During the question-and-answer portion of the K-12 Partner Breakfast, participants included, left to right: Traci Newcomer, Ali Liezert, Michelle Lee, Michelle Weirich, Deb Brovick, Mitch Ziolkowski, Bryan Coddington, and Suzy Dantuma.
Blackhawk Technical College was proud to welcome more than 90 K-12 partners on Oct. 8, 2026, to its annual K-12 Partner Breakfast held in the Conference Center on Blackhawk’s Beloit-Janesville Campus.
Educators, counselors and partners from Rock and Green Counties heard about new strategic priorities from Blackhawk’s President, Dr. Tracy Pierner, and Vice President of Student Services, Katie Lange, Ed.D. The morning also included an in-depth look at Blackhawk’s Criminal Justice program, a question-and-answer session hosted by Blackhawk faculty members on pathways and partnerships, breakout sessions covering construction essentials, health care education through simulation, a tour of Blackhawk’s Dental Clinic, and a resource fair.
“The K-12 Breakfast is a great opportunity for our local partners to learn more about pathways available to high school students,” said Cory Espensen, Blackhawk’s Student Recruitment and Retention Manager. “With a variety of dual credit programs, apprenticeships and transfer pathways, the opportunity to affordably earn a quality, career-ready education starts at Blackhawk.”
Faculty members encouraged K-12 partners to consider the ways Blackhawk can support our local students and workforce.
“Don’t forget about us,” said Traci Newcomer, Blackhawk alumna and Administrative Chair for Nursing and CNA programs. “We’ve had Nursing programs recognized for their quality since 1975—we are well-known in the state. We are also fortunate to have generous donors who believe in our students enough to provide very strong scholarship support for our nursing programs.”
Michelle Weirich, Academic Lead and Early Childhood Instructor, encouraged additional connection in the classroom.
“Invite us to your classroom. We would love to come and speak with your students and help them understand dual credit pathways and additional opportunities to get started with Blackhawk.”
If you would like to learn more about the partnerships and pathways Blackhawk offers, visit blackhawk.edu or join us at Blackhawk’s Preview Day on November 7.