Telling the story of Wisconsin's technical colleges
Watch the 2024 Banquet here.
Each of Wisconsin's 16 technical colleges selects one student every year to participate in a leadership development and recognition program sponsored by Baird, a global, employee-owned, Milwaukee-based financial services firm.
After a day of team-building and leadership development, the students are celebrated at a formal banquet attended by family members, System and college leaders and other invited guests. There, the students receive an award and scholarship and share stories of determination, perseverance and success.
It quickly becomes clear how – having gained technical skills and the ability to apply critical thinking and creativity as part of a team – technical college graduates balance career and family with community leadership.
Following the banquet, the students officially serve as WTCS Ambassadors for one year and, unofficially, for a lifetime.
Watch the 2024 Banquet here.
WTCS Ambassador program objectives
- foster public awareness and appreciation for the high-quality System of technical education that contributes to the state's economy and its communities;
- highlight the technical skills, academic achievements, community impact and leadership – in the classroom, workplace and community – of Wisconsin’s technical college students and graduates;
- encourage ongoing collaboration in the delivery of technical education among state and local education, workforce and economic development, and industry partners;
- emphasize the uniquely valuable role of affordable, flexible and responsive technical education in an era of rapid change in the workplace and in every facet of a modern economy; and
- inspire pride in technical education among students, graduates and all involved in its delivery.
Baird is the sole sponsor of the WTCS Ambassador program
Baird, an employee-owned, international financial services firm headquartered in Milwaukee, has been the sole sponsor of the WTCS Ambassador program since its inception nearly 25 years ago.
2023 Ambassador Stories
Watch the Ambassadors talk about their inspirational journeys
