Rob Johnson of West Bend and Katharine Schlieve of Waupun were welcomed as the newest members of the Moraine Park Technical College District Board on July 13. Both Johnson and Schlieve will serve as additional member representatives, with terms expiring in June 2023.

Johnson serves as the CEO of Kettle Moraine YMCA, and through his career experience, has seen first-hand the value of technical education.

“Moraine Park plays a vital role for our youth looking to continue and expand their learning and seasoned professionals looking to refine and develop new skills applicable to the ever-changing job market,” Johnson said. “Our current economic conditions have put incredible pressure on employers like the Kettle Moraine YMCA, and having Moraine Park Technical College as a partner is critical to our success and the success of other businesses in our region.”

Johnson has been an active part of the West Bend community for many years.  He currently serves as a non-profit representative for West Bend Community and as a board member for the Historic West Bend Theatre. He previously served as the president of United Way for Washington and Dodge Counties. Additionally, he served as president for the Noon Kiwanis Clubs in both Beaver Dam and West Bend.

“I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Moraine Park to engage students either in practicum or internships with the YMCA,” Johnson said. “I am proud to now be part of the District Board and look forward to but the opportunities the lie ahead.”

Schlieve serves as the city administrator and director of economic development for the City of Waupun. As a second-generation technical college graduate, she understands the benefits that the Wisconsin Technical College System brings to our local economy.

“My commitment to higher education formed when I watched my mother pursue her nursing degrees from Moraine Park,” Schlieve said. “Then again, as a young adult, when I graduated from MATC-Milwaukee. That was just the start of my educational journey. I truly believe that technical education is a pathway to opportunity and a strong quality of life.”

Schlieve is an active community member throughout Fond du Lac and Dodge counties. Currently, she serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Destination Lake Winnebago Region, and the Waupun Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she serves as an adviser for the Dodge County Manufacturing Business Alliance and a business coach for the IGNITE! Network in Fond du Lac County. She previously served on the Waupun Area School District Board of Education, among other boards and committees.

“It is my strong belief in the transformative power of technical education that will help me support the advancement of Moraine Park’s mission as a member of the District Board,” Schlieve said. “From my viewpoint, the college is uniquely positioned to strengthen economic prosperity, and I am proud to commit my time to support its mission.”

Also sworn in alongside Johnson and Schlieve was Mike Schwab of Jackson, retaining his spots on the board as an elected official member, respectively. His new term will also expire in June of 2023.

Leaving the Moraine Park District Board are Lowell Prill and Cindy Laubenstein. Prill, a member since 2011, served as the Vice-Chairperson and, most recently, Secretary of the Moraine Park Technical College District Board, and member of several committees of the District Boards Association.  Laubenstein, a member since 2017, served as the Moraine Park Technical College District Board representative to the Moraine Park Foundation Board, as well as a member of the Internal Best Practices Committee of the District Boards Association. Prill and Laubenstein were honored for their service to the College at the June board meeting.

“We are grateful to both Lowell Prill and Cindy Laubenstein, for their years of loyal service, leadership, and friendship,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president said. “They have promoted technical and adult education to meet the educational and training needs of our district, and we thank them for their commitment to Moraine Park Technical College and its communities.”

The 2019-20 District Board members for Moraine Park were also nominated into office during the meeting. The following board members will serve as officers: Bur Zeratsky, chairperson; Mike Schwab, vice-chairperson; Bob Lloyd, treasurer; Candy Fields, secretary.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

President Bonnie Baerwald attended an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Bosslift last week.

The KC‐135 Stratotanker Air Refueling Mission departed from Madison’s Truax Field. Employers learned about the 115th Fighter Wing and received a Base tour. Bonnie joined other employers of the 115th Fighter Wing members – Wisconsin Air National Guard on a 2 ½ hour mission to conduct an In‐Flight Refueling of US Military Aircraft. Employers received information about the Wisconsin Air National Guard and its crucial role in our nation’s defense mission and why employer support is critical to the success of our reserve forces.

Employers also received a short briefing on the services provided by ESGR and roles performed to support them and their military employees to better understand their employee’s vital role in todays’ military.

“The purpose of the ESGR Boss Lift Program is to provide employers and supervisors the opportunity to better understand what their employees do when they are away from their civilian occupations for military duty,” said Scott Lieburn, MPTC’s Dean of Students and current member of the 115th Fighter Wing.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Mike Schwab of Jackson was sworn in on July 9 as the newest member of the Moraine Park Technical College District Board. He will serve as an elected official member representative, with a term expiring in June 2020.

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As we continue our journey to becoming an employer of choice, we find new and creative ways to help employees be engaged and successful at Moraine Park.  We have an exciting opportunity for our employees and supervisors to make clear connections, increase engagement and create and meet career goals through stay conversations.

In the Fall of 2017, the College will launch the CLEAR Connections program.  CLEAR Connections is a structured stay conversation process that helps to improve communication, empower leaders to enhance connections and performance with the team, and provide a tool to specifically address areas of employee engagement.  Our goals with the CLEAR Connections process are to: Continue reading

Cynthia Laubenstein of Fond du Lac was sworn in July 10 as the newest member of the Moraine Park Technical College District Board.

She will serve as an additional member representative, with a term expiring in June 2020.

Laubenstein is a Mayville High School graduate and raised her sons on a farm in Leroy, Wis., and currently serves as the Bank of Oakfield’s assistant vice president and administration officer. She has worked at the bank for the past 23 years, and is the former treasurer for the Town of Leroy. Laubenstein served in that role from 2001 to 2007.

Her appointment to Moraine Park’s District Board was a special moment, according to Laubenstein. Continue reading

Moraine Park Technical College’s 2017 Retirement and Service Recognition event on Friday, May 5, honored retirees and those who reached service anniversaries during the 2016-2017 academic year.

“We are grateful to these individuals for contributing so much to Moraine Park throughout their years of service with our College,” said Bonnie Baerwald, president of Moraine Park. “This year we had 174 combined years of service from our retirees and 895 combined years from our staff members that received service recognition awards.” Continue reading

Moraine Park Technical College is accepting applications from Feb. 17 to March 3 for three positions on the Moraine Park District Board. Openings exist for the following positions: one elected official member and two additional members; each is a three-year term of office that expires June 30, 2020.

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Bob Lloyd of Lomira was sworn in Wednesday, Nov. 16, as the newest member of the Moraine Park Technical College District Board.

He will serve as Moraine Park’s School District Administrator Member, with a term expiring in June 2018.

Lloyd is currently the superintendent of Lomira School District – a position he has held since 2012. Before that, he served as Lomira’s 4K-8 principal from 2003 to 2011. Continue reading