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Join us Tuesday, April 15 in Eau Claire to hear from five leaders in regional higher education on how their respective campuses are adding muscle to the economy. From building a trained workforce to conducting research and development projects, and from forging industry partnerships to other forms of collaboration, the regions higher education pillars are engaged in the larger economy. 

Join us at Chippewa Valley Technical College Energy Education Center, 4000 Campus Road, Eau Claire, for networking, lunch and the program. Registration and networking start at 11:30 a.m., buffet lunch at noon and the presentation at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for students and returning veterans, $25 for individual members; $40 for general admission and included for Tech Council corporate members. 

Panelists are President Sunem Beaton-Garcia, Chippewa Valley Technical College; Chancellor John Chenoweth, UW-River Falls; Chancellor Katherine Frank, UW-Stout; Chancellor Jim Schmidt, UW-Eau Claire; and President John Will, Northwood Technical College. 

“Wisconsin is seeing more rural population growth than most other Midwest states, but it can’t be taken for granted the trend will continue,” said Tech Council President Tom Still, who will moderate. “Chippewa, Eau Claire and Dunn counties are closing in on a total population of 220,000; total population within the 10-county region is nearing 525,000. Job training, research and employer partnerships led by higher ed can and do boost the region’s continued vibrancy.” “By engaging with some key higher-ed leaders, we’ll get a strong idea about how they specifically support the economy,” Still added. 

This luncheon is sponsored by Momentum West with support from the Barron County Economic Development Corp.; Chippewa Economic Development Corp.; Dairyland Power Cooperative; Eau Claire Economic Development Corp.; and the St. Croix Economic Development Corp.