For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: July 10, 2024
We Energies Foundation grant to assist women in STEM and the trades
Fennimore -Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (SWTC) is proud to announce a significant boost for women entering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and trades fields, thanks to a generous $10,000 pledge from the We Energies Foundation. Over the next four years, this funding will directly support the financial needs of women who are underrepresented in Electromechanical Technology, Electrical Power Distribution, and the trades through SWTC’s innovative Individualized Student Success Plans.
“We are deeply grateful for the support from the We Energies Foundation,” said Angie Herting, director of development at the Southwest Tech Foundation. “This funding is a transformative opportunity for women who are often underrepresented in STEM fields like Electromechanical Technology and the trades. We Energies Foundation is empowering women to pursue rewarding careers, break barriers, and become pioneers in industries that are vital to our region’s growth and innovation.”
The Individualized Student Success Plans at SWTC are designed to provide personalized support to each student, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to thrive. These plans include:
• Career Counseling to help students navigate their career paths and achieve their professional goals.
• Detailed Individual Financial Planning to identify and bridge funding gaps, ensuring students can focus on their studies without financial stress.
• Wraparound Support: Comprehensive support services that address all aspects of student life, from academic to personal needs including free mental health counseling, tutoring, food, and transportation resources.
“We are proud to partner with SWTC and empower more women to pursue a career in the trades,” said Beth Straka, president of the We Energies Foundation. “A more diverse and inclusive workforce will not only strengthen our company, it will help our communities grow.”
The We Energies Foundation’s investment will have a far-reaching impact, not only on individual students but also on the SWTC community. By enabling the SWTC Foundation to better understand and address the unique financial needs of its students through Student Success Plans, scholarships can be awarded more strategically. This approach not only helps in recruiting new students but also in ensuring more students successfully complete their programs and enter the workforce more quickly and financially secure.
This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation, diversity, and economic growth. By supporting women in STEM and trades, the We Energies Foundation and SWTC are working together to create a brighter future for the communities we serve.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare students for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |