Leadership Profile: Jim Nowak, WCTC dean of the School of Applied Technologies

At the start of the 2025-26 academic year, Jim Nowak, a longtime academic leader at Waukesha County Technical College, stepped into the position as dean of the School of Applied Technologies. He has dedicated his career to serving students, bringing both passion and experience to his latest role.

Nowak joined WCTC in 2010 as an academic support instructor and has served in many roles at the College, including coordinator and director of Academic Support and Developmental Education, and associate dean of Math and Science as well as Marketing, Management and Accounting, and since August 2025, dean of the School of Applied Technologies.

Those experiences, he said, have given him valuable insight and the chance to observe WCTC operations from multiple perspectives.

“What drew me to the dean role was the opportunity to have a broader impact – on students, faculty and the industries we serve,” Nowak said. “It’s about aligning programs with workforce needs, supporting innovation and creating pathways that change lives.”

Nowak’s connection to the College goes back even further. He was a graduate of WCTC, earning an associate degree in Marketing before continuing on to Carthage College for a bachelor’s degree and Concordia University for a master’s degree. Additionally, he earned a teaching certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Prior to returning to WCTC, not as a student but as an instructor and leader, Nowak coached boys’ basketball at Greenfield High School, and he served as a teacher and associate principal in Milwaukee Public Schools. Working at his alma mater felt like a natural next step, he said, and being a WCTC alumnus has given him a unique connection with students.

“My experience as a student had a lasting impact on me. WCTC provided real opportunities and a clear path forward, and that stuck with me,” Nowak said, noting it played a part in his decision to work at the College. “Having sat in the same classrooms and faced similar challenges, I understand what students need to succeed.”

As dean, Nowak now has more opportunities to collaborate with members of business and industry, understand their workforce needs and build partnerships. “This connection ensures our programs stay relevant and gives students access to real-work experiences, internships and employment opportunities,” he said.

Looking ahead, Nowak sees technical education continuing to evolve – and rapidly. “It’s no longer the ‘alternative path’ but becoming a first-choice pathway,” he said. “I see more short-term credentials, accelerated pathways and even deeper industry partnerships to ensure programs remain aligned with real-time workforce needs.”