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Real Experience Equals Real Value

Discover Services Run by Students That are Open to the Public

The College-owned business model goes back more than five decades at WCTC. It gives students an opportunity to gain experience at working businesses under the supervision of experienced instructors.

For the public, it gives them lower-cost options for services and the chance to feel like they are helping to train the next generation of skilled workers in their community.

A young woman sits at a low table with three small children. They are all painting on paper using carrots as paintbrushes.Reliable, Affordable Childcare

The Child Development Center (CDC) at WCTC has been providing “a safe space for families to bring children” for about 54 years, according to Lauren Holtz, manager of the CDC.

With 17 staff members, including student employees and full-time teachers, aided by 18 students in the Early Childhood Education program, the CDC is licensed to care for up to 62 children, ages 6 weeks to 8t years old.

The staff-to-child ratios are excellent, the care is top notch and the scheduling is flexible.

“I just received a message from a parent telling us WCTC has become like their family more than they could ever have expected,” Holtz said.

The CDC is not only nationally accredited, it also requires staff to complete 25 hours of continuing education every year – 10 more than the state.

A Taste of the RefinedDiners sit at a table in the WCTC Classic Room

For more than 50 years, WCTC students have served cuisine from around the world to customers on campus.

On most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the fall and spring semesters, the Classic Room serves a three-course lunch menu from noon to 2 p.m. while the Classic Bistro offers a more casual alternative.

“It’s a natural environment for us to emulate what the students will do out in the real world,” said Chef Andy Tenaglia, WCTC instructor and owner of Lagniappe Brasserie in New Berlin. Wis. “There are some things you just can’t replicate during class.”

It’s great experience for the students, but it’s also a great meal at a reasonable price for patrons, which is why Classic Room reservations can be hard to come by.

“We sell out almost every quarter within like an hour and a half for Classic Room reservations,” Tenaglia said. “We want to expand to be able to seat more people.”

The cuisine changes weekly, so be sure to check the menu each week! wctc.edu/classic-room.

Two dental hygienist students in blue scrub coats work bend over working on a patient whose face you cannot seeSpreading Smiles

WCTC’s Waukesha facility hosts the fully equipped 30-seat WCTC Dental Hygiene Clinic.

At the clinic, students provide high-quality, affordable services to patients of all ages, all under the watchful eye of licensed professionals.

Appointments cost just $30, which includes an exam, cleaning and any x-rays needed. Services also include:

  • Blood pressure screenings
  • Oral cancer screenings
  • Full-mouth periodontal assessments and therapy
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Sealants

The clinic space was also utilized by the nonprofit Community Smiles Dental organization this summer, so the program could continue serving its clientele while their permanent space was undergoing renovations.

Keeping it ClassyCosmetology students in a black branded apron shampoos a woman's hair

WCTC’s Style & Class Salon and Spa has proved so popular that the program has doubled in size since it opened in 2015, according to Amy Poshepny, director of the salon and spa.

As word spreads, it’s not just friends and family of students who make up the clientele.

“We've made a big enough footprint in the community that we're getting new people just calling and finding out about us,” Poshepny said.

Haircuts cost only $15 and include shampoo and styling, making it a great option for people on a budget. That value extends to the full range of services offered.

Hair services include coloring, braids, highlights and more. The nail services are always up-to-date on the latest trends. And the spa services include multiple facial options, laser hair removal, body treatments, chemical peels, microneedling and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments.