Stockwell Elected to NACADA Board

Kathy Stockwell, associate dean and faculty advising coordinator in FVTC’s Business, Health, and Service division, was elected to the Board of Directors for the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

Established in 1979, NACADA promotes quality academic advising and professional development for its more than 10,000 members. Membership consists of faculty, advisors, administrators, counselors, and others concerned with the intellectual, personal, and vocational needs of students.

TechSpace Opens World of Exploration

Seventh-grade students in the Wautoma After School program at Parkside School experienced hands-on learning

activities during the TechSpace Robotics Camp in February and March. FVTC coordinated the six-week camp designed to engage students in after-school offerings focused on career exploration and leadership.

TechSpace included field trips to manufacturing settings and FVTC’s S.J. Spanbauer Center in Oshkosh. The ventures exposed the students to the skills and job requirements needed in today’s technical careers. Students built robots and demonstrated their capabilities during a graduation ceremony as a culmination of the enrichment experience.

For more information on TechSpace offerings, call (920) 735-4765.

“Green” Innovation Among State’s Best


FVTC Landscape/Horticulture students, under the guidance of instructor Jim Beard and horticulturist Roxanne Rusch, received a 2008 Gold Award in Landscape Structures from the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association (WLCA). The Green Roof Rest Station across from Entrance 6 at the Appleton campus was recognized for its outstanding design and environmental preservation.

The WLCA annually recognizes outstanding organizations involved in the design, construction, and/or management of exceptional landscape projects in Wisconsin.

For more information, visit www.fvtc.edu/horticulture.

50 Years of Natural Resources Training

FVTC’s Natural Resources Technician program, the only one of its kind at the associate degree level in Wisconsin, celebrated 50 years of training in February. Many alumni spanning five decades returned to the College to share special memories during a formal celebration.

Rick Buser, Natural Resources chairperson, says the program’s success is largely attributed to creating regular workplace settings for the students. “Employers who hire our students often comment on their high level of preparedness,” he notes. “Whether they are fighting fires or taking soil samples, our students gain a lot of hands-on application.”

Program graduates carry a variety of job titles: soil and water conservation technician, fish or wildlife management technician, forestry aide/technician, campground manager, surveying assistant, mapping and appraisal technician, and wastewater technician.

For more information, visit www.fvtc.edu/naturalresources.

A Leader in Criminal Justice Initiatives

More than 900,000 persons were listed as missing in February 2008. Finding them requires a champion to streamline resources and provide ongoing training and awareness. One such leader is the FVTC Criminal Justice Center for Innovation.

In February, FVTC hosted the Investigating Missing Persons Conference in Appleton and welcomed officials from local and state law enforcement, and attendees from federal, national, and international agencies. Experts in many fields of criminal justice facilitated training workshops on techniques used during investigating and analyzing missing persons cases. Additional topics included community response planning, federal legislation, and electronic developments.

For more information, visit www.fvtc.edu/criminaljustice.

Wireless “Patient” Joins Virtual Training Hospital

A baby cries. A youngster cuts his or her leg. Another person is having a seizure. These care scenarios are front and center in FVTC’s Human Patient Simulation Lab, training students in the Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Dental Hygiene programs.

In February, FVTC welcomed iSTAN to its human patient simulation family thanks to a donation from ThedaCare. The College’s iSTAN unit is one of the world’s first wireless human patient simulators used in health care training outside the military. Its capabilities enhance mobility and efficiency for use in various settings. “iSTAN is incredibly realistic,” says Bob Sternhagen, human patient simulator coordinator at FVTC. “It breathes, has heart and bowel sounds, simulates bleeding, has a pulse, and can talk.” Sternhagen notes that the technology gives students the experience and confidence needed to provide the best care possible.

For more information on human patient simulation at FVTC,
call (920) 735-2516.

New Waupaca Center Energizes Community

A fundraising campaign eclipsing $1 million helped open the doors to the new FVTC Waupaca Regional Center in January 2008. The 15,550-square-foot center, designed as a renewable energies facility, replaces a leased building formerly located in downtown Waupaca. The new Center, located at 1979 Godfrey Dr., provides expanded offerings and customized training tailored to meet the needs of the region.

Visitors to the new Center can witness green technology in real-time thanks to an energy kiosk with a touch-screen monitor, located in the entrance lobby. The Waupaca Area Job Center is also located in the new facility.

For more information on the new FVTC Waupaca Regional Center, visit www.fvtc.edu/waupaca.

DuPont Recognizes FVTC

The Supply Chain Solutions Team at FVTC received a special certificate from DuPont for contributing toward the corporation’s receipt of the 2007 Association for Operations Management (APICS) Excellence in Education award. The award acknowledges an organization’s commitment to education investment and productivity improvements based on the APICS body of knowledge.

FVTC’s Supply Chain Solutions Team designed an effective distance learning format for DuPont in supply chain management, and provides training and education to the corporation’s supply chain professionals throughout the world.

For more information on supply chain solutions offered through FVTC, visit www.fvtc.edu/cscp.

Career Exploration Certificate Programs

Fox Valley Technical College continuously provides offerings designed to create successful pathways for students and meet employer demands. One recent series includes 11 career exploration certificate programs ideal for students who have a general idea of a field they want to work in, but are uncertain about which specific career and how to prepare for it.

Through these programs, students can learn about job opportunities, salaries, and benefits, and the education needed to enter specific careers. They can also apply credits from a career exploration certificate program toward degree and diploma programs. “Career exploration certificate programs are key entry-points in preparing students for landing successful jobs,” says Carol May, FVTC’s director of Instructional Advancement. “The College has created a strong connection between students and workplace expectations through this new program.”

Career Exploration Certificate Programs:
Agriculture, Horticulture, and Natural Resources careers
Automotive careers
Business, Management & Finance careers
Engineering and Electronics careers
Health careers
Human Services careers
Information Technology careers
Manufacturing careers
Marketing and Sales careers
Public Safety careers
Learn more >>

Students Shine in Global Spotlights

Students enrolled in FVTC’s Printing and Publishing program won the Best Use of MetalFX in Education award at the 2007 International Printer and Design Agency of the Year Awards competition. The student team was one of only two winners from the United States.

They received the award for a 2008 calendar entitled “Printing with Metal,” which employed silver metallic ink to produce striking images.

FVTC Agriculture students placed in four different categories—including two first place honors—at the annual national Postsecondary Agriculture Student competition in Dallas.

Competitions and placements included: Crop Specialist Team: First Place to Robert Laubenstein and Craig Rieckmann, and Third Place to Nathan Knaack and Jason Muck. Crop Specialist Individual: First Place to Robert Laubenstein, and Third Place to Nathan Knaack. Employment Interview: Third Place to Jason Muck. Dairy Specialist Individual: Third Place to Alex Geiser.