NWTC Presidential Search
We are pleased to announce that the NWTC Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Kristen Raney as the 8th president of NWTC. Learn more about Dr. Raney and the Presidential search process below.
Meet the New NWTC President
Dr. Kristen Raney
Dr. Kristen Raney has advanced student success and equity in technical and community colleges for more than twenty years. She currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC), in Davenport, IA, where she leads the academic division and institutional accreditation for the multi-college district.
Dr. Raney has significant experience in both academic and student affairs. She previously worked at Saint Paul College in St. Paul, MN, where she served as dean of students and interim vice president of student affairs before becoming the vice president of academic affairs. Highlights of her work include leading a multi-year effort to redesign assessment of student learning and program review processes; establishing a department of faculty development and innovation; implementing a guided pathway advising model; and strengthening shared governance practices.
Her career began as a part-time instructional assistant at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Eau Claire, WI. She held a range of positions in her twelve years at CVTC, from faculty to dean of academic development and services. As dean, Dr. Raney implemented new models of integrated academic support, introduced culturally responsive teaching practices, established a new model for adult basic education, and expanded support and outreach services across the CVTC district.
Dr. Raney is driven by her belief that education transforms lives and strengthens communities. She is widely recognized as a visionary leader who approaches her work with transparency, integrity, and empathy. Dr. Raney has been a Peer Reviewer with the Higher Learning Commission since 2019. She participated in the Aspen Fellowship for the Rising Future Presidents institute in 2021-2022.
Dr. Raney earned a doctorate of education in higher education and leadership studies from Edgewood College; a master of science in education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout; and a bachelor of arts in English from St. Cloud State University.
Search Timeline
- February 15, 2023: Review of application materials begins, continuing until the appointment is made.
- March 2, 2023: For full consideration, application materials must be submitted by this date and will be accepted until the position is filled.
- April 4-6, 2023: Employee, student and community forums with the candidates.
- April 10, 2023: NWTC Board of Trustees Executive Session, meeting held at Lambeau Field (agenda).
- End of April 2023: Selection of the next NWTC President will be selected prior to this timeframe.
- Summer 2023: The new President assumes office.
Search Process
The Northeast Wisconsin Technical College District Board has partnered with executive search firm Academic Search to fill the position of NWTC President. The following outlines the process for selecting the new President and the status of each step.
Planning Phase
- Search announced – complete
- Search committee formed – complete
- Search firm selected – complete
- Feedback gathered and planning documentation compiled – complete
Recruiting Phase
- Job description and position requirements defined – complete
- Applications and nominations accepted – compete
- Application materials reviewed – compete
- Candidates selected to move to next phase – compete
Evaluation Phase
- Background and reference checks – compete
- First round interviews conducted – compete
- Search committee deliberations – complete
- Final candidate selection and campus visits – complete
- NWTC President is selected – complete
Search Firm
Academic Search is assisting NWTC in this work. For more than four decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services to higher education institutions, associations, and related organizations. Academic Search was founded by higher education leaders on the principle that they provide the most value to partner institutions by combining best practices with their deep knowledge and experience. Their mission today is to enhance institutional capacity by providing outstanding executive recruitment services, executive coaching, and transition support, in partnership with their parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute. For more information, visit www.academicsearch.org.
About NWTC
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, a public two-year technical college serving nine counties and 32 K-12 school districts in Northeast Wisconsin, is one of 16 districts that operate in a statewide plan for vocational, technical, and adult education. It is governed by a nine-member District Board. NWTC’s mission is firmly rooted in access to education, student success, and lifelong learning to meet the region’s workforce needs. Founded in 1912 as a city vocational school providing high-quality education for young adults, NWTC has grown to serve nearly 20,000 students and more than 500 businesses annually.
Today NWTC offers cutting-edge, lifelong education that merges learning tradition with technological innovations and inclusive programming to allow all students to succeed. Offering over 200 associate degree, technical diploma, certificate, and apprenticeship programs, the College has become the area’s resource for affordable excellence in higher education. NWTC is a national leader in student success, and a pioneer of programs using innovative technologies to meet the current and future needs of students and community. Intensely focused on students and the economic vitality of its region, the College transforms, strengthens, and inspires the people of Northeast Wisconsin and beyond.
About Northeast Wisconsin
Northeast Wisconsin offers a wide range of city living and small town options. With a low cost of living, growing communities, and active downtown activities throughout the region, it's easy to find a place you can feel at home. To learn about the range of opportunities in the NWTC district, be sure to check out the resources below.