From College to Career
The Power of Transfer Models Streamline Student Success and Expand Opportunity
11/21/2024
College Leadership Soaring Into the Future
Message from Dr. Kristen Raney, President
It is with true excitement that I serve in the role of president at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College – the first female and eighth NWTC president. I am deeply honored to serve this institution and join a community committed to academic excellence, technological innovation, and collaborative learning.
NWTC is at the forefront of career-focused education and plays a crucial role in the vitality of our community. With a history that spans more than a century, NWTC is a vital community partner, and we are continuously striving to ensure our education and training meets our region’s needs.
As part of the Wisconsin Technical College System, I work alongside the District Board of Trustees and the President's Cabinet to lead the College, guided by NWTC's mission, values, and strategic priorities. Together, we can continue providing cutting-edge, lifelong learning that transforms the lives of students and strengthens our community.
More About Dr. Raney
Dr. Kristen Raney has advanced student success and equity in technical and community colleges for more than 20 years. She previously served as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC), in Davenport, IA, where she led the academic division and institutional accreditation for the multi-college district.
Dr. Raney has significant experience in both academic and student affairs. She previously worked at Saint Paul College in St. Paul, MN, where she served as Dean of Students and Interim Vice President of Student Affairs before becoming the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Highlights of her work include leading a multi-year effort to redesign assessment of student learning and program review processes; establishing a department of faculty development and innovation; implementing a guided pathway advising model; and strengthening shared governance practices.
Her career began as a part-time instructional assistant at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Eau Claire, WI. She held a range of positions in her 12 years at CVTC, from faculty to Dean of Academic Development and Services. As Dean, Dr. Raney implemented new models of integrated academic support, introduced culturally responsive teaching practices, established a new model for adult basic education, and expanded support and outreach services across the CVTC district.
Dr. Raney is widely recognized as a visionary leader who approaches her work with transparency, integrity, and empathy. Dr. Raney has been a Peer Reviewer with the Higher Learning Commission since 2019. She participated in the Aspen Fellowship for the Rising Future Presidents institute in 2021-2022.
President's Cabinet
Dr. Kathryn Rogalski
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development
Dr. Rogalski is responsible for NWTC’s approximately 200 degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs, plus corporate training and economic development. She came to NWTC with over 18 years of experience supporting student success at community colleges, most recently as the Dean of the Business and Social Sciences at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. Her areas of achievement and expertise include leadership and management, curriculum development, and fostering collaboration with external partners, including K-12 systems, universities and business partners.
Dr. Rogalski has presented at local and national conferences on online student success, entrepreneurship and non-verbal communication.
Dr. Laura King
Vice President of Strategy and Innovation
Dr. Laura King is responsible for institutional research, planning, accreditation, marketing, and strategic communication at NWTC. King is passionate about the transformative power of education. As a champion for student success, she advocates for data-informed approaches to decision making and strategy development.
Prior to joining NWTC, Dr. King served as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she led a team focused on strategic enrollment, expanding access to data, and supporting student engagement and success.
Dr. King has been the recipient of grants, recognized for her leadership, and has presented at conferences and workshops on student success, strategic enrollment, co-curricular assessment, and crisis management.
Dr. Jennifer Flatt
Vice President of Student Affairs
Dr. Flatt oversees enrollment, recruitment & admissions, student development, student support & success, special projects, and regional learning. Joining the College in 2019, she previously served as NWTC's Dean of Learning Effectiveness and Early College as well as Dean of the Marinette Campus. Today, she leads NWTC's Dream Core team and is a member of the President's Cabinet.
Dr. Flatt is an educational leader with over 22 years of experience in teaching and higher education administration. She is a published author and has presented at various conferences nationwide.
Adam Pfost, M.P.A.
Vice President of Finance and Administration
Pfost currently serves as Vice President of Finance and Administration, NWTC's Chief Financial Officer, providing strategic leadership, oversight, and stewardship of the College's financial and operational resources.
Before joining NWTC, Pfost served as CFO for the University of Utah's College of Fine Arts, overseeing facilities, College safety, strategic planning, and human resources. He also had responsibility for the sustainable operation of four professional arts organizations, a performance venue, and an NIH-funded research center.
Pfost previously lived in Madison for 15 years, working at UW Health and Epic Systems, the Universities of Wisconsin Budget and Planning Office, and the Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development for the City of Madison.
Dr. Sara Lam
Vice President of DEI and Talent & Culture
In her executive leadership role, Dr. Lam leads efforts to strengthen NWTC as a culturally sustaining college where all students feel they belong, achieve success, and are empowered to take action for positive change, with specific attention to students from marginalized groups. In addition, she oversees employee benefits, compensation, professional development, and talent management.
Prior to joining the College, Dr. Lam was an instrumental part of the DEI efforts of University of Minnesota Morris and its community, where she held various roles within teaching, research, and service since 2015. She is a co-founder of the Rural China Education Foundation, a published author, and holds national accolades for her work around educational equality.
Meridith Jaeger, M.S.
Executive Director of the Foundation and Grants
In this Cabinet role, Jaeger acts as the Chief Advancement Officer for the College, guiding NWTC's Educational Foundation Board and staff in fundraising, donor relations, and alumni engagement.
Jaeger has been with NWTC since 2018, serving previously as the Dean for Corporate Training and Economic Development. She has over 25 years of industry experience, holding numerous leadership roles in higher education and external organizations. She is an active leader within the community as a member of the Greater Green Bay Chamber Economic Development Executive Board, the Bay Area Workforce Development Board of Directors, National Maritime Workforce Alliance, and the Water Cities Soccer Club Board of Directors.
Extended Cabinet
Scott Anderson
Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development
Anderson is responsible for developing educational pathways with K-12 and university partners, enhancing teaching and learning culture, and advancing the use of cutting-edge technologies. Anderson brings over 27 years of experience in higher education and community organizational leadership, focusing on strategic development and expansion of high quality educational programming. As the previous Dean of Health Sciences and Education at NWTC, he led some of the most innovative training programs within the Wisconsin Technical College System. Anderson also worked collaboratively with Hospital Sisters Health Systems and the NEW Community Clinic to launch the NEW Community Dental Clinic on the NWTC Green Bay campus, receiving recognition from the Wisconsin Hospital Association as the Global Vision Community Partnership Award winner in 2014.
John Grant
Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Title IX Coordinator
In his role, Grant is responsible for enhancing and assuring strategic alignment for student support services; retention and recruitment; guided pathways; and large-scale initiatives like Title IX, College Assessment, Response and Education team, and more. During his 22 years with NWTC, Grant has played a pivotal role in enriching the student experience. As the former Dean of Student Development, he led advising, counseling, disability, veteran, and career services. Grant currently serves as a part-time, holistic student support coach for Achieving the Dream and is a member of NWTC’s Association of Title IX Administrators and Association for Student Conduct Administration. Grant developed the original advising model at NWTC and has overseen nationally recognized early alert and coaching approaches to student success.
Erica Plaza
Director of Marketing, Communications & Legislative Advocacy
Erica Plaza has over 20 years working in marketing roles, most recently as the driving force behind the brand and marketing strategies at NWTC. During her 15-year tenure as Director of Marketing, Communication, and Legislative Advocacy at NWTC, Plaza has empowered her team to embrace and implement innovative marketing strategies including a complete relaunch of the NWTC brand, implementing a customer relationship management system, leading national media stories, and creating the strategic vision for team growth. Plaza has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Marketing from St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree in Management with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Leadership Stories
Dr. Laura King joins NWTC as new vice president of Strategy and Innovation
Addition to President’s Cabinet aims to enhance student success and foster innovation across the college
10/30/2024
NWTC Welcomes New Associate Vice Presidents
New appointments to the president’s extended cabinet drive innovation and growth across key areas of the college
8/26/2024
NWTC Welcomes Vice President of Finance and Administration
Former University of Utah Executive joins NWTC to lead financial strategy and operations
8/19/2024
The Aspen Institute Names NWTC as a Finalist for $1 Million 2025 Aspen Prize
Signature Recognition Celebrates 10 High-Achieving Community Colleges from Across the Country
6/11/2024