About
About Southwest Tech
A public technical college in Fennimore, Wisconsin, improving lives through excellence in learning since 1967. In 2025 Southwest Tech received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's top recognition for community colleges.
Our story
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College was founded July 1, 1967, and started teaching that fall with Farm Training, its first program. A 1968-69 building program raised the college's first buildings in Fennimore, near the geographic center of the district. In 2008, district voters approved a $31.9 million capital referendum that added the Health/Science Center, an Ag/Auto Building, the Child Care Center, and the Public Safety Complex, and renewed the rest of campus.
The Health Science Center, part of the 2008 campus expansion.
Where we serve
The Southwest Tech district covers 3,800 square miles of southwest Wisconsin, roughly 80 miles east to west and 100 miles north to south. It includes most of Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland counties and parts of Dane, Green, Sauk, and Vernon counties, with thirty public K-12 school districts feeding into the college.
Southwest Tech's district, from the Mississippi River to Dodgeville.
Southwest Tech by the numbers
- 7,679 Students served districtwide
- 1,354 Full-time equivalent students
- 9 Counties served
- 30 Partner K-12 school districts
- 15 Career clusters
- 68 Programs offered
Mission and vision
Vision
"Southwest Tech will be a preferred provider of education, source of talent, and place of employment in the region. We at the College change lives by providing opportunities for success."
Mission
"Southwest Tech provides education and training opportunities responsive to students, employers, and communities."
College purposes
- Apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare students for family-sustaining jobs.
- Customized training, retraining, and technical assistance to businesses and other organizations.
- Collaboration with K-12 schools so students can explore college and career options and prepare for what comes after.
- Career pathways and transfer opportunities so graduates can keep going.
- Continuing education that builds the skills of district workers and residents.
- Adult Basic Education, GED/HSED, and bridge programs that help people prepare for work, further education, or career advancement.
College values
- Inclusivity. A welcoming college community that respects and defends the dignity of everyone in it, guided by the Charger Respect Pledge.
- Learning. High-quality, affordable education that builds the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students need to succeed.
- Integrity. Honesty, professionalism, and clear communication in how the College works together.
- Accountability. Responsibility for the academic and fiscal goals the District Board sets.
- Continuous Improvement. A rural, entrepreneurial drive to keep improving programs, services, and outcomes for students.
Leadership
Dr. Jeremy Pickard
President
New Leader, Shared Mission: Dr. Jeremy Pickard Begins Southwest Tech PresidencySouthwest Tech's faculty are industry experts teaching hands-on, work-based programs, and its staff provide the personal, student-centered service the College's own strategic directions (Access, Completion, and Post-College Success) are built around.
District Board
Southwest Tech is governed by a nine-member District Board, elected by the presidents of the thirty K-12 school boards that make up the Southwest Tech district. Board Chair Chris J. Prange and Board Secretary Kent Enright are among the College's current board members. Board meetings are open to the public; the events calendar carries the next one.