Advising team at Southwest Tech

Your Advisors

Matt Schneider

I was born and raised in Southwest Wisconsin and attended Southwest Tech after graduation from Riverdale High School. I earned two associate degrees at Southwest Tech with one being in Marketing and the other in Business Management. I used my education to start my career in marketing and sales in the tourism industry. Working in tourism was an amazing experience as I was able to travel all over North America promoting Wisconsin as a tourist destination.

I have worked in advising and recruitment roles at Southwest Tech since 2013. Since then, I have gone on to earn my Bachelor’s Degree in Administration and Master’s Degree in Business and Human Relations. I also helped create the Southwest Tech Clay Target Team, which has won two USA College Clay Target national championships and many other awards, and I very much enjoy coaching our students. Southwest Tech was an amazing start for me on my higher educational journey, and I am excited to share and help guide you through all the great opportunities that Southwest Tech offers.

Programs I Advise

Pauline Wetter

Advisor
608.822.2353
Email Pauline

I grew up in Southwest Wisconsin and love small town, rural living! I decided to stay close to home in attending the University of Wisconsin – Platteville for my undergraduate education. I started as a Psychology Major as I wanted to help people and after a couple of changes, I found my place and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Human Resources Emphasis. I worked in Human Resources for a couple of years and after starting my family decided that was not the area I wanted to work in long term.

I started working at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Student Services and knew that working in education is where I belong. It was while working in Admissions and observing the impact that the advisors had with students that I knew one day I would become an Advisor myself. It is here that I have found my passion of helping students navigate their educational journey, exploring their interests, and helping to guide them along the way in their successes and failures. Watching students achieve their desired goals in learning, careers, and life is so incredibly rewarding. I look forward to working with each of you as you discover your passions.

Programs I Advise

Undeclared/Undecided
Building Trades - Carpentry
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technician
Nursing (students with last name starting A-M)
Phlebotomist/Specimen Processor
Radiography
Welding

Beth Cummins

Advisor
608.822.2372
Email Beth

Southwest Wisconsin has always been my home. After graduating from River Ridge High School, I started at another technical college and soon found it wasn’t for me. At semester, I transferred to Southwest Tech and graduated with a technical diploma in Office Assistant. Shortly after graduation in 2001, I started my career at Southwest Tech as the College Receptionist and then worked in Student Services for several years and online learning for 15 years. During that time, I obtained an Associate Degree in Administrative Professional from Southwest Tech and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Franklin University.

My passion is serving others especially students and it is so good to be back in Student Services as an Advisor. Southwest Tech has been a great fit for me and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share what Southwest Tech has to offer as you explore your passions and navigate your higher education path.

Programs I Advise

Sara Bahl

Advisor
608.822.2312
Email Sara

I was born and raised in Southwest Wisconsin. After graduating from Lancaster High School, I chose to continue my education at Southwest Tech, where I earned my associate degree in Accounting. That education laid the foundation for my career in the manufacturing industry, where I spent over 11 years working in both Accounting and Human Resources roles.

As time went on, I realized I was looking for something more—something that allowed me to feel connected to my work in a meaningful way. That search led me back to Southwest Tech, but this time, I returned not as a student, but as someone eager to help others find their path.

Today, I have the privilege of working with students as they explore their goals, discover their strengths, and create a vision for their future. I believe in meeting students where they are, listening with empathy, and encouraging growth every step of the way.

Programs I Advise

John Richter

Advisor
608.822.2473
Email John

I have lived in Southwest Wisconsin all my life. After graduating from Wauzeka/Steuben High School, I attended the University of Wisconsin Platteville where I earned a degree in elementary education. After college I continued living in Platteville while working to earn my special education teaching license.

I was able to spend the next 20 years in public education as a special education teacher, as well as an elementary behavior specialist. Those experiences have given me a love for helping and supporting students.

Today I am excited to be part of the Southwest Tech community. I look forward to guiding students as they work to meet their goals and reach their potential.