Mid-State Technical College has been named runner-up for Transfr’s Trailblazer Power of Partnership Award, recognizing the College’s collaborations to build and equip the Wayne H. Bushman Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA™) Center.
The $23 million AMETA Center fundraising campaign, launched in 2019, united more than 300 business partners, donors and government bodies to make the 48,000-square-foot training facility a reality. The AMETA Center first welcomed students in fall 2024. Today it houses 16 academic programs, multiple apprenticeships and state-of-the-art labs designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in central Wisconsin and beyond.
“This recognition highlights what can be achieved when a college and its communities come together with a shared vision,” said Ryan Kawski, dean of Applied Technology. “The AMETA Center is more than a building—it’s a hub of innovation, opportunity and industry partnership that will benefit students and employers for generations.”
Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik echoed the sentiment. “We are honored by this national recognition, which reflects the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to workforce and economic development,” she said. “The AMETATM Center represents what is possible when we listen to our communities and deliver the training and education they need most.”
Kawski and Mid-State’s Dean of Strategic Marketing & Recruitment Jackie Esselman will accept the award on behalf of the College at Transfr’s XR Futures conference in New York City, Oct. 6–7.
Transfr provides a platform for immersive hands-on simulation training to give trainees real-world experience in the skills they need for well-paying jobs. Its annual Trailblazer Awards celebrate colleges, employers and workforce agencies that are pioneering innovative approaches to career preparation and partnerships.
Learn more about Mid-State’s AMETA Center at mstc.edu/ameta.
