Alexander Castellanos, a senior at Rock University High School, is enrolled in Blackhawk’s IT Technical Support program and calls the College a major accelerator for his goals.

“I chose Blackhawk because of the unique opportunity to earn my associate degree before graduating from high school," he said. "This path allows me to save significant time and money, providing a distinct advantage as I transition into my professional career and further education.”

IT Technical Support

The Janesville native was drawn to the field because he wanted a hands-on learning environment, and he knew that gaining practical, technical skills early on would open more doors for his career in the technology industry than a traditional high school curriculum alone.

After graduating from Blackhawk and RUHS, he plans to continue his education at University of Wisconsin-Madison where he will major in Computer Engineering. The skills he’s learning at Blackhawk are a bridge to his next steps, ensuring he's academically and technically prepared for the challenges of a four-year engineering program.

“I am very proud to have maintained a place on the President’s High Honors list since beginning my core degree classes," he said. "Achieving this while balancing my high school requirements has been rewarding, and I look forward to graduating with both my associate degree and high school diploma!”

College Life

Castellanos is a senator for Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for associate degree-granting colleges. He also participates in various campus events and volunteers to help around the college whenever possible. His advice for others considering Blackhawk is simple: don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“Blackhawk offers an incredible range of resources for students. Whether you are struggling with a specific assignment, feeling anxious about your workload or facing personal challenges, there are people and systems on campus dedicated to helping you succeed,” he said.