WCTC celebrates official launch of the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA)

Use with HERA

Waukesha County Technical College, along with 17 other higher education institutions throughout Southeastern Wisconsin – and several partner organizations -- celebrated the official launch of the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA) Oct. 15 at We Energies headquarters in downtown Milwaukee.

HERA, first organized in 2018, represents more than 150,000 students across southeastern Wisconsin who are key to driving the economy. It is dedicated to closing the achievement gap and educating students of today to become an innovative and nimble workforce that meets the needs of the region’s industries tomorrow. HERA was founded with the notion that this challenge is too large for any one college or university to solve alone, but together the impact can be stronger.

“WCTC has always found strength in collaboration and is proud to be a founding member of the Higher Education Regional Alliance,” said Kaylen Betzig, president of WCTC. “Thanks to colleges and universities in the Milwaukee 7 region along with community partners, we can work together toward common educational goals that support student outcomes and provide a skilled pipeline of workers vital for a thriving economy.”

The launch event welcomed business, education and community leaders from the M7 region and beyond to discuss the alliance’s three primary goals of increasing college completion rates, aligning and evolving programs to better meet the needs of a changing economy, and expanding talent bridges -- connecting businesses with workers.

As part of these objectives, HERA is hoping to move Wisconsin to a postsecondary attainment rate of 60 percent by 2027, for those ages 25-64, meaning adults earn a credential (degree, diploma, certificate or apprenticeship) beyond high school. This attainment rate is currently around 48 percent statewide; it is an indicator of greater participation in the labor force and increased earnings.

To learn more about HERA, visit www.herawisconsin.org.

Milwaukee 7 Region (counties) --  Waukesha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Walworth, Washington, Racine and Kenosha, 

HERA Colleges/Universities -- Waukesha County Technical College • Milwaukee Area Technical College • Gateway Technical College • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater • University of Wisconsin-Parkside • Alverno College • Bryant and Stratton College • Cardinal Stritch University • Carroll University • Concordia University • Carthage College • Herzing University • Marquette University • Milwaukee School of Engineering • Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design • Mount Mary University • Wisconsin Lutheran College