with the best education possible and prepare them for the opportunities and challenges they will encounter on their chosen path following completion of their education with us.
Our dedicated faculty and staff work tirelessly to create a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters growth and success. The communities in our 11-county district also play a critical role at our college.
We are grateful for partnerships and ongoing conversations with stakeholders to fully understand workforce needs and goals, and we hear you loud and clear. You need skilled workers from us, and in turn, you will provide opportunities for our graduates to earn family-sustaining wages and economic mobility. Together we transform lives.
Through partnerships and innovative solutions. For example, in December 2021, CVTC received a $10 million Workforce Innovation Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development
Corporation to address the critical workforce shortage in manufacturing. As a result, we were able to partner with the Osseo-Fairchild School District who opened their brand-new Technical Education Center earlier this year. We were proudly able to provide the much-needed technology and equipment.
Students and local businesses are benefitting by eliminating the need to travel and instead can learn in their own community. This spring, we were also awarded the Department of Labor Strengthening Communities grant, which focuses on developing a talented healthcare workforce in rural communities.
In this magazine, you will see articles about our students and alumni in programs and professions highly sought-after in western Wisconsin. I am thrilled that this publication provides a platform to showcase the many ways that our college is making a difference.
Thank you for supporting this work. We look forward to continuing to prioritize our students and communities and to making a positive impact on the Chippewa Valley and Northwest Wisconsin.
Gratefully, Dr. Sunem
Beaton-Garcia
CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED FOR ALUMNI AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
PRESIDENT
Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia
VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Joni Geroux
VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Karen Kohler
CONTENT STRATEGIST & WRITER
Alyssa Van Duyse
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Mackenzie Slattery
CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701-6162
715-833-6200
800-547-CVTC cvtc.edu
ADAM GILSON
Adam is the epitome of reinvention. This felon and former drug addict turned his life around by being the person he needed years ago -- a substance use counselor. Adam’s story is inspiring, and he found his way at CVTC.
DR. SUNEM BEATON-GARCIA PRESIDENT
Chippewa Valley Technical College takes its job of training students for their dream jobs seriously.
That’s why instructors, administrators and staff do their part in leaving no stone unturned, including securing grants to provide even more learning opportunities within CVTC’s walls and by partnering with organizations and community members.
“Employers are struggling to hire qualified workers in key careers throughout our local communities,” said CVTC President Sunem Beaton-Garcia. “When there aren’t enough skilled workers to go around, the community suffers. We need to do what we can to attract people to these fields through skilled training and making education more accessible.”
Each year CVTC applies for grants that will help fill the workforce shortage.
In February, CVTC, with its consortium partners, was awarded a $4.9 million Strengthening Community College Training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The four-year project is based on accelerating training in rural healthcare. CVTC’s total share of the award will be about $1.8 million. The colleges worked with area workforce development boards, employers, and school districts to develop the project.
“The focus is preparing rural and underserved populations for healthcare careers,” said Shana Schmidt, CVTC director of college effectiveness. “In tandem, the grant will help rural healthcare organizations by training people in their communities who may return to their hometowns to begin their professions.”
Recently, the Osseo-Fairchild Technical Education Center opened with the help of the $10 million Workforce Innovation Grant given to CVTC from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to address the critical workforce shortage in the manufacturing industry.
The new building, manufacturing equipment and classes of woodworking to welding and robotics are expected to provide innovative options to access learning opportunities in these fields, said Beaton-Garcia.
“While these jobs are high-paying and in demand, we need to do what we can to attract people to the field through skilled training and education, which will lead to successful, long-term careers,” she said.
When there aren’t enough skilled workers to go around, the community suffers.
- Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia
Unique experiences bring people together. Brooklyn Sommerfeld and Joan Lawcewicz are a perfect example.
Sommerfeld, a Chippewa Falls Fire & Emergency Services firemedic; and Lawcewicz, an investigator with the Chippewa Falls Police Department, were in a compromising situation together a couple of years ago – something that many people will never experience if they don’t work in emergency services.
Sommerfeld was on a call for a male having a seizure. She said it’s not uncommon for people to come out of a seizure and be combative.
“This guy became really aggressive with us after coming out of the seizure,” she said.
Lawcewicz was on patrol and heard the call over her radio. She knew that sometimes these situations can “go south” and quickly made her way to the location to assist.
“This is really goofy, but it’s exactly how it happened,” Sommerfeld said, recalling the encounter. “Joan (Lawcewicz) comes in and pins this man up against the wall because he’s starting to swing, spit and kick. My leg was awkwardly caught between the man and (Lawcewicz). And I’m like, ‘This chick means business.’”
They finished the call and transported the man to the hospital for his safety.
“All of a sudden (Lawcewicz) comes in the ambulance garage, she opens the back and she’s like, ‘Hi, I don’t think we’ve met yet. My name is Joan. Be my best friend.’”
Not only do they share experiences through their professions, but they also share familiarity in education. Sommerfeld
graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College where she received her Certified Nursing Assistant technical diploma and a Firemedic associate degree. Lawcewicz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She attended CVTC’s Law Enforcement Academy before working for the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office in the jail division.
Sommerfeld and Lawcewicz value their friendship and the closeness it has brought their two departments.
It makes working in these high-stress professions a little less stressful, the women said. They know people in supporting departments will have their backs.
Like when Sommerfeld and Lawcewicz were called to the scene of a woman in labor in June 2021.
The women were both working the day shift when the call came in for a female, 32 weeks pregnant and bleeding. When Sommerfeld saw Lawcewicz walk into the house, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’m the only female in this department, so to have another female there for that call was great,” Sommerfeld said. Together, they delivered the baby.
“In high-stress, low-frequency situations, we’ve had great training leading up to that,” Sommerfeld said. “It started at CVTC and now to the departments we work for. We’re super fortunate we have support from our departments and the community. That’s huge, and it sets us up to be able to handle those calls. It sets us up for success.”
THE JOB IS STRESSFUL, BUT THEIR TRAINING AT CVTC HAS PREPARED THEM FOR THESE INTENSE SITUATIONS.
When Adam Gilson was 14, he left his home in Tomah. He was taken in by a 30-year-old drug dealer. That’s when Gilson started selling drugs, too.
“They put an undercover cop in my high school. They did a whole sting operation when I was 16 because of their suspicions,” he said.
Gilson sold drugs to the undercover officer and was arrested. That was in 2000. Fast-forward 22 years through drug addiction and prison time, and Gilson has graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College in 2022 with an associate degree in Substance Use Disorder Counseling.
caine and psychedelics,” Gilson said. “My real problem started when I turned 27. I tried meth. I literally tried it once, and I didn’t stop for two years. I used it every single day, all day.”
Then he got pulled over by law enforcement in Iowa. He was in possession of two 9mm handguns and had a felony under his belt. He went back to prison for six years.
While in prison, Gilson applied for the Residential Drug Abuse Program administered by the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons offered to prisoners who qualify and voluntarily enroll.
“I had done all the treatments prior to that and nothing helped me,” he said. “The program there was just spot on for what I needed. I still use it to this day.”
- ADAM“I’ve been through a ton, but I still wouldn’t change any of it because it wouldn’t put me in the same position I’m in now, or the position that I’m going to be in the future,” he said. “My path would be different, and I’m very content and happy with what my path is right now.”
Gilson, now 38, tells the story of his agonizing upbringing that led to drugs and prison. But he doesn’t blame others. He tells vignettes of his life as fact with little emotion. He owns it. After his first arrest, the prosecutor offered Gilson a “lucrative deal” to divulge his drug source. He didn’t take it.
Gilson was waived into adult court and at the age of nearly 18, he was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison. He received his GED in prison, and two years later, he was out.
But drugs lured him back to using. He stayed in active addiction for another nine years doing almost anything he could find.
“I used a lot of stimulants and designer drugs like ecstasy, co -
Getting out of prison gave Gilson a new lease on life. Going to college was high on his priority list.
Gilson traveled to Eau Claire to scope out CVTC. That’s when he connected with Troy Bruns, Substance Use Disorder Counseling program director and instructor.
“He’s genuine, considerate and eager,” Bruns said. “He has shared about his past openly from the beginning.”
With Gilson’s good grades and instructor’s advocacy, he landed a coveted internship spot at L.E. Phillips-Libertas Treatment Center in Chippewa Falls.
“It’s just the idea of helping one person at a time – to get them to a place that is better than they were. I know I’m making an impact. That’s the best I can do.”
IT’S JUST THE IDEA OF HELPING ONE PERSON AT A TIME – TO GET THEM TO A PLACE THAT IS BETTER THAN THEY WERE.
GILSON
wouldn’t change any of it because it wouldn’t put I’ve been through a ton, but I still me in the same position I’m in now.
- Adam Gilson
Phill Schladweiler’s perspective on life changed after being wounded in the line of duty.
The 41-year-old veteran was a forward observer calling in air support in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. He was struck by rocket-propelled artillery shells while in a sandbag bunker.
No one died – Schladweiler credits the engineers who built the bunker. But he and a fellow soldier were wounded. Schladweiler is blind in his right eye and keeps his mental health in check because of the event.
His takeaway from serving eight years in the military is to take every opportunity to live life.
“A lot of people take things for granted,” he said. “Just the opportunities that they don’t see that are right in front of them. I got to the point in my life that if I’m not happy with what I’m doing and in a miserable state, why am I not changing it? I’m going to find the right path for me.”
Schladweiler, of Eau Claire, has taken his change in perspective
to heart. After leaving the military, he went to college near Beloit, then transitioned to UW-Eau Claire for bachelor’s degrees in photography and psychology. He went to UW-Stout for a master’s degree in industrial organization to help businesses and their employees improve processes and performance in the workplace.
But his heart wasn’t in it.
He had been working on remodeling portions of his home, which he enjoyed. It led him to walk away from his master’s program and to inquire about the Residential Construction program at Chippewa Valley Technical College. He entered and finished the one-year program and applied for the Master of Architecture program at Arizona State University online.
He appreciated the content, but the online nature didn’t give him the camaraderie he wanted.
Schladweiler sought out CVTC again and entered the Architectural Structural Design program. He’s in his second semester of the two-year program.
Once he entered the program, he began contacting River Valley Architects – a design firm in the Chippewa Valley. He wanted an internship, and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
“I just kept on bugging them,” Schladweiler laughed. “I’d email them and say, ‘Hey, how does my resume look?’ or ‘I have this website. What do you think?’ And they offered me the intern technician position.”
Keith Vesperman, CVTC architectural structural design instructor, said Schladweiler is an excellent student.
“He knew exactly what he wanted to do for work, and that’s why he came to us after being enrolled in a four-year program,”
Vesperman said. “He reads and researches and is a self-directed learner when needed. He’s a hard worker.”
“I do believe architecture is a natural fit for Phill and that he’s going to have a great career doing this type of work.”
Today, Schladweiler is enjoying how his internship and architecture classes play off of each other.
“There might be certain things that I don’t quite understand in the program that my internship actually helps explain or vice versa,” Schladweiler said. “I’m utilizing them both to gain as much knowledge as I can.”
IF I’M NOT HAPPY WITH WHAT I’M DOING... WHY AM I NOT CHANGING IT? I’M GOING TO FIND THE RIGHT PATH FOR ME.
- PHILL SCHLADWEILER
When Emily Severson and Nick Miskulin talk about donating their skill, money and time to help underprivileged people receive much-needed dental care, they act as if it’s common – as if everyone takes a week off from work to fly to the Dominican Republic on their own dime to work for free.
“I want to help people,” Miskulin, an Eau Claire dentist, said as a matter of fact. “With these types of trips, you get so much more than what you give. It’s a life-giving experience, and it really puts things into perspective.”
Miskulin and Severson traveled to the Dominican’s Santa Cruz del Seibo region in January. A five-hour flight and a similarly timed coach bus and then flatbed truck ride up mountainous terrain brought the dentist and Severson, a dental assistant, to the remote dental clinic building. During their one-week mission, they served 229 patients needing various dental repairs and emergencies.
Severson, a part-time dental assistant instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College, caught the mission bug nearly 10 years ago when she went to the same clinic to help out for the first time. She “blames” Dr. Gary Hendricks, a preceptor dentist from Cumberland who is retired.
Hendricks worked at CVTC a couple times a week and would tempt the other dental employees with his mission trip photos from the Dominican.
“He would walk by and say, ‘Emily, come here and look at these,’ and they were just beautiful,” Severson said. “I’ve always wanted to do a mission trip. He was
instrumental. He has organized the trip for 20 years. It’s a well-oiled machine.”
Miskulin performed his dentistry fellowship at CVTC from 2019 through 2020. Now, he works with his brother at their business, Oakwood Hills Family Dental, three days a week and at CVTC as an adjunct instructor and dentist in the clinic one day a week.
“It’s a good way to break up my week and a good way to give back to the community,” he said of spending a day a week at CVTC. But doing mission work to help others puts life into perspective, the pair said.
Fellow CVTC dental assistant and hygienist instructor, Pam Entorf, said the mission trip is on her bucket list. And she’s excited Severson and Miskulin have been able to help so many people.
“Emily (Severson) said it is one of the most amazing experiences,” said Entorf. “Both Emily (Severson) and Nick (Miskulin) are great people and very knowledgeable.”
Miskulin expects he and Severson will travel to the Dominican Republic again to continue their mission work.
“What really matters here is we’re just people helping people,” Miskulin said. “I want to immerse myself in those situations so I can learn and grow into the best dentist that I could possibly become and do what I can to serve people.”
DURING THEIR ONE-WEEK MISSION, THEY SERVED 229 PATIENTS.
In March, Chippewa Valley Technical College was honored by the American Red Cross of Wisconsin northwest territory as Military Hero of 2023 for the College’s Give Vets a Smile program.
Event organizers Don Raymond, Respiratory Therapy instructor; and Pam Entorf, Dental Assistant and Hygienist instructor; were awarded during the Red Cross breakfast at Florian Gardens Conference Center.
Chippewa Valley Technical College has offered the Give Vets a Smile event for several years. This annual event is the College’s way of saying thank you for serving our country.
Veterans are welcomed to campus to receive free dental, respiratory care, physical therapy, nursing health and wellness screenings, a haircut and other services.
Any veteran without other dental benefits who has a current military ID or is enrolled in VA Health Care is eligible to receive these free services.
American Red Cross Heroes are people whose actions embody the values of the Red Cross and demonstrate the potential that is in
Whether they’re stepping up during a medical emergency to provide assistance, or helping others through a lifetime of volunteerism, Heroes reflect what is best about our community, according to the American Red Cross.
of trips you get so much more With these types than what you give. ABOVE | EMILY SEVERSON AND NICK MISKULIN ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED WITH THEIR DENTAL HEALTH.
RIGHT | DON RAYMOND AND PAM ENTORF WORK TO BRING NEEDED SERVICES TO VETERANS IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY.
- Nick Miskulin
CVTC Cares is an employee giving program that captures the spirit of generosity at CVTC. Our motto, I’m In, creates opportunities for employees to be “INvolved” through volunteerism, “INspired” through sharing talents, and “INvested” through monetary donations to the CVTC Foundation.
LAST YEAR, 190 CVTC EMPLOYEES EXCEEDED OUR GOALS BY DONATING:
7,386 HOURS OF TIME
56 TALENTS
$31K IN TREASURE
Each week, Carlee uses her singing talent as a choir member in her church. Carlee said, “Giving back to my community has always been important to me, as they have supported my family and me throughout the years!”
NADINE ROVANG SCHEDULER
Nadine uses her coaching talent to donate her valuable time as a volunteer football coach and track coach in the Eleva-Strum School District. Nadine said, “Coaching is what I do for fun. For the love of the sport and the kids. Because of the life lessons that can’t be taught in the classroom.”
GAS UTILITY CONSTRUCTION & SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
RC helps his elderly neighbors with their snow removal. Not only does it allow him to “play” with his tractor and RTV, but it gives him time with them in the cab whiles he plows, and he learns more about them.
Alyssa volunteers for her community of Chippewa Falls by working to save the outdoor pool. When Alyssa learned the pool was in disrepair and might be shut down, she joined a group to save the pool. She is now on the city’s pool committee and is working with officials on a plan so families have a safe place to swim in Chippewa Falls.
WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH CVTC CARES
Sergio Figueredo watched intently as the CPR instructor showed him and his 15 classmates how to place the heel of their palms on the chests of manikins to help pump blood to and from the heart during an emergency.
With a background in radiology, Figueredo, 29, who moved to the United States from Venezuela in July, was interested in taking the CPR class to help his new community.
“I like to help people,” he said. “Maybe in whatever moment there is an emergency, I want to know what I can do to help.”
Figueredo is thankful to have the opportunity to learn CPR as a student in Chippewa Valley Technical College’s English Language Learner classes.
Alyssa Hedenstrom and Lindsey Himanga, adult education and college prep instructors at CVTC, put their heads together, reached out to the College’s Foundation representatives, and planned to bring CPR education to the first 16 students of nearly 160 to sign up.
“Lindsey (Himanga) and I are both new instructors, so we’re looking for new opportunities for our students to experience,”
Hedenstrom said. “It came together pretty quickly. And by the time we announced the CPR class, within 24 hours, it was full.” Hedenstrom said she wasn’t surprised the class filled up right away. This is a way for her students to feel safe in their new communities. They’ll be able to help themselves and others.
“There’s never an issue for motivation with our students –they’re always willing and ready to learn,” she said. “Also, we’ve seen a lot of students just want to be able to care for their family members and the people in their communities.”
“All of our students just want to feel like they can be more helpful and contribute to their own lives.”
Hedenstrom said she and Himanga care about their students’ goals and ambitions. The instructors want to open their students’ minds to new opportunities and what is possible for them.
“We want to be able to give them a full and complete life and assist and support them with that,” Hedenstrom said. “We want to work cross-campus. We want to work cross-departments and see how we can be creative and offer some great opportunities for our learners.”
[our students] are always willing and ready to learn.
- Alyssa Hedenstrom
In spring 2022, the CVTC Foundation, Inc. received a $100,000 donation. This generosity has allowed students to take advantage of classes that might have been financially unavailable to them.
Karen Kohler, vice president of institutional advancement, said the donation allowed for scholarship projects and opportunities that would have previously gone unfunded.
In the past year, the College has been able to fund GED/HSED Fast Track programs throughout the 11-county district, which allows students to study for and take their GED and HSED exams for free.
CVTC also has been able to offer scholarships for students attending open houses and registration events at the College, providing a jump start to their educations. Most recently, CVTC was able to pay for 17 students learning English to take a handson CPR course. That article is located on Page 13. The College continues to look for valuable ways to provide just-in-time opportunities for students who wish to continue their education at CVTC.
CVTC Foundation, Inc. works to advance the mission of Chippewa Valley Technical College by providing unmet needs and addressing barriers to success that students encounter. In addition to our amazing faculty, staff, and students, the great work done at CVTC is possible because of the support of local businesses, community partners, alumni, and friends.
Thank you to those who support CVTC not only through the Foundation, but to employers who hire our graduates, family members who support our students and employees, and our entire community who champion technical education. We are grateful for your support and advocacy.
542 BY THE NUMBERS
SCHOLARSHIPS & MICROGRANTS AWARDED TO STUDENTS TOTALING OVER $370,000
It has been 15 years since Chippewa County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Zunker died in the line of duty. This year, Chippewa Valley Technical College will continue to honor him and invite others to do so by being a part of the College’s memorial Tribute Circle.
While renovating CVTC’s Emergency Service Education Center through the referendum projects, the flagpoles and commemorative bench for Zunker were relocated.
“After realizing the optimal location for honoring our emergency services personnel, we decided to create an opportunity for our community to participate,” said Karen Kohler, vice president of institutional advancement.
Community members are invited to purchase a personalized brick paver to be installed at the Tribute Circle.
“The Tribute Circle is a statement of gratitude from our community to the emergency services personnel
for their unwavering dedication to duty,” said Holly Bembenek, CVTC Foundation major gifts officer.
a better place to celebrate them but in the very place that many of them were trained and many more will
“It is a symbol of appreciation for the incredible work they do, day-in and day-out, which often goes unnoticed.”
Kelly Bakken, Altoona Police Chief, said the Tribute Circle means a lot to her because it’s a way for law enforcement to also honor the legacy and memorialize the people who have dedicated their lives to the service of their communities.
“They deserve to be honored and remembered for what they have done for our communities, and what
be trained and serve in those very same departments,” Bakken said.
Bakken is a 1998 CVTC Criminal Justice graduate and serves on the College’s Foundation Board and the CVTC Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
She said the Tribute Circle is a great way to honor loved ones.
Pavers and the bench will be installed this summer. A dedication ceremony will be on Tuesday, September 12.
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