Mid-State Technical College’s contributions to the Portage County community are increasingly being recognized, most recently by the Portage County Business Council (PCBC). The organization selected Mid-State for its 2024 Decree of Excellence award. Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik accepted the award on the College’s behalf at the PCBC’s 2025 Annual Dinner on Jan. 23 in Stevens Point.

PCBC’s Decree of Excellence is reserved for businesses that have made significant investments benefiting the county’s economic vitality, such as capital improvements, increased number of employees, special marketing campaigns, employee involvement and sponsorship of events and activities. 

“It is an honor to receive PCBC’s Decree of Excellence Award,” said President Mondeik. “We are incredibly humbled to see formal recognition for the work Mid-State is doing to support workforce development and opportunity for all in Portage County. We take pride in our ongoing partnerships and remain committed to being a driving force for positive change in the county.”

Mid-State’s investments in 2024 included the opening of its Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA™) Center to provide a diverse range of programs, workforce training and contracted services. By 2027, the Center is projected to generate a $1.8M economic infusion from student-related spending on meals, lodging, and transportation, and an additional $1.5M from increased wages among graduates. 

Additional investments include opening the LEAD Center in January 2024, hosting nearly 100 events and welcoming over 5,000 visitors to the hub for leadership training, community conferences and professional development. The College also continues to offer an evolving catalog of continuing education courses as well as expanded Dual Credit offerings and sponsored several large community events. This year a 10-year anniversary celebration of the recently renamed Stevens Point Downtown Campus signals an ongoing investment in the heart of the community. 

Beyond recent initiatives and events, service is another key to Mid-State’s impact, including its partnerships with the Leadership Portage County, Teen Leadership, United Way of Portage County and Boys and Girls Club of Portage County. 

“Mid-State’s efforts on behalf of Stevens Point and Portage County not only support the growth of local industries but also ensure that the area remains a vibrant, thriving hub for economic opportunity and community engagement,” said Stevens Point Downtown Campus Dean Ben Nusz.