CVTC alumna overcomes setbacks to realize her dreams
By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College When Jessica Simon graduated from high school in 2007, she wasn’t sure where her path would lead. Growing up in a small town in upstate New York, she took the expected next step and enrolled at a university alongside her twin brother. But what looked right on paper didn’t feel right in practice. Academic pressure, mental health challenges, and financial strain made it difficult to pursue that path, she said. After switching majors, Simon
UW-Stout students discover the world of Shakespeare in study abroad experience
Students share the majesty of English Theater in a photo essay Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 5, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. Quick! How many Shakespeare plays can you name off the top of your head? Can you name all 38 of them? Probably not. And hey, that’s OK. (As long as you didn’t miss “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” and that Scottish play. Shhh… Don’t say its name.) For two weeks in January, 13 University of Wisconsin-Stout students step into the world of the Bard, experiencing city
Career-ready before graduation - IBM
Career-ready before graduation: UW-Stout computer science senior hired as IBM hardware developerKuhn shares about cooperative learning experiences in Q&A Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 4, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – IBM, the largest industrial research organization in the world, has been at the forefront of innovative technology and systems for more than a century. Advancing from its earliest electric accounting machines to partnerships in space travel and cloud computing, IBM is a leader
UW-Stout’s packaging program ranks among top 10 in national listings for its polytechnic approach
Applied learning, strong industry partnerships benefit students, create clear career pathways Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFeb. 3, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Stout’s B.S. packaging program has been recognized by three national ranking authorities in their annual listings:College Raptor: No. 3 for 2026Universities.com: No. 9 for 2026College Factual: No. 5 for 2025 “We are honored to be recognized as one of the top packaging programs in the nation,” said Associate
Colleges partner to provide new, free textbook
A new open textbook, “Oral/Interpersonal Communication,” is now available through WisTech Open. Developed by Darrel Farmer, PhD, Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), and Bridget Bell, MA, Gateway Technical College (GTC), the resource provides students with a practical, research-based guide to communication skills essential in personal, academic and professional settings. Developed collaboratively between CVTC and the Wisconsin Technical College System, the textbook emphasizes real-world application
UW-Stout Online engineering, education, management programs ranked among best by U.S. News & World
Annual rankings recognize bachelor’s and master’s programs for helping students advance education, career goals Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 2, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – Returning to school as an adult student balancing work, family or military responsibilities is a daunting challenge. University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Stout Online gives students the flexibility, affordability and support necessary to succeed in the face of this challenge, and in doing so has once again been ranked among the Best
Welding sparks lasting education
CVTC high school academy alumna set to earn associate degree By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College By the time Jenna Lawrence first struck an arc in the Welding Academy at Chippewa Valley Technical College, she already knew two things about herself: she loved working with her hands, and she wasn’t afraid of hard work. What she didn’t yet know was how far that combination would take her. Now 20, Lawrence splits her life between Wisconsin and Texas, between welding labs and rodeo arenas,
Royal Credit Union internship gives UW-Stout grad student opportunity to apply skills in data
M.S. applied computer science student finds workplaces experience aligns with coursework Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 29, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – A yearlong business intelligence internship at Royal Credit Union, one of Wisconsin’s largest financial institutions, has helped a University of Wisconsin-Stout applied computer science graduate student gain confidence and skill in both data engineering and machine learning. “It’s been a fun experience. I’m really grateful,” said Justin George,
CVTC, state technical colleges lauded in new survey
EAU CLAIRE – A new statewide survey shows growing confidence in Wisconsin’s technical colleges, including Chippewa Valley Technical College, with two-thirds of Wisconsin residents holding a favorable opinion of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). The findings underscore the critical role technical colleges play in providing affordable, high-quality education that meets the needs of students and employers across the state. Key statewide highlights66% of Wisconsin residents have a favorable
UW-Stout professor brings aspects of grandfather’s experience in Battle of the Bulge ‘back to life’
Oss uses AI tools to decipher World War II journal, recreate portraits, landscapes Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 28, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – As an instructor of documentary filmmaking at University of Wisconsin-Stout, Assistant Professor Keif Oss’s professional interests in artificial intelligence (AI) filmmaking center on tools that can meaningfully inform and streamline the creative process. Oss, program director of video production, is currently using AI to explore a conceptual
Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems
Students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses use machine learning to solve problems for Royal Credit Union Computer science students from UW-Stout, UWEC, UWRF exercise ‘exceptional’ AI acumen for leading financial institution Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJan. 26, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – Computer science students from three Universities of Wisconsin campuses leveraged their knowledge of machine learning to address real-world questions for one of the state’s largest credit unions in a unique
AI reshaping industry
AI reshaping industry: UW-Stout Advanced Machine Learning students develop impactful, competitive models Projects result in innovative way to search course bulletin, play digital Othello board game Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 22, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Stout’s 360-degree AI education approach prepares graduates to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce by embedding artificial intelligence training in all of its degree programs. For two groups of applied
Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: UW-Stout top story highlights of 2025
Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year’s notable headlines Story LinkPhotos attached FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJan. 21, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – It was a year of big things at University of Wisconsin-Stout, from breaking ground for the biggest construction project in university history to posting some of the most notable enrollment growth in the Universities of Wisconsin to being chosen as Large Business of the Year. In 2025, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University
UW-Stout marketing and business education students apply learning to make DECA conference succeed
Future teachers organize on-campus competition for high schoolers Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJan. 20, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – While the 2026 DECA District I Career Development Conference was held just over a week ago, students in University of Wisconsin-Stout’s marketing and business education program are already planning next year’s event. For 54 years, UW-Stout has hosted the conference, which prepares high school marketing students for future careers by challenging them to apply critical
UW-Stout accelerates grads toward careers in public policy, neuroscience, education, and beyond
Inspiring graduates from College of Arts & Human Sciences share experiences in Q&As Inspiring Graduate Q&As FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 16, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – Among the class of nearly 400 undergraduate students who crossed the commencement stage at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s most recent ceremony on Dec. 20, five College of Arts and Human Sciences students were recognized by faculty and staff as inspiring graduates whose stories represent what it is to be Stout Proud. These
UW Stout Summer STEAM Camps
Hello Parents and Guardians, Thank you for being part of UW-Stout’s STEAM Summer Camps! We are excited to share that registration for the 2026 STEAM Summer Camps is now open! Important updates:Scholarships will replace coupon codes. If a student is awarded a scholarship, it will be applied directly to the student’s account. UW-Stout has more than 500 Wisconsin DPI-funded scholarships available for Wisconsin students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. ECASD, CFAUSD, and SDMA are funding a
Andersen Windows, Hewlett Packard among companies hiring UW-Stout engineering, cybersecurity student
Five inspiring STEM graduates share experiences in Q&As Inspiring Graduate Q&As FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJan 15, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – Among the class of nearly 400 undergraduate students who crossed the commencement stage at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Dec. 20 ceremony, five College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management students were recognized by faculty and staff as inspiring graduates whose stories represent what it is to be Stout Proud. They shared their
UW-Stout master’s students accelerate careers
Four inspiring graduate students share their experiences in Q&As Inspiring Graduate Q&As FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 14, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – Among the class of nearly 130 Graduate Studies students who crossed the commencement stage at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Dec. 20 ceremony, four were recognized by faculty and staff as inspiring graduates whose stories represent what it is to be Stout Proud. The graduates shared their university experiences, setbacks and successes in
2026 CVTC seeks board applicants
EAU CLAIRE – Applications are being accepted for three positions on the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Board of Trustees. Successful candidates will serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026. The three-year term open positions include two additional members and one elected official member. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Friday, February 13. Send applications to Lauren Sullivan, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 620 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701, or
Big Brothers Big Sisters, CVTC partner on $239K grant
By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin is launching a new partnership with Chippewa Valley Technical College, supported by a $239,000 grant, aimed at enhancing youth mental health while introducing young people to postsecondary education opportunities. Funding was awarded through the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health’s Wisconsin Partnership Program and will support a three-year initiative called Learning and
On the vanguard: An artificial intelligence filmmaking course emerges at UW-Stout
AI-Assisted Film and Video Production class to open summer 2026 Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 12, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – A new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Film and Video Production course will launch at University of Wisconsin-Stout in summer 2026. The course, possibly a first-of-its-kind in the Universities of Wisconsin, was developed by a video production faculty trio – Keif Oss, Jonny Wheeler and Co O’Neill. Students in the course will produce a short narrative film, using
CVTC President’s List for fall 2025 term
Chippewa Valley Technical College announces that the following students have been named to the President’s List for the fall 2025 semester. To be eligible, students must complete a minimum of six credits with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher. From Abbotsford: Emilio Escalera From Alma Center: Macie Casper, Jacqueline Gill, Brittany Johnson, Carrie Jones, and Samuel Speckien From Alma: Bella Brouillard, Tori Creighton, Braiden Graner, Adrienne Heath, Addison Johnson,
