Top SkillsUSA national officer transfers into UW-Platteville's distance engineering program

A key national officer within the SkillsUSA workforce development organization has decided to transfer to UW-Platteville to complete a mechanical engineering degree, underscoring how the university's distance engineering program continues to attract top talent. 

Emma Schwantes, 21, of Watertown, Wisconsin, graduated from Madison College in 2025 with an associate degree in mechanical design technology. A member of SkillsUSA since high school, she was named the organization's national college/postsecondary treasurer and Joint Executive Council vice chair this summer. 

Schwantes wants more. She has her eye on a four-year mechanical engineering degree, and she's been taking general education courses at Madison College post-graduation to prepare to transfer to UW-Platteville through the UW-Platteville ...