Gateway Technical College's President Elected an Officer in Educators' Group

By Chris Barncard
Kenosha News

Gateway Technical College's top administrator has been elected as an officer of a prominent organization for educators.
In July, Bryan Albrecht, Gateway president, will begin a yearlong term as president-elect of the Association for Career and Technical Education, the 28,000-member national professional organization for career and technical teachers, administrators, researchers and guidance counselors.

"It is an honor to be selected to represent our nation's career and technical professionals," Albrecht said. "As our workforce changes, so must our educational systems. The Association provides a forum for the integration of education and industry through professional leadership."

Albrecht already serves on the association's board of directors and executive committee, and as chairman of its Career and Technical Education Foundation. His year as president-elect will be followed by a year as president and a year as past president.

Albrecht said the 80-year-old association lobbies on behalf of technical education programs on issues like federal funding for Carl Perkins grants - about $1.4 billion spent annually on updating courses and technology - and provides networking and professional development opportunities for members.

"My job will be to set the vision for the organization, to ensure that career and technical education remains a viable part of our educational system," Albrecht said.

Part of that vision is pushing technical education beyond college settings like Gateway.

"It's important to establish a strong vision for student support at every level to help build alignment and seamless opportunities for the students who will take up important roles in our economy," Albrecht said.
Gateway already has some programs that Association members can look to, he said.

"We have some excellent models that others can learn from. LakeView Technology Academy is a great example of the way this can work," Albrecht said. "We're happy to show those off a little and bring some of that national notoriety home to Gateway.

Albrecht became president of Gateway in January 2006, after serving as director of the college's Advanced Technology Centers. Prior to coming to Gateway Albrecht worked in career and technical education-related positions at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. He got his start in technical education as an instructor.