For the City Times

Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) has hired nine new employees: Stephanie Bender, Lea Ellis, Nikki Garrity, Jennifer Gear, Kevin Hamm, Wendy Hartman, Jackie Shea, Lori Weigel, and Emily Whitcomb.

Bender, Wisconsin Rapids, is a student success counselor at the Stevens Point and Marshfield campuses. She provides individual and group academic advising and counseling to transition prospective students into the college and retain enrolled students by addressing academic, career, and personal/social factors. Bender most recently worked with Wood County Human Services as the pathway coordinator, and prior to that she held the position of financial employment planner. Bender earned a bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a master’s degree in Counseling from Lakeland College.

Ellis, Marshfield, is the campus office assistant at Marshfield Campus. She serves as the first point of contact and source of general information on college services for students and employees while providing administrative support to assigned programs and employees. Ellis most recently worked with Associated Bank as a universal banker and a teller. In these roles, she assisted customers with various banking needs and transactions, helped with various audit procedures and provided detailed answers to customer questions. Prior to that she worked with Younkers as a clinique beauty advisor.  Ellis earned an associate degree in Business Management from Mid-State Technical College.

Garrity, Stevens Point, is the content marketing specialist. She ensures a consistent brand message in college publications, advertising, promotional collateral, social media, and other marketing communications through written content, testimonials, and campaign development. Most recently, she worked with Renaissance Learning as the public relations manager, marketing, as well as positions of senior writer and editor, proposal development. Prior to that she was employed with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as a development skills specialist in the School of Education and a lecturer in the English Department. Garrity earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California and a master’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Gear, Stevens Point, is the adult outreach coordinator. She is responsible for leading and coordinating the college outreach services and campus tour program for prospective adult students applying for admission to the college. Gear most recently worked with the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development as an Employment & Training Specialist. In this position, she was responsible for assessing client’s needs and connecting customers to the appropriate partner agency or community resource to aide them in overcoming various personal, employment, and educational related barriers. Prior to that, she was employed with ABR Employment Services and Noel Learning Center. Gear earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Yuba College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Lakeland College.

Hamm, Wisconsin Rapids, is the SCCM administrator. He manages and supports Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager to ensure Mid-State network computers are secure and meet the needs of employees and students. Most recently, he worked with the University of Wisconsin-Stout as the SCCM administrator. Prior to that he was employed with Chippewa Valley Technical College as a software packager and help desk support specialist. He also previously worked with HSG as a contents pricer and XMI Corporation in an office administrative support position. Hamm earned an associate degree in IT Programmer/Analyst from Chippewa Valley Technical College and a bachelor’s degree in Information and Communication Technologies from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Hartman, Hortonville, is an Instructional Technology Coordinator. She is responsible for integrating and promoting new and emerging instructional technologies and serves as an instructional technology resource for employees and students at all college locations. She most recently worked with the School District of Shiocton as an instructional technology & media director. In this position, she was responsible for leading and managing the implementation of mobile learning devices in grades PK-12 and the district technology help desk, preparing and delivering staff development sessions, collaborating with teachers to integrate technology and mobile learning into content-area curriculum and providing technology and mobile learning expertise to staff and students. Prior to that, she worked with the School District of Manawa, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church and School, and Xavier High School. Hartman earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Shea, Wisconsin Rapids, is the high school outreach coordinator. In this position, she is responsible for leading and coordinating the college outreach services and campus tour program for prospective high school students applying for admission to the college. Shea most recently worked with Eastbay/Footlocker.com as a product manager. In this position, she was responsible for working as a part of an interdisciplinary team and acting as a product’s key stakeholder by planning and prioritizing resources to achieve the product vision. Prior to that, she was employed with Mid-State Technical College, Renaissance Learning, and Element Mobile. Shea earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Carroll University.

Weigel, Marshfield, is the associate dean, Service and Heath Division at Marshfield Campus. She is responsible for representing the college and program-specific careers in the community, and will have management responsibility for development, coordination, and supervision of various educational activities related to assigned programs throughout the college district. Weigel most recently worked with the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation as a manager and center research administrator. In this position, she was responsible for developing and administering center and grant budgets, coordinating and administering grant and contract submissions and development, supervision and professional development of usability analysts, administrative oversight of research information systems, and development and oversight of a compliance monitoring plan. Prior to that, she held the positions of interim associate director, administrator, clinical research center and contract and finance specialist with the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation. Weigel earned an associate degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Mid-State Technical College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing and master’s degree in Business Administration from Lakeland College.

Whitcomb, Wausau, is the learning commons assistant at Wisconsin Rapids Campus. She provides administrative support to and customer service within assigned division and programs. She most recently worked with Northcentral Technical College as an academic resource center specialist. In this position, she was responsible for hiring and scheduling tutors, working to promote the Academic Resource Center and greeting and assisting students. Prior to that she was employed with Westphal Staffing, Inc. Whitcomb earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

For more information please call 715-422-5326.