Dr. Shelly Mondeik, president of Mid-State Technical College, has been named the Central Region 2024 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). The Central Region is comprised of Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky and Ontario.

Mondeik will be recognized at the Annual ACCT Leadership Congress in Seattle, Washington, this October. As the regional award recipient, she is also the sole nominee from the central region for the prestigious Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Officer award and the only association awardee across all five categories from the state of Wisconsin.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award, which I share with the incredible team at Mid-State Technical College,” said Mondeik. “This recognition is a testament to the outstanding work we achieve together and represents a significant milestone in my career. It is truly humbling to see our collective efforts acknowledged on a national level. I am thrilled to accept this award on behalf of our dedicated students, staff, employers and the communities we proudly serve.” 

When Mondeik started as president of Mid-State in 2017, the College was experiencing a multi-year decline in enrollment. Since then, under her vision and leadership, Mid-State has achieved unprecedented heights of success, including being number one in student enrollment growth in the Wisconsin Technical College System in 2023.

Professional networking organization Women We Admire also recognized Mondeik’s achievement, naming her to its list of Top Women Leaders of Wisconsin for 2023.

Rather than seeking one idea to spur growth for the College, Dr. Mondeik listened, called for and supported a collaborative professional environment. She also involved staff, community members, K–12 partners, community agencies and the district Board of Directors in developing a comprehensive five-year Strategic Plan built on the pursuit of excellence and continuous quality improvement to respond to local workforce needs. 

Herself a graduate of the technical college system, Mondeik is seen in Mid-State’s many communities as a bold and enthusiastic leader who effectively combines data-driven strategy, collaboration, advocacy and heart to engage and unify the entire College and community in her vision for innovative change. 

Known for her student-centered approach and responsiveness to workforce and community needs, Mondeik has undertaken many high-profile development projects during her tenure. These include securing over $23 million to construct and equip the College’s 50,000-square-foot Wayne H. Bushman Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETATM) Center and spearheading partnerships with Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Legacy Foundation of Central Wisconsin to open a state-of-the-art healthcare simulation center designed to help meet the community’s growing demand for highly trained health care professionals. She also drove ten-year collaborative agreements with three district fire agencies to serve the College’s eight-county district and expand area regional training in fire protection and emergency services. 

In addition to an intentional focus on programs, workforce and economic development, and continuing education, Mondeik prioritized strengthening K–12 partnerships and expanding college-level courses in high schools. This focus led to remarkable growth, with Mid-State district K–12 partners experiencing a 118-percent increase in the number of college credits earned from 2018–2023, resulting in $1.3 million in tuition savings for parents, a 113-percent increase.

“Dr. Mondeik’s results on behalf of Mid-State are a direct result of relentless innovation and a deep commitment to service,” said Rick Merdan, Mid-State Board of Directors chair. “She is an inspiring model of what can be achieved through engagement, accountability and respect. It would be impossible to list all of the ways Mid-State’s mission to transform lives has persevered and blossomed under her leadership or how indebted we are to her as a college and community.”

“Working with Dr. Mondeik through my role as Board of Directors chair is truly an honor,” said Merdan. “She is an excellent and deserving candidate to receive this award.”

The ACCT is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. ACCT's Regional Awards recognize the tremendous contributions made by trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, faculty members and professional board staff.

“Community colleges serve countless needs throughout the country, from traditional higher education to workforce development, professional certifications and much more,” said ACCT Board of Directors Chair and Hawkeye Community College Board of Trustees Chair Jay Nardini. “The individuals and institutions selected to receive this important recognition are deeply committed to their communities and regions. They work every day to change lives for the better.”
 
“Countless unheralded heroes work tirelessly at ACCT’s member colleges,” said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on some of the nation’s most outstanding public servants and professionals through our regional awards program.”

The 2024 ACCT Awards program is sponsored by Edamerica.