Student Experience

In order to officially graduate, whether participating in commencement or not, you must:

• Have a program GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Earn at least 25% of all program required credits at Blackhawk
• Complete the Graduation Application (available on the Graduation card in MyBTC) for each Technical Diploma and Associate Degree earned
• Complete the additional survey to walk in Commencement (also available on the Graduation card in MyBTC)

If participating in the commencement ceremony, you must:

• Be within six (6) credits of completing a program (technical diploma or associate degree) by the end of the spring semester
• Have applied for graduation within the application deadline and clearly marked "yes" or "no" regarding participation in the Commencement
• Purchase a cap and gown for the ceremony

If you find that you need a replacement diploma, there is an $8 charge. You may complete the Replacement Diploma Form and submit your payment to Registration and Records (Beloit-Janesville Campus) or at the Monroe Campus.

If you previously submitted a Graduation Application but did not graduate, you must submit an updated application to be considered for a future graduation. If you are completing an additional program, you will need to complete another Graduation Application.

The Graduation Application can be accessed by going to the Graduation card on the Discover page of the MyBTC portal.

Each graduate participating in the ceremony will receive invitations for guests. All guests will be required to present their invitation to get into the ceremony. If you wish to pick up your invitations from Monroe Campus, please email graduation@blackhawk.edu.

Blackhawk Equity Access & Motivation (BEAM) program was developed at the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan built at Blackhawk. As Blackhawk reviewed institutional data, including the local equity report, dual enrollment data, and persistence/graduation rates, equity gaps were identified. BEAM is a board initiative that encompasses many aspects of intentional outreach, support and services to help close the equity gaps.

The IDEAL Opportunity Scholarship is an intentional effort to increase access to education and transform the lives of persons of color who are low-income and maybe first-generation college students, entering the following programs: Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Electromechanical Technology, Automotive Systems Technology, Nuclear Technology or Criminal Justice.

Scholarship recipients will receive a scholarship for tuition, fees and required materials, as well as a cost of living stipend. The recipients also will be engaged with a paid internship within their related field of study and receive support from a college faculty mentor.

Potential scholarship applicants can be referred for the IDEAL Opportunity Scholarship through a community-based organization referral. Once a referral is made, the individual referred must complete a scholarship application and submit it to the Blackhawk Foundation Office.

Blackhawk recognizes that many members of its community use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. This may include – but aren’t limited to – individuals who use their middle name instead of their first name, individuals who use nicknames, and individuals who use a name that affirms their gender identity.

The College adapted the Preferred Name Policy (E-240) and the Pronouns and Gender Identify Policy (E-230) in August of 2021. Under the Preferred Name Policy, preferred names will be used in college systems, communications and informational material except where a legal name is required for business or legal reasons. Under the Pronouns and Gender Identity Policy, students and employees may designate their gender identity and preferred pronouns separate from their legal gender. The college will work to use gender identity and preferred pronouns in college systems, communications and informational materials except where legal gender is required.

In February 2022, the IDEA Committee and the Executive Council added a sixth value - inclusive - to the College’s core values, which play into the College’s Mission and Vision statements. This decision was made to enforce the College’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

Our Values

• Responsive: Meeting students when and where they learn best, providing supportive services empowering them to succeed.
• Collaborative: Creating critical partnerships, adapting to community needs.
• Empowering: Building an inclusive, aligned, and supportive culture, allowing students and employees to develop, grow and succeed.
• Strategic: Optimizing college resources to meet the needs of learners and employers through data-informed decisions and innovative solutions.
• Process-driven: Developing transparent, consistent, aligned, and repeatable processes and procedures, focusing on efficiency, accountability, and excellence.
• Inclusive: Cultivating a climate in which all students and employees feel welcomed, valued, and included.

View Our Mission & Vision

The Multi-Cultural Alliance (MCA) promotes campus diversity initiatives and activities at Blackhawk. Members promote goodwill, grow leadership skills, and develop professional skills for social and racial justice. MCA has participated in tours to the Milton House, art museum visits, and various cultural programming including Soul Food Luncheon, Black History Month, Veterans Day, Native American History, and Holocaust Remembrance.

The Minority Excellence Organization (MEO) is a targeted initiative designed to support all students of color by providing resources aimed at promoting academic success, personal development and community engagement. Contact Linda Fair for more information at lfair1@blackhawk.edu or (608) 757-6967.

Blackhawk's IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) Lounge, is located adjacent to the Student Commons in room 1404.

• Welcoming space for all to hang out and connect with others.
• Hosts events and activities focused on diversity and inclusion.
• Has books, movies and more available to check out.

For more than 20 years, the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation has hosted the Soul Food Luncheon. With food made by Blackhawk culinary students, all proceeds from the luncheon supports scholarships for minority students.