LA CROSSE, Wis., June 2, 2026 – Following a comprehensive national search process, the Western Technical College District Board has selected Kirk Bennett, DBA, as the next president of Western Technical College. Bennett has accepted the position and will assume leadership of the college following the retirement of current President Roger Stanford.
The search process, conducted in partnership with executive search firm AGB Search, began earlier this year and included extensive engagement from employees, students, community members, and regional partners. A search committee reviewed a strong pool of candidates, selected eight semi-finalists for interviews, and ultimately recommended three finalists for campus visits and final consideration by the Board.
During finalist visits in May, candidates interviewed with the Board of Directors and engaged with employees, students, and community members through open forums and meetings across campus. Feedback from those sessions was collected and considered in the final decision-making process.
“Selecting the next president of Western is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board, and we approached this process with great care and thoughtfulness,” said Kevin Hennessey, chair of the Western Technical College District Board. “Kirk stood out for his commitment to students, collaborative leadership style, and understanding of the critical role technical colleges play in strengthening communities and workforce development. We are confident he is the right leader to build on Western’s strong foundation and guide the college into its next chapter.”
Bennett currently serves as the Vice President of Administrative Services at Lone Star College-Montgomery, where he is the institution’s chief financial, administrative, and compliance officer. He brings extensive leadership experience in higher education, with a strong background in workforce development, academic and administrative leadership, and student-centered programming. Throughout the search process, he demonstrated a commitment to advancing student success, strengthening employer and community partnerships, and leading with a collaborative approach.
“I am truly honored to join Western Technical College and become part of a community deeply committed to students and the region it serves,” said Bennett. “Throughout my career, I have been driven by the belief that education changes lives by creating pathways to opportunity, economic mobility, and personal growth. What impresses me most about Western is its people, culture, and unwavering focus on student success. I look forward to working with employees, students, the Board, and community partners to build on the college's strong foundation and advance its mission to change lives and grow communities.”
Bennett’s first day at Western will be August 1. For more information about the search process, visit www.westerntc.edu/presidential-search.