Mid-State Technical College has been selected as a top-10 Bellwether Award finalist in the category of Planning, Governance and Finance. The annual award honors innovative community college programs and practices that address critical issues facing community colleges across the country. Mid-State is the only college in Wisconsin to be named a finalist. 

Mid-State’s submission, “Work the Plan: A Scalable Grassroots Campaign to Raise Millions,” details its success in securing $23M through public-private partnership to build and equip the Wayne H. Bushman Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETATM) Center in Stevens Point.

“The success of this fundraising effort would not have been possible without Mid-State’s incredible partners in this community,” said Mid-State Dean of the School of Applied Technology Ryan Kawski. “Everyone from industry leaders to local and state government recognized the need for a state-of-the-art advanced training facility, and they came forward with deep commitment of time, talent and financial resources to help make it happen. 

Bellwether Awards are granted annually in three categories and widely regarded as one of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious recognitions for community colleges.

“I am so proud of the remarkable work done by our Mid-State team to raise $23M for the AMETA Center,” said Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik. “Being recognized as a Bellwether finalist just adds to my belief that Mid-State’s faculty, staff and partners are among the most dedicated and innovative anywhere. I look forward to sharing our story of success with other Bellwether finalists across the country in February and learning from their successes as well.”

Each year the Bellwether Consortium nominates 30 community college finalists from a large group of applicants in the United States and its territories. The selected colleges compete for one of three Bellwether Awards. A rigorous selection process with two rounds of judging by peers and academicians in the field culminates with a daylong event of presentations by contenders for the Bellwether Award.

A team from Mid-State will compete at the 30th Annual Community College Futures Assembly being held in February 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. One winner will be selected from each of the three categories by a panel of national experts.