For Immediate Release
Contact: Katie Glass, Executive Director of Marketing/Public Information Officer
Phone: 608.822.2411
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: June 19, 2025
Lawmakers honor Southwest Tech as nation’s top community college
Madison -
On June 18, the Wisconsin State Senate officially recognized Southwest Wisconsin Technical College as the #1 community college in the nation, celebrating the college’s selection as the 2025 winner of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
Led by State Sen. Howard Marklein and State Rep. Travis Tranel, the resolution acknowledges the college’s outstanding student outcomes, commitment to rural workforce development, and national leadership in technical education.
“We are deeply grateful to our state legislators and their dedicated staff for honoring this moment,” said Katie Glass, chief communications officer at Southwest Tech. “Their recognition sends a clear and powerful message that what happens in southwest Wisconsin matters.”
In a social media post following the recognition, Marklein shared a photo from the Capitol and wrote, “I am so proud that Southwest Tech was recognized as one of the finest community colleges in the country. They are a great asset to our region, and we are lucky to have them.”
Representing the college at the Capitol were Charles Bolstad, chair of the Southwest Tech Board and president of the Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association, along with Caleb White, vice president for administrative services, and Cynde Larsen, chief academic officer. Their presence symbolized the leadership and teamwork behind the college’s success.
The recognition also reflects the collective strength of Wisconsin’s technical colleges, which are united in their mission to connect students, educators, and employers to build stronger communities and career opportunities across the state.
“At Southwest Tech, we see how education breathes life into our communities—supporting local businesses, developing talent, and ensuring rural Wisconsin remains a place where people can thrive,” said Glass.
The resolution was co-sponsored by a broad coalition of lawmakers who stood in support of technical education and student success, including state senators Brad Pfaff, Sarah Keyeski, Melissa Ratcliff, Kelda Roys, and Mark Spreitzer, along with state representatives Todd Novak, Tony Kurtz, Tara Johnson, Matthew J. Jacobson, Brienne Brown, Russell Goodwin, Vincent Miresse, Dave Murphy, Jerry O’Connor, Christine Sinicki, Angela Stroud, Sheila Stubbs, and Priscilla Prado.
“This is an honor, not just for Southwest Tech, but for the region and the state that invests in technical education with the belief that it transforms lives,” said Caleb White, vice president for administrative services at Southwest Tech. “Whether our graduates stay close to home or bring their Southwest Wisconsin pride across the country, they are living proof of what’s possible when a community comes together to support education.”
For more information on Southwest Tech’s national recognition, visit www.swtc.edu.
| 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. |