Fall semester tailored to meet needs of students

This is always one of the most exciting times of the year for Gateway -- the beginning of the fall semester.

As we welcome students coming back onto campus, I reflect that it might be a semester like no other -- that is, in the mix of educational delivery formats students can engage in to earn their degree.

We have created many ways for our students to train and learn in person on campus. We also continue to find innovative ways for students to study in an online or virtual format. It is in this way we are able to meet our students’ needs no matter what format they prefer.

In addition, we are committed to the safety of staff, students and the community on campus and we will monitor closely the spread of COVID, the Delta variant and keep all informed of any changes we must make to ensure your safety and the safety of our community. I ask for your support in following the mask requirements, social distancing when needed and informing students and guests that we are here for them and we want everyone to be safe.

Our community needs graduates more than ever, the skilled worker shortage compounded by the increasing need for front line workers to care for and protect our community. I appreciate your continued support and encouragement as we navigate this time together.

Respectfully,
Bryan Albrecht

Gateway creates LPN program

In response to student and industry demand, Gateway Technical College will soon offer a standalone licensed practical nursing program on its Racine Campus beginning next year.

Students in Gateway’s Nursing program already have the skills to take the state’s LPN licensure exam through their regular coursework, and more than 97 percent do pass. However, students have asked the college for a standalone program that can offer a full range of resources for students who specifically wish to take the LPN exam, said Vicki Coyle, dean of Gateway’s School of Health.

Coyle says area businesses have also asked the college for a standalone program to help ensure a solid and ready workforce for this in-demand career field. The college listened and will offer the program in the fully remodeled Lincoln Center for Health Careers.

“This is something we felt we needed to do,” said Coyle. “We will be seeking accreditation for a standalone LPN program, just like the Nursing program.

“Having a separate program will allow those students to get into the workforce faster and on a very defined educational path. Some of our students work full time, so to be able to get into the workforce quicker and gain that salary is very valuable to them.”

Gateway receives third Metallica grant

Gateway Technical College has been named as a recipient of a third Metallica All Within My Hands foundation scholarship and will focus this program on training in the very in-demand career field of advanced manufacturing.

Students in the 14-week program will train 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and the scholarships will pay for tuition, books and fees. Students will be able to take the training completely free of charge.

Gateway a partner college in artificial intelligence training rollout

Gateway Technical College is part of a major expansion of the Intel AI for Workforce Program to help educate the next generation of U.S. technologists, engineers and inventors -- and to help them land careers in their chosen fields, ranging from healthcare to nursing to business. 

To support the expansion of the program across the United States, Intel is collaborating with Dell Technologies to provide technical and infrastructure expertise. Gateway students who complete the program -- which is being added to 17 more community colleges in 11 states -- will receive a certificate or an associate degree in artificial intelligence.

Gateway again hosts National NC3 event

Gateway Technical College again hosted the annual National Coalition of Certification Centers NC3 leadership summit, an event that brought in more than 150 education leaders and industry experts from across the nation.

The summit featured train-the-trainer sessions taught by Gateway and industry instructors who provided advanced training to college instructors and high school teachers so they, in turn, can provide that training to their own students. Skills taught were those most needed by employers in today’s industry, including torque, 3-D printing, building automation systems, VDV and fiber optics, to name a few.

“It was great to have this event return this year to an in-person format -- we heard that from everyone,” said Matt Janisin, vice president, Business and Workforce Solutions, Gateway Technical College. “It was a nice return to normalcy for an event we’ve hosted since 2008.

“In addition to the technical skills they will gain from master trainers, instructors who attended will also gain that perspective of being a student as they learn those skills. It will help them as they take what they’ve learned and deliver them to their own students.”

Gateway youth summer camps a success 

Gateway Technical College has finished up another successful season of its summer camps, a way to provide an enjoyable experience for middle-schoolers during the summer to have fun and pick up some skills they can use at home, in their hobby or even in school.

This summer, the college held 14 different camps -- some with multiple sessions -- attended by more than 50 students. Topics included Fab Lab maker camp, photography, cosmetology and Nitro X.

“We want them to have fun, but it also creates an awareness for them of technical education,” says Sam Ingo, who helps to oversee the camps. “Like technical education, all of these camps are hands-on, yet educational, too -- they are fun and students gain practical skills. They’ve been very popular.”

Ingo says in many of the camps, students make items they can take home with them, and are reasonably priced. 

Gateway honors many in apprenticeship graduation

Gateway Technical College honored a large number of apprenticeship completers recently, with apprentices representing many different industries and area companies. 

A total of 46 individuals recently hit the ground running with new job titles and wage increases. They entered a variety of industries, but they all had one thing in common -- they completed an apprenticeship program through Gateway Technical College.

“We’re proud of the apprenticeship graduates,” says Steve McNaughton, dean, Gateway’s Business and Workforce Solutions division.  “They are entering the workplace at a great time and coming in with skills and knowledge to make an immediate impact. “Interest in apprenticeship is growing. We are seeing an increase in the number of companies looking to take on apprentices.”

Gateway releases Fall 2020, Spring 2021 Deans lists

Gateway Technical College has released its Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semester dean’s lists.
This award is reserved for those students who completed at least 6 hours of postsecondary course work – not including development/remedial credits – and achieved a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. Dean’s list calculations are based on courses that have finished (been graded) by the end of the traditional semester.