Waukesha County Technical College breaks ground for second-story expansion of Applied AI Lab

“It’s amazing how [WCTC] continues to morph the needs of the community around us. Look at where we were in the conversation with AI and look at what it is today. You (WCTC) are ahead of your time in making the right investment in our community.” -- Joel Quadracci, representing the Windhover Foundation

Waukesha County Technical College officially broke ground Tuesday on a major 12,200 square-foot second-floor addition to its Applied AI Lab, marking a significant milestone for the region’s technology and artificial intelligence landscape.

The ceremony brought together more than 80 attendees, including donors, College officials, local legislators, community members and others just days ahead of the start of construction.

The College originally opened the lab in fall 2024, and it quickly became a key driver of regional economic growth, helping businesses implement practical artificial intelligence solutions. The new expansion is designed to seamlessly integrate student learning with industry activities and will feature state-of-the-art tech classrooms, collaborative workspaces, a “pitch pit” – or entrepreneurial presentation space -- and more. Around 720 square feet will also be added to the main floor for stairwells and an elevator. 

Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc. is leading the project's design with Corporate Contractors, Inc. handling construction as the general contractor. Once construction wraps in spring 2027, all WCTC’s AI, data and information technology programs will relocate to the newly expanded facility.

At Tuesday’s ceremony, WCTC President and CEO Rich Barnhouse, Ph.D., thanked the many donors for their generosity and support in making the second-floor expansion a reality, along with the WCTC Foundation for championing and leading the project’s fundraising effort.

“Construction begins later this month, and we intend for WCTC and Waukesha to be the hub in AI,” Barnhouse said. “We can’t wait to see what students, grads, researchers and businesses do next.”

The fundraising campaign began nearly two years ago with a $1 million lead gift from the Harry V. Quadracci family’s Windhover Foundation. Additional financial support followed from individual donors, along with business, community and industry partners -- including major gifts for lab spaces from Inpro, Eaton, Waukesha State Bank, Petcoff Foundation, Trace-A-Matic, We Energies and WCTC’s Student Leadership Council. In fall 2025, the PPC Foundation, the philanthropic vehicle for the PieperPower family of companies, gave a substantial $2 million gift toward the expansion, which includes naming rights.

Business leaders spoke at the event, emphasizing the project’s impact on students, the community and the economy.

Mike Tillman, president and COO of MP Systems Inc., and president of the PPC Foundation, said the PPC Foundation’s investment in WCTC’s Applied AI Lab represents the organization’s commitment to people first, as well as helping to build talent and advancing technology. 

Joel Quadracci, representing the Windhover Foundation, noted how far the College has come with artificial intelligence in just a few years, and how WCTC remains nimble in changing to meet stakeholders’ needs.

“It’s amazing how [WCTC] continues to morph the needs of the community around us,” Quadracci said. “Look at where we were in the conversation with AI and look at what it is today. You (WCTC) are ahead of your time in making the right investment in our community.”