We profiled nearly 20 students from all over our two campuses and learned a little about how they chose the programs they enrolled in and what they hope to do once they graduate. We also got introduced to many new staff and faculty members and saw five staff members with more than 100 years of collective experience retire from Blackhawk in 2024.

Student Profiles

Julianna Verduzco, Dental Assistant Student

Find out Julianna's biggest influences, what animal she would choose to be and the first English songs she learned as a child. Get to Know Julianna

Dustin Sokolik, Web Development Student

Find out why Dustin chose Blackhawk for his college education, what he hopes to learn during his internship and what movie character he would hang out with if given the chance. Get to Know Dustin

Cordell Dixon, Electro-Mechanical/Automation Technology Student

Find out Cordell's must-have song on his playlist, his favorite video game and what apex predator animal he would be. Get to Know Cordell

Emily Roessler, Culinary Arts Student

Find out Emily's dream vacation destination, her go-to meal and what organization she's been president of for five years. Get to Know Emily

Cheyenne Spade, Business Management Student

Find out what Cheyenne's favorite TV show was when she was a kid, which superpower she would pick and what her favorite flavor of anything is. Get to Know Cheyenne

Stephanie Stettin, Dental Hygienist Student

Find out Stephanie came to Blackhawk all the way from her home in Alaska, what her dream car is, and the meaning behind the bowl she's holding. Get to Know Stephanie

Samantha Kotlarek, Digital Marketing Student

Find out who Samantha considers her biggest influence, her favorite music genre and what superpower she'd pick if she had the chance. Get to Know Samantha

Gabrielle Hoffmann, DMS Student

Meet Gabrielle, a student in our Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Find out what languages she'd like to learn, her first job and her advice to other individuals considering Blackhawk. Get to Know Gabrielle

Kendra Rhodes, Business Management Student

Meet Kendra, a student in our Business Management program. Find out how Blackhawk has helped her pursue her goals, what ice cream flavor she's obsessed with and why pink is her favorite color. Get to Know Kendra

Kenzie Gray, Surgical Technology Student

Last summer, Surgical Technology student Kenzie Gray completed an internship at Mayo Clinic and plans to graduate this May. Read More About Kenzie

Cassie Cooley, First Semester Student

Meet Cassie! Find out about Cassie's career goals after graduation, the advice she'd give prospective students and what superpower she would pick. Get to Know Cassie

Gio Aceves, Automation Systems Technology Student

Meet Gio! Discover his dream car, his proudest academic achievements and who his personal hero is! Get to Know Gio

Fae Egli, Medical Laboratory Technician Student

Evansville native Fae Egli balances her passion for environmentalism and hobby farming with her pursuit of a degree in the Medical Laboratory Technician program at our Monroe Campus. Read More About Fae

Erin Doeseckle, Welding Student

Meet Erin! Find out why she chose to attend Blackhawk, her idea of the perfect sandwich, and which Muppet she says is unequivocally the best of the bunch. Get to Know Erin

Gavin O’Donnell, Mechatronics Technology Apprentice

For Gavin O’Donnell, understanding how things work has always been a driving passion—a passion now shaping his future through Blackhawk Technical College’s Mechatronics program and an apprenticeship with Stoughton Trailers. Read More About Gavin

Jake Ballard, Dental Hygienist Student

Find out about Jake’s musical talents, his journey to studying at Blackhawk, and why “The Hobbit” is his favorite book. Get to Know Jake

Staff & Faculty Profiles

Denise VanFleet, Administrative Chair for Allied Health

Find out Denise's biggest influence, favorite book and what she has to say about NBA player and Rockford native Fred VanVleet (no relation). Get to Know Denise

Julio Negron, Automotive Instructor

Find out Julio's biggest influence, his controversial favorite pizza topping and what his Johnny Cash-approved favorite color is. Get to Know Julio

Rachel Gomez, Welcome Center Assistant

Meet Rachel, our Welcome Center Assistant. Discover her journey to her current role, her dream vacation destination and which warbling animal she would choose to be. Get to Know Rachel

Deanna Lette, Assistant to the VP of Finance and College Operations

Meet Deanna and find out how her time as a Blackhawk student motivated her to apply for her current position, what slacker movie character she'd want to hang out with, and the song that always has to be on her playlist. Get to Know Deanna

Tim Hall, Learning Management System Specialist

Meet Tim and discover how he went from teaching seventh grade English to joining Blackhawk, what music is on his playlist, and which character of “The Office” he’d trade places with. Get to Know Tim

Josh Garcia, Access and Accommodations Specialist

Meet Josh, our new Access and Accommodations Specialist. Find out more about how his graduate school experience led him to his career with Blackhawk and his thoughts on Star Wars. Get to Know Josh

Jon Rosenbloom, Help Desk Support Technician

Meet Jon, our new Help Desk Support Technician. Find out about his first concert, favorite childhood cartoon and thoughts on Blackhawk’s work culture. Get to Know Jon

Mandi Adie, Copywriter and Content Creator

Meet Mandi, our new Copywriter and Content Creator. Learn more about her personal pizza order, taste in music and favorite book.  Get to Know Mandi

Jill Rinzel, Social Sciences Instructor

Meet Jill, our new Social Sciences Instructor! Learn about what she is currently reading and her academic journey to teaching at Blackhawk. Get to Know Jill

Tony Haffelder, Electric Power Distribution Instructor

Meet Tony, our new Electrical Power Distribution Instructor. Discover what he likes to do outside of work, his favorite movie and his dream car! Get to Know Tony

Ashley Korbol, Simulation Lab Specialist

Meet Ashley, our new Simulation Lab Specialist! Learn about her favorite TV show, what band she made handmade T-shirts for and which game show she thinks she might not win. Get to Know Ashley

Amber Williams, Instructional Design Specialist

Meet Amber, our new Instructional Design Specialist! Learn about her love for traveling, what languages she would choose to learn, and her opinions on taco dip. Get to Know Amber

Staff Retirements

Cynthia Delcourt, Teaching & Learning Specialist

Cynthia Delcourt, Teaching & Learning Specialist, is retiring after over 14 years at Blackhawk. The thing she says she will miss most is the camaraderie and support she has in the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. Read More About Cynthia

Mike Doubleday, Electric Power Distribution Instructor

EPD Instructor Mike Doubleday is retiring after more than 15 years. Mike, who graduated from Blackhawk in 1992, says the thing he will miss most is working with the students. Read More About Mike

Kathi Winker, Medical Laboratory Technician Program Director

After nearly three decades in education, Kathi Winker, Medical Laboratory Technician program director, will retire on Dec. 20. Her career has been marked by a passion for science and a commitment to her students. Read More About Kathi

Sue Potter, Nursing Instructor

Sue Potter, a nursing instructor at Blackhawk, will retire on Dec. 20 after 14 years at the College. Read More About Sue

Danielle La Reau, Administrative Assistant to the Dean and Division of MATT

Danielle La Reau, who began her career at Blackhawk as a temporary worker 32 years ago, will retire on Jan. 3. Read More About Danielle