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Melissa Henderson, CVTC Radiography Instructor and 2006 alumna of the College, said her experience as a student set her on a path that shaped both her career and her life.

"When I graduated, I had the skills necessary to pursue a career with job stability, job security, and higher wages that I knew I wanted."

After graduating, Henderson spent nearly a decade working in the field for several hospitals doing X-ray, CT and mammography. In 2011, Henderson returned to CVTC as an instructor, an opportunity she described as both meaningful and full circle.

"It was life-changing to have the opportunity to come and start teaching,” she said. “I worked with many of my former instructors, and it was just a really amazing opportunity. Being an instructor has absolutely allowed me to pay it forward by helping others realize their dreams."

Henderson emphasized the broader impact the College has beyond the classroom.

"The work we do at CVTC is so important because we are touching every aspect of our community," she said. "CVTC not only provides opportunities for individuals, but it also impacts their families, and it impacts our community at large.

"To be part of an organization that really impacts our community is so important to me," Henderson said. "I feel so honored and grateful to be here and to be recognized for my work."

Like many students at CVTC, Stinnett labels herself "non-traditional." She did not go to college right after graduating from high school.

"I got married, and I had a child. I did all of those things, and I had a really good job,” she said. "But something went off in my brain that said, 'You need something else. You need something reliable. You need more than just going to work every day.'"

She began attending CVTC in 2009 in the Health Information Management Technology program and was inspired by the program and the instructors. She graduated in 2013 and worked while pursuing her bachelor's degree.

A year later, she had another degree under her belt and accepted a position with Zia ACO, a company that helps small, independent clinics operationalize value-based care initiatives. Quickly, she was promoted to director.

Stinnett is an advocate for CVTC and its students. She has been a member of the HIMT advisory committee since she was a student. She also has mentored students and continues to be a resource for those going through the program at CVTC.

"It has just been incredible. CVTC is setting the state for the next generation of students to join the workforce," she said. "The program served me so well. It has been such a pivotal piece of my career and why I'm the person I am today."

Kelly Bakken was interested in law enforcement before she graduated from Alma High School. She had family members in emergency services and felt compelled to explore the career, which brought her to CVTC.

The now-Altoona Police Chief completed the two-year Criminal Justice program in 1998 and, right after graduation, entered the law enforcement academy.

"Looking back on it, it was a fantastic experience," Bakken said. "The instructors were super friendly. A lot of people helped me build my career, but really looking back on it, it was the foundation that CVTC gave me that helped me build a solid foundation for what has been a long career in law enforcement."

In her nearly 26 years working in the law enforcement field, she has worked in corrections, served as a patrol officer, a detective, captain of patrol and investigations, spent time working in police and sheriff's departments, and she also worked as chief of police for Black River Falls.

"The best part about being chief is getting to mold those new officers to be the best they can be as leaders in our community," she said. "It's what we do as a team here. It's a team effort, and I have a great team."

Bakken gives back to CVTC by sitting on the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and the Foundation Board. She is proud of that work.

"It's really about student success - making sure that the students have the tools to succeed, and that the College has the ability to provide that," Bakken said. "CVTC is providing a service to our community."

Melvin, a 2011 Mechatronics Technician alumnus, grew up Amish, stepped out of that culture and took his chances on CVTC.

He began his collegiate career 12 years ago. He had his sights set on industrial mechanics. Melvin attended classes full-time and worked nights to make it work.

He said: "For me, it was going through that programming and gaining that confidence by attending classes. I didn't realize how much confidence I was getting out of it."

Melvin was hired as a mechanic with Nestle Health Science in 2012. He climbed the ladder to mechanical equipment senior specialist working with the Nestle manufacturer based in Italy, although he also appreciates being able to work with local machine shops, too.

He supports CVTC by serving on the mechatronics and automation engineering advisory committees.

Bruce Trachsel never subscribed to the notion that helping new electricians in the field would take work away from him. Instead, he has always been heavily involved in mentoring people interested in electrical work. That's one of the reasons Trachsel, 62, of Fall Creek, who graduated in 1984 from the CVTC Electrical Apprenticeship program, was chosen as the college's 2022 Distinguished Alumni.

Bruce, who works at B&B Electric, Inc., was a foreman on many large electrical projects including Oakwood Mall, HTI and Target. Through his dedication to the career and hard work, he was able to become an owner at B&B Electric in 2006. Trachsel praises CVTC for having the most up-to-date technology, offering night classes, hiring stellar instructors, and "putting young people in the right spots" for hands-on learning.

"This has been a very fulfilling career," Trachsel said. "If I had to pick a career again, I'd do all over. I like to influence the students at CVTC so I can give back what I've learned."

Bruce is also involved in the community in a variety of ways - donating time and charitable contributions to the Boys and Girls Club, animal shelters, and Chippewa Valley Veterans Park in Altoona.