For those of us new to the club, Melissa mentioned her history with the RFRC. Yearsl ago she shared her accredited skills as an etiquette instructor to teach the club some manners (
). Melissa also reminded us that she is a STRENGTHS coach, which is a program that – as it sounds – allows participants to identify their strengths. Click READ MORE to read the rest of the summary and to read about Melissa Wilson.
). Melissa also reminded us that she is a STRENGTHS coach, which is a program that – as it sounds – allows participants to identify their strengths. Click READ MORE to read the rest of the summary and to read about Melissa Wilson.CVTC has grown from 1 facility in Eau Claire in 1912 to 7 campuses scattered among 11 counties. Recently, Eau Claire added a “simulation house” funded by a donation. The structure can be configured to simulate a business, residence, or other space for training. The River Falls campus has 515 full and part-time employees. Melissa highlighted a a student from River Falls who is a CVTC student ambassador.
CVTC is much different from a 4-year college with 110+ programs, including specialties such as a university transfer liberal arts program to prepare student to complete 4 years at UW or another 4-year school.
Melissa highlighted some outcomes: 95% of graduates are employed, 84% within WI. Almost 30,000 college credits have been awarded. The average starting salary is almost $60,000. Dual enrollment at CVTC serves 5790 high school students, saving about $4 million in college credit tuition, a program that has seen a big participation jump in 9 years. And about 80% of high school students in the dual credit program choose CVTC
The River Falls campus consiste of 2 buildings within walking distance. Programs include residential construction, criminal justice, business management, welding, and others.
Melissa also briefly mentioned her business development responsibilities. She coordinates CVTC’s programs to offer customized training, continuing education, technical assistance, and apprenticeships. The school has subject matter experts who can go to businesses to train on specific technologies and applications.
About the Speaker: Melissa Wilson is a seasoned higher education professional with over 30 years of experience in leadership, business development, and student success. She currently serves as the Business Development Manager and Campus Administrator at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). Throughout her career, Melissa has also served as adjunct faculty for the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, University of Wisconsin–River Falls, and Lakeland College, teaching courses that bridge academic learning with real-world application.
Melissa is a Certified STRENGTHS Coach and holds additional certifications in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), etiquette, Strategic Planning, and Meeting Facilitation. Melissa lives in River Falls with her husband Justin and has two children pursuing college at the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, MN. She also has a very cute dog named Maura who keeps her busy as a new empty nester.