News & Events

Wisconsin Technical Colleges offer students unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience in their career areas through involvement in student organizations. Blackhawk Technical College is no exception to this. As members of Business Professionals of America (BPA), students are provided opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in career-related competitive events of their choosing at the BPA State Leadership Conference.

When Jeni Ricci started at Blackhawk Tech, it was in the Marketing and Communications Division as a part-time graphic designer. Thrilled to apply her Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design, she thought this would launch her into a full-time design career.  Instead, she snatched up an opportunity to transition to a full-time position working as the administrative assistant for the Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology and Transportation (MATT) Division because she learned what so many BTC employees learn early on – the mission of Blackhawk is an inspiring one to be a part of. “The programs we have are awesome,” she said. “The people I work with are amazing and very dedicated to their students and work!”

Blackhawk Technical College Professional Agriculture Students (PAS) competed and excelled at the WI Professional Agricultural Students (PAS) Competitive Events Virtual Conference this week. Eleven BTC students attended the conference and competed in multiple events, earning many top finishes. BTC student, Brianna Sheehan, presented the awards as she currently serves as president over the state-wide organization.

Like so many BTC instructors who come from an industry background, Will Walsh started his career not as a teacher but as a Marine. As a Marine, he learned many leadership and social skills that are required to succeed in the classroom. After finishing military service, he transitioned to a City of Milwaukee Police Lieutenant, where he was responsible for training and leading special interdiction teams with S.W.A.T. Today he's retired from active duty but is still passionate about providing quality education to law enforcement students.

The Blackhawk Culinary Arts program recently earned the highest honor from its accrediting body, the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC). According to ACFEFAC, Exemplary Programs symbolize the highest educational standards recognized by the Commission. Blackhawk’s program was the first in Wisconsin to earn this designation in 2006. There are currently 13 accredited culinary programs in Wisconsin and Illinois, and only 4 of those have earned this distinction.