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WTCS Ambassador Program

Telling the story of Wisconsin's technical colleges

Each of Wisconsin's 16 technical colleges selects one student every year to participate in a leadership development and recognition program sponsored by Baird, a global, employee-owned, Milwaukee-based financial services firm.

After a day of team-building and leadership development, the students are celebrated at a formal banquet attended by family members, System and college leaders and other invited guests. There, the students receive an award and scholarship and share stories of determination, perseverance and success.

It quickly becomes clear how – having gained technical skills and the ability to apply critical thinking and creativity as part of a team – technical college graduates balance career and family with community leadership.

Following the banquet, the students officially serve as WTCS Ambassadors for one year and, unofficially, for a lifetime.

The 2023 Banquet was filmed and is available here.

 

2023 Ambassadors Collage v2
2023 Ambassadors Collage v2

Learn more about our current ambassadors

View the 2023 Student Ambassadors

WTCS Ambassador program objectives

  • foster public awareness and appreciation for the high-quality System of technical education that contributes to the state's economy and its communities;
  • highlight the technical skills, academic achievements, community impact and leadership – in the classroom, workplace and community – of Wisconsin’s technical college students and graduates;
  • encourage ongoing collaboration in the delivery of technical education among state and local education, workforce and economic development, and industry partners;
  • emphasize the uniquely valuable role of affordable, flexible and responsive technical education in an era of rapid change in the workplace and in every facet of a modern economy; and
  • inspire pride in technical education among students, graduates and all involved in its delivery.
BairdLogo

Baird, an employee-owned, international financial services firm headquartered in Milwaukee, has been the sole sponsor of the WTCS Ambassador program since its inception nearly 25 years ago.

Visit Baird's Website

2022 WTCS Student Ambassador Videos

2022 Ambassadors Collage

Watch the Ambassadors talk about their inspirational journeys

2023 WTCS Ambassador Livestream
success stories ambassadors denisse headshot

WTCS Ambassadors - Denisse Arjon-Rivera, NWTC

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College State Ambassador Denisse Arjon-Rivera, along with student ambassadors from all 16 Wisconsin Technical Colleges, was honored on November 2, 2020  during a pre-recorded Wisconsin Technical College System Ambassador Recognition.

Read Denisse's story
Abdul Cole headshot

International Student Serves as Western Student Ambassador

Abdul Cole is from Sierra Leone, West Africa. Leaving a large and loving family and a noble volunteer role, Cole came to Western in 2020, just months before the global pandemic changed everything. As a testament to his fortitude and ability to rise to the challenge of his completely new surroundings, he was chosen as the 2020 Western Technical College Student Ambassador, an official spokesperson for Western and the Wisconsin Technical College System. Cole is also a Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician program student and is the first in his family to attend college.

Read Abdul's story