WCTC’s lead Global Business program instructor to receive prestigious NASBITE award

PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Tuesday, March 26, 2019) – Waukesha County Technical College instructor Susan Dragotta has been selected to receive the 2019 Advancing International Trade State Award for Wisconsin from NASBITE International. She will accept the award in April at the NASBITE International Annual Conference in Savannah, Ga.

NASBITE International is the leading authority and industry standard for global business education, trade credentialing, training and practice. This award recognizes the dedication and service of those who are advancing international trade in each state in the United States as well as Canada and Mexico.

Dragotta has been the lead instructor for WCTC’s Global Business associate degree program since 2011, teaching courses in Global Business Fundamentals, Global Trade Finance, Export Compliance, Global Marketing, Global Business Applications and Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Review. She also has taught in the College’s Corporate Training Center.

Outside of WCTC, Dragotta is a member of the Wisconsin District Export Council (DEC), a non-profit agency comprised of experienced exporters and business people who regularly provide support services to exporting companies; she also has served the Wisconsin DEC in the role of treasurer. Additionally, Dragotta is the advisory board president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s World Trade Association, which is the region’s largest and most experienced network of international exporters, importers, suppliers and service providers. She also is the only certified NASBITE CGBP trainer in Wisconsin.

Prior to joining WCTC, Dragotta worked as an export development manager for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., and in the early part of her career, she gained hands-on experience in international trade through sales roles at local exporters.

To receive the NASBITE award is an honor, Dragotta said, noting she’s been involved with the organization since the early 2000s.

"I have been fortunate to attend NASBITE’s annual conferences and I’m always impressed with the expertise of attendees from across the country,” she said. “I am honored to receive their Advancing International Trade Award at this year’s conference."

As an educator, Dragotta is passionate and knowledgeable about global business, and brings real-world examples into the classroom, strengthening students’ understanding, said Kim Ehlert, dean of WCTC’s School of Business.

“It is my extreme pleasure to work with Susan Dragotta as she is highly respected for her comprehensive and practical knowledge of trade compliance, documentation, Incoterms and banking terms, global business marketing and overall management,” Ehlert said. “Without Sue’s leadership, the Global Business program would not be the widely recognized, exemplary program that it is.”