Friends of NWTC Magazine Friends Fall 2019 | Page 2

PRESIDENT’S LETTER
As Wisconsin transitions from fall to winter,
NWTC is transforming itself as well.
The most visible change is that the College is breaking its semesters into eight-week
sessions. Students can still complete four to six classes in a semester, but now they
can focus on two or three classes, finish them quickly, then move on to the next
three. Studies show eight-week course sessions result in increased persistence, faster
completion rates, greater personalization of the curriculum for students, and greater
ability for students to adjust to life’s unexpected events. We are calling this new
schedule the “8-Week Advantage.”
Moving from a historically semester-based system is a significant transformation.
Everything is going to be impacted—how we admit people, track people, serve people,
offer courses, provide remediation and more. I can honestly say the response from our
faculty and staff to this initiative has been outstanding. All of us know what is at stake,
and all of us are passionate about making college possible for today’s students.
These changes reflect what is immutable about NWTC: a commitment to helping more
students complete valuable credentials and find success in achieving their dreams.
I firmly believe every single person needs to have education after high school in
order to have job security, stability and a family-sustaining wage. Individuals who do
not engage in higher education are often left in a much more precarious position
economically. Every time we do not meet a student’s needs, and that student fails, that
is another person not able to contribute to family, business and community to his or
her highest potential.
This is critical to all of us because employers in all industries stay competitive by introducing new technology which requires workers
to have more technical and problem solving skills. If we do not have those workers, area businesses cannot continue to flourish, which
negatively impacts our economy, community and quality of life. Over and over, business leaders are telling me they cannot expand to
meet customer demand because they cannot find enough skilled workers.
Even while the labor economists report our region is experiencing high employment, there are too many people who have taken
themselves out of the labor market because of a history of not being able to find or retain a job. The reasons are many—health issues,
substance abuse, lack of education, family responsibilities or crises, past incarceration, disabilities, discrimination and more. Most often,
these people doubt they can succeed in college and get the education that will result in a high-paying, in demand career. Frequently,
they come from families with no experience in going to college and, therefore, have inadequate or no family support in navigating the
intricacies of accessing federal financial aid and the demands of attaining a college education.
As a community, we can no longer ignore the needs of those who are struggling to make ends meet and cannot imagine themselves with
a quality, fulfilling career. We cannot let life challenges faced by many stand in the way of attaining the education and skills that lead to
family-sustaining wages. If we believe and act in ways that demonstrate to every person that they are worthy and success is attainable,
then those who have given up or lack the self-confidence will come back to education. They will become more highly skilled and they will
contribute to the community in ways that improve the quality of life for all.
I continue to be grateful for Northeast Wisconsin’s support of NWTC. There is no better measure of success than the fact that
30,000 of our friends and neighbors enroll in NWTC education each year. Whether you enroll, donate, encourage a student, employ
our graduates or alert us to changes in your industry, you are the reason NWTC is a cutting-edge, lifelong learning college that
transforms, strengthens and inspires.
Thank you,
Dr. Jeff Rafn
President, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College