Gateway hold open house at it Elhorn Campus, highlights added healthcare, HVAC labs and programs
Gateway Technical College has expanded its Elkhorn Campus facilities and college programs over the past year, making even more healthcare and trades training accessible to Walworth County students.
On March 6, the college opened the expanded healthcare and HVAC labs and classrooms on the campus to the community to show how the advanced training and technology there helps students to successfully enter their career.
“Walworth County is experiencing steady growth in population and industrial development, and Gateway is pleased to present our expanded and leading-edge facilities at our Elkhorn Campus in support of this growth,” said Gateway Technical College President and CEO Ritu Raju.
“This significant development underscores our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that meets the needs of our students and the demands of our region.”
In particular, healthcare programs that now can be taken in Elkhorn include Nursing, Practical Nursing, Medical Assistant and Nursing Assistant. They are supported by a new, cutting-edge simulated patient lab.
“Based on feedback from our local employers and the direction of our college leadership, we have expanded our healthcare programs to Elkhorn,” said School of Health Dean Micheal Randolph. “In addition to adding state-of-the-art simulation rooms, we also created a new nursing skills classroom, a new nursing assistant classroom and an updated medical assistant classroom.
“This remodel allowed us to enhance our Medical Assistant and Nursing Assistant offerings and also add the space needed for Practical Nursing and Nursing. We now offer these programs as well as support services in Elkhorn.”
The college also created a heating, ventilation and air conditioning lab for programs that just began in Elkhorn in January.
“We know that’s a high-demand career field here in Walworth County,” said Dwayne Windham, associate dean of Gateway’s Manufacturing, Engineering and Information Technology Division. “We feel by expanding our program, combined with the new lab space, this will benefit students and employers.”
Raju said she’s also thankful for the industry and community partners who support the college and help its students succeed.
“We are grateful for the partnerships and community support that make these initiatives possible,” said Raju. “Together, we are building a brighter future for our students and the communities we serve.”
“We are incredibly excited over the growth of this wing,” said Jon Stankevitz, owner and CEO of Golden Years Assisted Living. “The building is great, but, to me, what makes Gateway special is the instructors and students.”
Golden Years serves as a clinical partner for Gateway’s School of Health programs, sits on the college’s healthcare programs advisory committee and is a Youth Apprenticeship partner.
“Gateway Technical College is definitely a center of excellence,” said Jon Dunlap, area director, Comprehensive Energy Solutions, for Commercial HVAC Americas for Trane.
Trane has been a longstanding partner at the college, supporting its HVAC-R program, career and technical training, as well as providing industry certifications and industry insight to help Gateway graduates successfully enter this in-demand industry.
Photos of the event can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC4PJb