Teamwork makes the dream work in the Marinette area

NWTC and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in Marinette are working together to reduce duplication and increase access to higher education opportunities for students. 

Leaders at NWTC Marinette and UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus, have been meeting with area school districts, business leaders and community members to spread the word about the new Marinette Area Higher Education Coalition. 

The effort makes sense because both institutions share common goals. 

For example, both campuses fulfill educational needs beyond high school. Both provide workforce training to individuals and employees of local businesses. Both are committed to lifelong learning through credit and non-credit opportunities. Both exist to help foster economic development in the Marinette region. By working together, administrators from the schools say they can use resources to expand offerings and bring greater opportunities to the area. 

Under a recent UW-System restructuring, Marinette now fits under the umbrella of the four-year UW-Green Bay campus.

“Our region can now benefit from the availability of several four-year baccalaureate degrees right here in Marinette,” said UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus, Executive Officer Cindy Bailey. “Students who complete certain programs at NWTC Marinette will be able to continue their college education right in town.”

In addition, the partnership means coordinated student activities, expanded services and more opportunities for clubs and events.

“The coalition means people in our area can obtain their desired degree without having to leave the community while saving a lot of money,” NWTC Marinette Campus Dean Jennifer Flatt said. 

Although the two campuses are working together, both will maintain their individual identities. Each campus will continue to offer certain programs the other does not. 

School leaders say the coalition can add more to the educational and economic vitality of the region, providing community resources in many areas, such as career services, individual courses, degree programs, classroom space for rentals and much more.