Â鶹ŮÀÉ hosted its annual State of the College event, bringing together elected officials, industry leaders, and community partners to explore the College’s impact on workforce development and regional economic growth.
The event featured remarks from Â鶹ŮÀÉ President Dr. Kristen Raney, an inspiring student success story, and a roundtable discussion with regional employers—all underscoring the College’s commitment to developing high-demand talent and addressing evolving workforce needs.
“Â鶹ŮÀÉ has a 112-year history of partnering with business and industry to produce highly skilled graduates for the region’s workforce,” said Dr. Raney. “A lot has changed over the years—our programs, buildings, technology—but our core mission remains the same: ensuring students have access to high-quality education that aligns with the needs of Northeast Wisconsin.”
The College was honored to welcome numerous leaders who support Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s mission. Among those in attendance were:
- Tony Wied, U.S. Congressman
- Jamie Wall, Wisconsin State Senate
- Mary Felzkowski, Wisconsin State Senate
- Brandon Yellowbird-Stevens, Vice Chairman, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
- Robyn Davis, President & CEO, Brown County United Way
- Barb LaMue, President & CEO, New North
- And many more
Industry Panel Highlights Workforce Challenges
A key part of the event was a roundtable discussion with regional employers on current workforce challenges and the critical role Â鶹ŮÀÉ plays in addressing them. Panelists discussed the adaptability and technical expertise of Â鶹ŮÀÉ graduates and the importance of continued collaboration between education and industry. The panel included:
- Ashley Heim, Total Health Analytics Supervisor, Emplify Health by Bellin
- Kelly Diedrick, Vice President, ThedaCare Shawano
- Mark Kaiser, President, Lindquist Machine
- Matthew Knott, Green Bay Fire Chief
A Student Success Story: Cora Jenkins
Â鶹ŮÀÉ nursing student Cora Jenkins shared her journey as a working parent, licensed practical nurse, and soon-to-be graduate of the College’s Associate Degree Nursing program. Cora plans to pursue her BSN and ultimately a master’s degree in nursing education.
“Â鶹ŮÀÉ laid the foundation for me to become a skilled and compassionate nurse,” she shared. “Earning this degree is not just a career advance—it’s a symbol of my hard work and dedication. Today, I stand here as the first person in my family to earn a college degree.”
Reflecting on Cora’s success, Dr. Raney added, “By designing programs and support services around our students’ needs, we unlock potential and transform lives. Our work isn’t just about starting college—it’s about helping students finish strong and giving back to their communities.”
Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s Impact on the Region
Recent graduate outcomes underscore Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s impact on the region, with 93% of graduates employed and 77% working in their field of study—most of them staying in Northeast Wisconsin. In 2024, nearly 2,400 students graduated, joining over 80,000 Â鶹ŮÀÉ alumni who are contributing to the region’s economic growth.
Additional recent highlights include:
- More than 1,700 students participated in Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s apprenticeship programs in 2023-2024, which represents nearly 10% of all registered apprentices in Wisconsin.
- Over 7,500 incumbent workers and 674 businesses received training through Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s Corporate Training and Economic Development department in 2024.
- More than 5,500 high school students earned college credit in 2024 through Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s dual credit programs, saving families over $4.8 million in tuition.
“Our work isn’t just about education—it’s about long-term impact,” said Dr. Raney. “We’re focused on aligning skills, expanding opportunity, and creating pathways that benefit our students and the communities they go on to serve.”
