Mid-State Technical College has been selected for the Showcase Award in the category of Planning, Governance and Finance at the Bellwether College Consortium’s 31st Annual Community College Futures Assembly (CCFA). The competition and awards ceremony were held in San Antonio, Texas, in late February. 

The annual Bellwether award competition honors innovative community college programs and practices that address critical issues facing community colleges across the country. The judged Bellwether Finalist Showcase was held Sunday, Feb. 23, as a feature of the larger Bellwether Finalist competition, widely regarded as one of the nation’s most prestigious competitions for community colleges. Mid-State was the only college in Wisconsin to be named a Bellwether finalist this year and competed against nine other colleges in its category.

“Being named a finalist for the prestigious Bellwether Award is a testament to Mid-State’s commitment to innovation and excellence in higher education,” said Mid-State’s vice president of Academics, Dr. Chris Severson. “This experience not only allowed us to highlight our achievements to support students and employers on a national stage but also to learn from other top institutions and their impactful initiatives. We are especially honored to have received the Showcase Award, a recognition of our team’s dedication and creativity.”

The Showcase competition is judged anonymously by a panel of national experts. It includes a program explanation, booth presentation and question and answer segment. Mid-State’s team presented the College’s submission, “Work the Plan: A Scalable Grassroots Campaign to Raise Millions,” detailing Mid-State’s success in securing $23M through public-private partnership to build and equip the Wayne H. Bushman Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA™) Center in Stevens Point.

“I am so proud, not only of the incredible work done by our Mid-State team to raise $23M for the AMETA Center but for our Bellwether Finalist team, who represented us so well on the national stage,” said Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik. “Being a Bellwether finalist alone is testament to the dedication and innovation of Mid-State’s faculty, staff and partners. Winning the Showcase Award is just further evidence of the extraordinary work Mid-State is doing on behalf of its communities.”

The Community College Futures Assembly convenes annually as an independent national forum for innovators to work as a think tank. The consortium is supported by Alamo Colleges District in San Antonio.