About | Western Technical College

About

Every Student, Every Day

Dr. Roger StanfordWestern Technical College is an open enrollment college, meaning we accept everyone who applies. But, we strive to be more than just accessible, more than just a back-up plan. Our vision is to be the college of first choice in our region.

To achieve that, we pledge to be a college that supports every student, every day. We offer a variety of services to help students thrive. From helpful tutors, accessible instructors, and knowledgeable advisors, to comfortable study spaces, convenient regional locations, and opportunities to engage with our communities – we create critical connections that promote success.

You’ll not only be supported while you’re here, but you’ll also have our support as you enter the workforce. Every one of our programs has an advisory committee of local industry professionals to make sure our training matches the skills required in the real world. 

Not every college can make these promises. As a technical college, we are uniquely positioned to be responsive to the needs around us. And because Western is ranked in the top three percent of technical colleges nationwide, we have proven we can do it better.

So, whether you’re considering Western for job training, a degree, a pathway to a university, or even to work here, I want you to know that we are invested in your success.

You belong here.

Roger Stanford, Ph.D.
President
Western Technical College

Mission, Vision, and Values

Our Mission

Western Technical College provides relevant, high quality education, in a collaborative and sustainable environment that changes the lives of students and grows our communities.

Our Vision

Western Technical College is the college of first choice in our region.

Our Values

We value the success of our students and hold ourselves accountable for providing excellence in student learning, based on the diverse needs of each student and built on a foundation of integrity, teamwork, and respect.

  • Learning
  • Excellence
  • Accountability
  • Diversity
  • Student Success
  • Teamwork
  • Integrity
  • Respect

Culture

Western strives to create a culture where people feel empowered to make a difference; where we are passionate about collaboration and student success; where we take equitable actions that respect our differences; and where we serve students, partners, communities, and each other from a place of unconditional positive regard.

Experience 2025 Strategic Plan

In September 2018, Western announced the launch of a new college-wide strategic plan, Experience 2025, aimed at improving overall student success. At Western, student success means the college is student-ready. It means that all employees have the commitment and the capability to serve greater numbers of traditionally underserved students.

The plan was developed with input from Western staff, students, and local employers. It builds upon the previous plan, Vision 2020, which included a $79.8 million referendum to create facilities that represent current and future work environments. With updated facilities, our focus is shifting to the student experience.

Achieving the Dream

What is Achieving the Dream?

Achieving the Dream logoAchieving the Dream (ATD) is a national resource network that helps two-year colleges implement innovative, research-based best practices in order to accelerate student success.

The initiative focuses on student groups that face the most significant barriers to success. ATD is committed to using student success data to help make decisions. For more information about the initiative, visit the national Achieving the Dream website.

Western joined ATD in 2014 and assembled a core team to begin the planning process and set our priorities.

Commitment to Sustainability

In 2007, Western signed the American College and University President's Climate Commitment to sharply reduce and eventually eliminate all of the college's global warming emissions. This act set into motion a district-wide effort to become a leader in reversing global warming.

Since that time, Western has implemented energy-saving initiatives that have not only helped the environment, but have saved the college $1 million and counting! Western has received local, state, and national recognition, and has become a resource for organizations that are looking to make sustainable choices as well.

In January 2016, Western renewed the original Climate Commitment and expanded it to include efforts on environmental resiliency.

Advisory Committees

Every program at Western relies on an advisory committee to help ensure students receive the essential experience and skills needed to succeed in their occupations. Hundreds of local employers serve on these committees to provide us with insight that keeps our curriculum relevant to the workforce and meaningful to our students. 

View an accessible and printable handbook.

Community Economic Impact

In early 2019, Western Technical College worked with Emsi, a labor market analytics firm, on an economic impact study.

About La Crosse

The La Crosse area offers outstanding recreation, world-class health care, a growing economy, and a community that values and supports higher education. Below are some useful links that will help you learn more about the community Western serves: