Lakeshore Technical College Chosen as a Top 10 Bellwether Award Finalist
Lakeshore is the only Wisconsin college named as a finalist.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/21/2023
CLEVELAND, WI —
For the fifth time in six years, Lakeshore Technical College has been selected as a top 10 Bellwether Award finalist. This annual award honors innovative community college programs and practices in place that address critical issues facing community colleges across the country. Lakeshore is the only college in Wisconsin named a finalist.
Bellwether Awards are granted annually in three categories and widely regarded as one of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious recognitions for community colleges. Lakeshore is a finalist in the Planning, Governance, and Finance category. Lakeshore’s entry showcases the investments it has made in redefining hiring and onboarding efforts.
“We were confident shifting from filling short-term needs to intentionally hiring and onboarding for long-term benefits would create a more positive and enduring impact,” said Lakeshore President Dr. Paul Carlsen. “The success we are seeing makes the time and effort we invest bringing someone on board worthwhile.”
After acknowledging its hiring and onboarding practices needed improvement in 2020, the college’s leadership team took steps to analyze and redefine the processes to become more effective for both applicants and the college. Focus shifted from filling short-term needs quickly to focusing on long-term benefits of intentional onboarding. Every step along the way, starting with changes to questions on the college’s job application, were strategically modified with long-term benefits in mind.
Today, new hires undergo 12 months of onboarding including in-depth training by subject matter experts and high-level overview of key topics by members of the college’s reorganized training department, renamed the Teaching and Learning Center.
A team from Lakeshore will compete at the 30th Annual Community College Futures Assembly being held in February 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. One winner will be selected from each of the three categories by a panel of national experts.
About Lakeshore Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College is a comprehensive community and technical college educating more than 9,000 students annually. Students enroll at Lakeshore to master real-world, employable career skills and start their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Lakeshore faculty and staff are focused on providing each student an individualized learning experience.
Lakeshore Technical College is a nationally recognized two-year college. The college was ranked #2 in the nation by Washington Monthly, #17 in the nation by Forbes, #20 in the nation by WalletHub.com, a top-150 two-year college by the Aspen Institute, a top 10 Bellwether Award finalist four out of the last five years, and named the 2021 Large Business/Industry of the Year by the Chamber of Manitowoc County.
Approximately 800 students graduate from Lakeshore each year, and associate degree graduates report earning a median salary of $59,899 within six months of graduating. In addition to the Cleveland campus, Lakeshore educates students at learning campuses in downtown Manitowoc and downtown Sheboygan. Classes are also offered at additional sites throughout the district. Visit Lakeshore at gotoltc.edu.
