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.
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.
Watch the Ambassadors talk about their inspirational journeys
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College State Ambassador Denisse Arjon-Rivera, along with student ambassadors from all 16 Wisconsin Technical Colleges, was honored on November 2, 2020 during a pre-recorded Wisconsin Technical College System Ambassador Recognition.
Abdul Cole is from Sierra Leone, West Africa. Leaving a large and loving family and a noble volunteer role, Cole came to Western in 2020, just months before the global pandemic changed everything. As a testament to his fortitude and ability to rise to the challenge of his completely new surroundings, he was chosen as the 2020 Western Technical College Student Ambassador, an official spokesperson for Western and the Wisconsin Technical College System. Cole is also a Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician program student and is the first in his family to attend college.
