Dr. Katie Lange has been named the new Executive Director of Student Services at Blackhawk Technical College, bringing more than a decade of experience at the College to her new leadership role. She succeeds Tony Landowski, who retired in May after serving in the position for nine years.
“Katie’s energy, enthusiasm, attention to detail, and commitment make her the clear choice to lead the College's Student Services team. I am excited for the future of Blackhawk with Katie as our Student Services leader,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, Blackhawk President.
The Student Services Division offers a range of resources to support students' academic and personal success. From advising to wellness, these services are designed to enhance the student experience and help students thrive throughout their educational journey.
Lange, who has held a series of Student Services positions of increasing responsibility over her years at Blackhawk, now leads a staff of 35 employees who support Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Career Services, the Access/Accommodations program and more.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Wartburg, Lange accepted her first professional role as an Admission Counselor. She later relocated to Wisconsin and began exploring opportunities at local colleges, which led her to Blackhawk. Once at Blackhawk, she went on to earn a Master of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and a Doctor of Education from Edgewood College in Madison.
“Shortly after starting at Blackhawk, I fell in love with the mission of our institution. I immediately saw the impact that an open-access institution has on individual students, their families, and the community,” she said.
“My focus as I get started is to really understand what is working well in Student Services and what needs improvement by listening to each member of the team,” Lange said.
Lange envisions a department that is responsive, inclusive and always focused on improving the student experience. Her goals include:
- Ensuring that student voices are represented in decision-making.
- Creating processes to identify and adapt to students’ changing needs.
- Continually evaluating and improving the student experience at every stage.
- Building a positive, teamwork-driven culture within Student Services—one that values professional development, encourages innovation, and ensures every team member knows their voice matters.
- Aligning departmental goals with the College’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
“We have an expansive portfolio of services, resources, and support offerings available through our department now,” Lange said. “My approach will be to review what we do have to offer and the effectiveness of our services. When students’ needs change, we must be ready to adapt our services and how we support them.”