For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: July 29, 2025
Geffrard pursuing his dream at Southwest Tech
Fennimore -
He is nearly 2,000 miles from home, but Kervens Geffrard, 35, Platteville, is on a journey to accomplish his dream of becoming an electromechanical technician. Geffrard, a native of Haiti, is enrolled in the Electromechanical Technology program at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. He attended the English Language Learner (ELL) camp on campus this summer. Prior to that, he took ELL courses at the Platteville Outreach Center. “They helped improve my English skills for college,” he said.
Geffrard speaks Haitian Creole, French and English, and has been in the United States almost three years. “He is a multilingual student very dedicated to studying and working,” said Whitney Schwindenhammer, ELL instructor. “He studied English in Haiti but has worked very hard to get to an advanced, academic level in order to be successful in a program on campus. He works a full-time job at Lactalis as well as part-time at Walmart in Platteville.”
Geffrard’s experience at the Platteville Outreach Center led him to enroll in a program on the Fennimore campus. “It is a very great college, and the people are very nice and helpful,” he said.
Geffrard has other friends and family in Platteville, however, his wife and son remain in Haiti.
“I communicate with them every day,” said Geffrard. “They cannot join me. I would like to bring them. It isn’t very easy.”
The fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 18. The Electromechanical Technology program is four semesters, and upon graduation in May 2027, Geffrard will earn an associate degree.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. The college was recently named the winner of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |