Fund for the Future of Agriculture at Blackhawk Technical College, contact the Blackhawk Foundation at (608) 757-7704 or Lhurda@blackhawk.edu.
We need flexible, customized education to meet our specific needs.
That’s what Blackhawk’s Workforce and Community Development (WCD) team regularly hears when it comes to local businesses and training their employees. Fortunately, that is precisely where the Blackhawk WCD team excels.
When WCD learns of a workforce development need, they leap into action to pose creative solutions. For example, WCD teamed up with the College’s Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology & Transportation (MATT) division to rethink how some credit courses were offered. The result was creating one credit, competency-based training modules. These courses are grounded in specific principles and labbased training while allowing organizations to provide input into the class’s specific outcomes.
Several manufacturers in Rock and Green Counties are now taking advantage of this unique training opportunity. Companies identify staff who need specific skills development in electro-mechanical, welding, diesel repair, and machine tools. These companies send these employees to Blackhawk’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Milton. These employees become BTC students and complete specialized training needed by their employers.
This approach to training is growing in popularity. Hormel foods recently engaged with BTC for maintenance training and they appreciate the flexible, supportive approach to workforce development.
“BTC is a wonderful education partner, offering flexible, hands-on training options for our employees, building the specific skills we need to develop our workforce at Hormel,” praised Hunter Pagel, HR Manager/Manager of Safety, Security and Medical.
Flexibility becomes a driver for these employers. Employees no longer have to choose between employment and education. Blackhawk is able to accommodate student work schedules, without requiring them to take a full load. Training is delivered in a flex-lab environment. Meaning, students don’t have to wait for a new semester to get started, and open lab times help students complete hands-on coursework.
BTC is continuously exploring new opportunities to engage with local employers and meet their employee development needs. “BTC is proud to be a one-stop workforce and education partner for Industry, offering flexible training options that build a skilled workforce today and moving forward into the future,” said Colleen Koerth, WCD Workforce Manager.
BTC has served over 60 students representing 14 companies through its flexible education programs in the MATT division. For more information, contact: businessdevelopment@blackhawk.edu.
In 2015, the report Hunger to Learn: Addressing Food and Housing Insecurity
Among Undergraduates surveyed 4,000 students at ten community colleges across the country and determined that more than half of all community college students struggle with food insecurity. Unlike hunger, food insecurity is being unable to access enough affordable and nutritious food regularly. Once knowledge of this research reached the BTC community, a committee assembled to assess our students’ needs.
Of the more than 500 Blackhawk students surveyed, 33% said that at some point while they were a student, there was a time they did not have enough food for themselves or their household, while 84% confirmed that they would make use of a food pantry if such a facility existed on campus.
To provide additional food security among Blackhawk Tech students, the BTC Student Cupboard launched in October of 2018. The mission of the Cupboard is to provide supplemental food and other necessities to Blackhawk students and their families who are in need, and to ensure no BTC student goes hungry because of a lack of income or access to food.
Any BTC student can use the Student Cupboard; to do so, they must first fill out the Cupboard application found under Student Resources on Blackhawk’s website. Shopping lists are available describing what students can take depending on the size of their family.
Under normal circumstances, students would be allowed to visit the Cupboard weekly to obtain supplemental food and hygiene items. Currently, the pandemic is requiring that the
Cupboard function with no-contact pickups only. Registered students can email requests, which are typically filled within 1-2 business days.
Since opening two years ago, the Cupboard has served close to 300 families at BTC, demonstrating the continued need for such a service.
If you find yourself in a position of being able to share with others, donations of non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items are welcome in the donation bins located on each campus.
“The Student Cupboard can purchase some bulk food items through Second Harvest/Caritas using student activity fees,” explained Megan Wisnowski, Student Engagement Specialist.
“However, we cannot order hygiene items through this partnership, so most of the hygiene and cleaning supplies that we give out are obtained through donations – of items and money.”
Monetary donations to support BTC students and the Cupboard can be made via cash/check, sent to the attention of Student Cupboard or through the BTC Foundation at www.tinyurl.com/BTCgift
Additional support for Blackhawk students is available through the BTC Student Cupboard and the newly formed Care Center located on Central Campus.
Pictured: Victoria Bailey, Criminal Justice student, BTC Student Cupboard volunteer.
Blackhawk Technical College Foundation seeks to partner with alumni, businesses, and friends to sustain the IDEAL Opportunity scholarship program by providing an enduring legacy while also being a part of transformational change for our Blackhawk students.
IDEAL Opportunity Scholarships are designed to remove financial barriers for persons of color who are low income, and who may be first generation college students. These scholarships will increase access to education and make a two-year associates degree from BTC possible as a Blackhawk Scholar graduate.
Join us in creating opportunities that have not existed before! Make a financial gift to “Sustain the IDEAL Opportunity” for underrepresented students as part of our goal to promote racial equity and develop a diverse talent pipeline for our communities for years to come.
To donate, please visit tinyurl.com/btcgift or connect with Lisa Hurda, Foundation Director Blackhawk Technical College LHurda@blackhawk.edu • (608) 757-7704
The Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship requires applicants to answer questions, write an essay, and record a video of themselves. The foundation has granted more than $5 million in funding for trade schools across the country since its inception.
According to the Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation, “the Work Ethic Scholarship Program is about recognizing the people who understand the importance of personal responsibility, delayed gratification, a positive attitude, and, of course, work ethic.” The Foundation goes on to explain, “The hardworking men and women who keep the lights on, water running, and air flowing—the next generation of skilled workers who will work smart and hard. These are the folks we consider rock stars, and we want to reward them.”
Nicholas Miller (of Roscoe, Illinois) is a student in the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician program. He anticipates completing the program in the spring of 2021. Upon graduation, he is hoping to work on agricultural equipment – a pressing need here in Wisconsin and across the Midwest.
According to diesel instructor Steve Jones, “It’s an honor having Nicholas within the diesel program courses. He strives to perform his best every day within the class or diesel lab, and he has taken challenges head-on with confidence and determination. I have full confidence he will succeed in obtaining his future goals, no matter what they may be.”
Casey Bennett (Monroe, Wisconsin) is a student in the Agribusiness Specialist program housed at Blackhawk’s Monroe Campus. When he finishes that program in May 2021, he plans to transition into the Agribusiness/Science Technology degree. He currently serves the Wisconsin Technical College System as a student District Ambassador.
“Casey is excelling academically and is taking full advantage of his education and other related opportunities at BTC,” said Agribusiness and Farm Management Instructor Dustin Williams. “Casey has a great work ethic and can-do attitude, and is a great representative of a role model student.”
The rigorous application process for the scholarship allows applicants to demonstrate their work ethic. “The Mike Rowe Work Ethic scholarship is very competitive and the application process is designed to make you prove you want a spot,” explained Casey.
“To go through the process and be selected is a huge confidence boost that I’m doing the right thing for me and my family; that I’m on the right path and have a supportive network that believes in my potential for success.”-Casey
This scholarship is also a big help to Nicholas in meeting his career goals. “Being a nontraditional student, the scholarship helps out financially,” he said. “It can be tough leaving a full-time job to go back to school and this scholarship helps make that possible.”
Congratulations to Nicholas Miller and Casey Bennett who are among 223 national winners of the 2020 Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship.
“Nicholas has taken challenges head-on with confidence and determination.”
-Steve Jones Diesel Instructor
“Casey has a great work ethic and can-do attitude.”
-Dustin Williams Agribusiness Instructor
When Heidi Ganshert (pictured left) says that smalltown life involves wearing many hats, she knows what that means first hand.
Heidi is not only an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) student at Blackhawk Tech, she helps her husband run their dairy farm, is a mom to three kids, teaches high school science, coaches softball, and serves as the Argyle School District’s athletic director. All of those different hats have one thing in common - the risk of injury. Sports, large animals, and science experiments all carry significant risks for the people who interact with them. So being able to provide emergency care is a handy skill to have.
“I’ve wanted to be an EMT since I was very young,” Heidi said. “Two times in my life, I witnessed EMS at work with both the loss of my brother and grandfather in farming accidents. I knew that I wanted to be one of the people there to respond and help those in need -- just like what was done for my family in our time of need.”
She acknowledged the reward and the challenge of being an EMT in a small community. “It’s commonly said that any day on the job for an EMT is likely someone else’s worst day of their life.” Meaning, as they provide life-saving measures while transporting patients to medical facilities, EMTs need to be calming, caring, and efficient, even when they are friends, neighbors, or coworkers. “I know it means a lot to people when they see a familiar face show up to help them. I am happy that I get to be the face that they see.”
Heidi started by dipping her toe into the basic Emergency Medical Technician program. She enjoyed it and her work with her town’s local Emergency Medical Services so much that she came back to finish her advanced EMT training.
“I chose Blackhawk Tech because I knew they have an excellent EMT program.”
“I chose Blackhawk Tech because I know they have an excellent EMT program that has prepared EMT students well for the National Registry Exam,” she said. “It is also the school I took my basic EMT class at, and I had such an amazing experience I wanted to return.” -Heidi
Heidi has no plans to give up her day jobs to be an EMT full time. Instead, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in biology or administration to advance her teaching position. However, that doesn’t mean Heidi is not going to continue training in the medical field. She is still considering paramedic school, the next step up
from an EMT. Paramedics can provide more extensive care like starting IVs, administering medication, and applying pacemakers, making it even more likely that their patients will have a positive outcome.
Heidi also serves as the president of the Argyle EMS. This position tasks her with ensuring the ambulances remain stocked and that the entire team is up-to-date on their training so they can continue to serve the Argyle community.
Despite wearing so many hats, Heidi doesn’t get stressed about her many responsibilities. She considers her EMT education an investment in herself. “Many adults think that they will not have enough time to dedicate to the work that goes into school,” she said. “I thought the same thing, but somehow, someway I found the time. We spend time and money on so many other things; why not spend time and money investing in ourselves?”
And there is no better investment than one that saves lives and improves the community.
Kristy Crocker, a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, oversees the operations of the BTC Simulation Center. The center, located on BTC’s Central Campus, allows health sciences and public safety students to learn, practice and become proficient in a hands-on, simulation-based setting. Students can experience several patient care or emergency situations, such as live births, emergency birth scenarios, treatment of gunshot wounds, patient overdose, and much more.
In addition to providing simulations for students, the Simulation Center is committed to partnering with area health care agencies to offer continuing education and professional development to practitioners. Through all of its activities, the Simulation Center strives to teach and advance healthcare education, promote excellence in patient care, and provide top quality training through realistic simulations.
For more information about simulation education at Blackhawk, contact Kristy Crocker at kcrocker@blackhawk.edu
“Why
There is no better investment.”
-Heidi
When Tiffany Garrison-Stanley interviewed at Blackhawk Tech three years ago, she wanted to get her hands on the college’s Anatomage table. This $80,000 piece of equipment is the crown jewel of the newly launched Anatomy Learning Center (ALC), located in room 1303 on BTC’s Central Campus.
The table contains four virtual cadavers; actual people who, upon their death, allowed their entire body to be photographed in thin slices and then computer-animated by the Visible Human Project. The virtual table enables students to see the whole body inside and out, isolate body systems, and highlight and label individual elements. The table can even let students isolate the heart, make it beat, and dissect it while it’s beating.
While the Anatomage table is effective as a lecture tool, Tiffany is thrilled that students can learn to use the table in just a few minutes and then use it to explore independently. “They can record while they’re working,” she said, “or take snapshots and then take those with them to continue studying on their own.”
The Anatomage table is just one tool that any BTC student can come in and experience at the new ALC. This learning
center came out of a vision to collect all of the tools that instructors use to teach human anatomy in one place, such as:
• plastic models of every body system,
• a bank of computers loaded with anatomy apps,
• a virtual reality station where students can manipulate artist renderings of body systems, and
• two large Wacom stations (large graphics tablets) where students can work on specific projects. For example, they can upload slides of the bones, write in the labels for each and save their work. When they go home to study, they have the blank slides and then a key they’ve made for themselves to use as a learning tool.
The lab is also eagerly anticipating the arrival of biotech packs that will allow students to take blood pressure, measure lung capacity, and do a live EEG on themselves.
Currently, Blackhawk offers 18 courses that contain some elements of anatomy. “The lab is a critical tool for students taking General Education Anatomy and Physiology courses,” Tiffany said. “Any BTC student, however, is welcome to use the space. Health Occupation students will find the instruction in the ALC to help review the anatomy presented in their program courses. Or, maybe, they are just interested in the human body and how it works; the lab is an exciting place to learn more!”
Since instructors staff the ALC, they are readily available to help students interact with the lab equipment, answer questions, and provide real-time instruction.
Local M.D.s, chiropractors, as well as college instructors are available daily. Student Tiffany Wade appreciates all the lab has to offer. “I am currently in General Anatomy and Physiology,” she said, “and I attend lab to help me go over any material from the class that I may not understand. The instructors are great; they do a great job simplifying the material, so it’s easier to understand.”
The center’s original vision was to be “a giant room packed with students touching everything.” That vision had to be adjusted due to the current COVID-19 crisis. However, as a part of Blackhawk’s philosophy of allowing students to access their education through multiple avenues, the ALC has continued to offer virtual lab sessions. “Since I am unable to attend the ALC in person,” Tiffany Wade said, “I use videos from Professor Tiffany. The videos are great and easy to follow.” Of course, both Tiffanies, like so many of us, are looking forward to being able to have more hands-on experience once the pandemic crisis passes.
The Anatomy Learning Center is more than just a lab. It is an educational ecosystem where entry level students can interact with advanced students and professionals. These opportunities can help newer students gain first-hand knowledge of both the human body and the human experience as they consider and explore future career options.
“The instructors are great; they do a great job simplifying the material, so it’s easier to understand.”
-Tiffany Wade
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