Moraine Park Technical College students have selected their 2019-2020 student government leadership representatives to serve the Student Senate, District Student Government (DSG), and Wisconsin Student Government (WSG).

Student Senate is a local campus group that is open to the entire student population. This group provides individualized attention to campus issues and activities. Each year, members have the opportunity to vote for their peers to represent the College in the leadership opportunities within the Student Senate, as well as the DSG and WSG.

The DSG provides a forum to share opinions on college issues and offers opportunities to get involved in college life. Students work with each other, plan student development opportunities, act as liaisons amongst the student body, and interact with faculty and the administration in the promotion of student rights. The WSG consists of student representatives from all 16 Wisconsin Technical Colleges. Their mission is to represent, promote, advocate and protect the interests of the technical colleges and their students establish positive relationships with state legislators in support of the needs and interests of WTCS students and colleges, communicate relevant information to legislators at the state level, and garner support for the WTCS.

The individuals selected to represent the Moraine Park student government leadership roles for Student Senate are Abby Muenchow of Horicon, Beaver Dam president; Koy Straks of North Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam vice president; Caitlin Pieper of Burnett, Beaver Dam secretary; Izzy Clark of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac president; Mollea Greylord of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac vice president; Maurice Artiles of Campbellsport, Fond du Lac secretary; Cortland Henning, Fond du Lac community manager; Anthony Fiore of Waupun, West Bend president; Lauryn Slade of Hartford, West Bend vice president; and  Brisa Vasquez of Allenton, West Bend secretary.

The students selected to represent leadership roles for DSG are District Student Government, and Wisconsin Student Government for 2019-20 are Koy Straks of North Fond du Lac, President; Tom Martin of Fond du Lac, Vice President; Trina Anderson of Fox Lake, Parliamentary; Nicole Nowicki of Burnett, Secretary.

Representing student leadership roles for WSG are Queenie Weesen of Mequon, WSG governor; Barbara Turner of Beaver Dam, WSG lt. governor.   

For more information on Moraine Park’s student government offerings and opportunities, visit morainepark.edu.

Live, learn, and embrace fresh starts. That was the exact mindset that Josh Strnad, of Rio, had when he came to Moraine Park. As a first-generation college student, with a lifetime of real-world experiences and circumstances under his belt, he knew that the opportunity of obtaining a degree was his ultimate goal.

“I’ve lived a rough life,” Josh said. “I’ve made choices that haven’t always had a positive result, but when I came to Moraine Park, I immediately felt welcomed, regardless of my past.”

Josh found the College through the Department of Vocational Rehab, as he was transitioning from his life in prison back to civilian life. He was able to meet with the Career Center staff at Moraine Park and take a career assessment. Through that, he discovered that the civil engineering path would be a good fit for him.

When he began classes that fall, it didn’t take long for him to find a second home at the Fond du Lac campus. He joined the Student Senate and the District Student Government, where he served as Lt. Governor and then Governor.  It was through these groups that he developed a strong support system.

“We are like a family,” Josh said. “Moraine Park and my peers have helped to give me a new life direction.”

Josh will graduate this May with his associate degree in Civil Engineering.

“I’m proud of myself,” he said. “Everything I’ve done up until this point, I’ve never finished. I now can eliminate that negativity and say that I’m a college graduate!”

Josh’s college journey wasn’t always easy. He utilized many resources, from the student success center to student life, to help make graduation possible.

“I’ve learned so much more than I ever thought,” Josh said. “Overall, I’ve learned how to be a team player, a good communicator, and how to adapt in different work atmospheres.”

Anyone who knows Josh understands that his life transformation didn’t happen by chance. He was given opportunities and took advantage of them all, from college courses in prison to opportunities to give back today.

“I believe that everyone deserves a second chance,” he said. “According to most statistics, I shouldn’t be where I am today. Now, I’ve learned not only how to be successful, but that I deserve to be.”

At the College, Josh is known to many as a father figure, giving endless advice, guidance, and a shoulder to lean on if necessary.

“Surround yourself with good people,” Josh said. “Ask for help, never give up, and focus on what motivates you. One of my main motivations is my daughter, Emma. I hope one day that she will see what I’ve done and be motivated to do well her life, too.”

Josh has aspirations to continue his education, with an overall goal to work as a plumbing design engineer.

 “You never know the best you, until you’ve seen the worst you,” Josh said. “I’m proud to say, that today I’m the best version of me.”

On February 27, 2018, Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club kids in grades 5-11 were excited to meet and learn with MPTC Cosmetology students and their Instructor Eileen Bouchard! Continue reading