U.S. Secretary of Education & Senator Visit NWTC to Discuss Build Back Better Agenda

United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin visited Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to discuss President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

Building pathways to affordable higher education is a key component to the Build Back Better agenda, which would increase access for students and invest in advancing our workforce. Secretary Cardona has been touring the country to gain a first-hand perspective from educators and students on these proposed initiatives. 

“Community colleges like Northeast Wisconsin Technical College create programs for jobs that exist today and the jobs that will exist tomorrow,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaking to reporters after the student roundtable. “These colleges have the ability to adapt to the needs of their students and to the needs of the workforce in their regions. This makes me confident that investments in our colleges and supports for our students, as part of the Build Back Better agenda, are the ticket to a better economy. I’m grateful to Senator Baldwin, as well as the students and leaders here at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for welcoming us here today.”

“The pandemic has magnified the pressures that so many of our students and community members already face each day. While our college will continue its work to reduce the equity gap, we look forward to working with Secretary Cardona on our collective mission in making college accessible for everyone,” said Dr. Colleen Simpson, NWTC vice president of student services.

“Building Back Better starts with investing in our students,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was honored to join Secretary Cardona, Oneida Nation Chair Tehassi Hill, and the students of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for a robust roundtable discussion on breaking down the barriers to higher education and succeeding in today’s economy. Community and technical colleges play a unique and vital role in providing students access to a quality postsecondary degree, and I am excited to take back many of the stories and insights from our conversation to Washington, D.C.”

During their visit, Secretary Cardona and Senator Baldwin also toured the college to learn about its ongoing initiatives to grow and diversify the engineering technology and manufacturing workforce.

“We are excited to showcase how education is changing with technology,” said Dr. Kathryn Rogalski, NWTC vice president of learning. “As a college that is committed to reinvigorating our skilled workforce and helping companies adopt new training technologies, this proposal would have a significant impact on our continued efforts.”

NWTC has recently been a recipient of numerous awards and grants for its efforts to build a skilled and culturally inclusive workforce, including:

• 2021 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education, by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration

• 2021 Leah Meyer Austin Award by Achieving the Dream for its outstanding improvements to student success and narrowing equity gaps

• Grant for Smart Start to Skilled Technical Careers in Energy Management Technology by National Science Foundation to create pathways into the growing energy industry

As the first college in the area to open its doors for the 2021 fall semester, NWTC is proud to welcome back its students in-person. To learn more about new programs and how to register for the next 8-week program session, visit NWTC.edu