Southeast Technical offers truck driving certification course for the first time in summer

For the first time ever, Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical will offer its Class "A" CDL Truck Driving certification program in Winona during the summer term. Registration for the course will be available one week earlier than the college's normal May registration period.   

New student orientation and registration will be on Friday, May 9, and classes run from May 19 to July 10, followed by an internship. It is important to apply immediately if you want to enroll for the program! 

The Truck Driving program begins with 8 weeks of classroom and behind-the-wheel training to prepare drivers for any situation they may face when on the road. Students must also register for and complete an 8-week internship as part of the program in order to receive their certificate (for a total of 16 weeks). After successfully completing the program, students obtain a Class A commercial driver's license and are qualified to drive tractor-trailer combination vehicles. 

Class size is limited and students who are considering enrolling should be aware of the timeline. It is important to start the college application process early, because all steps must be completed one full week prior to registration. (An additional registration date will be offered on May 16 if space is still available.)

The application process involves:  

• applying online ($20 application fee)  
• submitting high school and college transcripts 
• taking the placement exam (Accuplacer) 
• applying for financial aid or setting up payment plan.  

In addition, students who are admitted to the truck driving program must obtain a valid Class "A" CDL permit prior to the first day of class.   

Demand is extremely high for skilled truck drivers; in fact, many trucking companies start recruiting qualified students as soon as they are enrolled at Southeast Technical and offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit.  

The Southeast Technical Truck Driving Program's philosophy is described in its motto:  "We have an obligation to ourselves, our students, our community and to other highway users to train the safest, most courteous drivers on the highway today. This is not an obligation we take lightly." 

For more information and to apply, visit www.southeastmn.one/become_a_student or call 877-853-8324. 

Jim Johnson named "College President of the Year" by statewide student association

We are thrilled to announce that Southeast Technical President Jim Johnson has been named the 2013-2014 "College President of the Year" by the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) at their Annual Awards Dinner. The ceremony took place Saturday night (April 12) at their Spring General Assembly in Breezy Point.

The "College President of the Year" honor is given to one college president annually by MSCSA. Johnson was nominated for the award by current and former students from Southeast Technical and was selected by the MSCSA statewide student leadership to receive the honor. 

In one of many letters of recognition submitted to MSCSA in support of Johnson's nomination, past Southeast Technical Winona Student Senate President Jenna Lubinski said that she was nominating President Johnson because, "His open door policy, approachability, and open mindedness have always made the students on these campuses feel like they are a priority and that they have a leader who genuinely cares about their wellbeing and success." 

"This award is very humbling and unexpected. I am honored to accept it on behalf of the faculty, staff and students of Southeast Technical. No president could succeed without their hard work and the positive relationships between them," said Jim Johnson, adding, "I will treasure this honor for the rest of my life." 

In 1981, Jim Johnson joined the staff of Southeast Technical (then known as Winona Technical Institute). He has remained in administration at the college over the last 33 years, growing through the positions of Trade and Industry Coordinator, Adult Extension Director, Associate Director, Vice President/CEO, and his current position of college president since 1995. Last fall, Johnson announced his retirement from the college effective June 30, 2014; he will be succeeded by Dr. Dorothy Duran in July. 

Photo by Chris Dang, Courtesy Minnesota State College Student Association

Southeast Technical DECA chapter shines at MN state conference, headed for nationals in Washington, DC

The Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical chapter of DECA was privileged to participate in the State Career Development Conference (SCDC) on February 25-26, 2014 in Mankato, MN. DECA is an organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, sales, and management.

DECA is open to all Southeast Technical and Winona State University students and provides great opportunities to improve personal growth, network with others participants, and bridge the gap between school and the real world.  

At SCDC, 11 SE Tech DECA students competed successfully in single and team events in a wide variety of categories, taking home honors in:

• First Place, Professional Sales: James Elvidge
• First Place, Sales Manager Meeting: James Elvidge
• Third Place, Sales Academy: Calvin Corey, Steven Blue, Karl Feltes and Michael Servais
• Finalist, Professional Sales: Megan Amherdt
• Finalist, Business Ethics: Megan Amherdt and Lauren Olson
• Finalist, Sports & Entertainment Marketing: Hannah Kock and Michael Fenske
• Finalist, Sports & Entertainment Marketing: Karl Feltes and Michael Servais
• Finalist, Sales Management: Steven Blue
• Qualified for International Competition, Professional Sales: Miranda Anderson
• Outstanding Student Service Award: James Elvidge, Joseph Loken

"Everyone excelled tremendously, both personally and competitively," said James Elvidge, president of the Southeast DECA chapter. "We had a great time and all qualified to move on to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) from April 22-27 in Washington, D.C. We're extremely excited to represent Southeast Technical and the city of Winona."

In preparation for the trip to nationals, the DECA chapter has been getting more involved in the community and holding events to fundraise. On April 6, they volunteered at the Fools Five race in Lewistown. 

On Tuesday, April 15, they will be holding a fundraising event at Culver's in Winona from 5pm to 8 pm. 

The DECA chapter expressed its thanks to the community, the college, and Terry Greene, the chapter's advisor, for providing the opportunity to really "Make It Count!" and also recognized James Elvidge, who was elected to serve as the new DECA State President.

Pictured above (L – R): Michael Fenske, Megan Amherdt, Calvin Corey, Instructor Terry Greene, Steven Blue, Michael Servais, Karl Feltes, Joe Loken, Hannah Kock, James Elvidge, Lauren Olson, Miranda Anderson