CVTC alumna overcomes setbacks to realize her dreams
By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College When Jessica Simon graduated from high school in 2007, she wasn’t sure where her path would lead. Growing up in a small town in upstate New York, she took the expected next step and enrolled at a university alongside her twin brother. But what looked right on paper didn’t feel right in practice. Academic pressure, mental health challenges, and financial strain made it difficult to pursue that path, she said. After switching majors, Simon
UW-Stout students discover the world of Shakespeare in study abroad experience
Students share the majesty of English Theater in a photo essay Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 5, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. Quick! How many Shakespeare plays can you name off the top of your head? Can you name all 38 of them? Probably not. And hey, that’s OK. (As long as you didn’t miss “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” and that Scottish play. Shhh… Don’t say its name.) For two weeks in January, 13 University of Wisconsin-Stout students step into the world of the Bard, experiencing city
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Chippewa Valley Healthy Water Summit
Chippewa Valley Healthy Water Summit to Educate Community on Local Water QualityEau Claire, WI – March 20, 2026 – The UW–Madison Division of Extension is hosting the Chippewa Valley Healthy Water Summit, a one‑day educational event designed to increase water quality awareness by providing local information that enables community members to make informed decisions.The summit will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event will take place
UW-Stout professor brings aspects of grandfather’s experience in Battle of the Bulge ‘back to life’
Oss uses AI tools to decipher World War II journal, recreate portraits, landscapes Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 28, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – As an instructor of documentary filmmaking at University of Wisconsin-Stout, Assistant Professor Keif Oss’s professional interests in artificial intelligence (AI) filmmaking center on tools that can meaningfully inform and streamline the creative process. Oss, program director of video production, is currently using AI to explore a conceptual
RCU FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The RCU Foundation (Foundation) has named Jennifer McHugh Executive Director. In her new role, McHugh will serve as the Foundation’s chief executive, responsible for strategy, grantmaking, programming, governance, and operations. She reports to the RCU Foundation Board of Directors and will serve as the Board’s primary liaison. “The Foundation Board is confident that Jennifer’s leadership will help us continue to build strong, trusted relationships with our donors, grant
WFU - Farm and Rural Lobby Day
Over eighty family farmers and rural advocates gathered in Madison on January 14 for Wisconsin Farmers Union's annual Farm & Rural Lobby Day. Participants advocated for policy priorities set by the grassroots membership at the family farm organization’s state convention in Wisconsin Dells in December 2025. They spoke with legislators on issues related to dairy, agricultural concentration and rural development, immigration, healthcare, and conservation.Members shared their support for a Beginning Farmer
Big Brothers Big Sisters, CVTC partner on $239K grant
By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin is launching a new partnership with Chippewa Valley Technical College, supported by a $239,000 grant, aimed at enhancing youth mental health while introducing young people to postsecondary education opportunities. Funding was awarded through the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health’s Wisconsin Partnership Program and will support a three-year initiative called Learning and
On the vanguard: An artificial intelligence filmmaking course emerges at UW-Stout
AI-Assisted Film and Video Production class to open summer 2026 Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 12, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – A new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Film and Video Production course will launch at University of Wisconsin-Stout in summer 2026. The course, possibly a first-of-its-kind in the Universities of Wisconsin, was developed by a video production faculty trio – Keif Oss, Jonny Wheeler and Co O’Neill. Students in the course will produce a short narrative film, using
Career EXCELerate
During Gov. Evers visit, Goodwill North Central Wisconsin announces workforce training program “Career EXCELerate” will expandMENASHA — During a visit with Wisconsin state Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin Representative Lee Snodgrass, and City of Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond, Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) announced the continuation and expansion of their newest innovative workforce development program, Career EXCELerate Wisconsin. The program provides training to those with barriers to employment,
Doctoral student’s AI-enhanced artwork featured on chancellor’s seasonal greeting card
Like her artwork, educator’s dissertation explores using AI to supplement student creativity Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 8, 2026 Menomonie, Wis. – For more than 125 years, University of Wisconsin-Stout’s stately Bowman Hall and its distinctive clock tower have served as landmarks for the campus and the community. This holiday season, they provided artistic inspiration for a doctoral student who designed an annual greeting card sent by UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank to hundreds of
