Education & Business Partnership

The mission of the chamber’s Education & Business Partnership is “to help promote and support business and education connections by organizing events to learn, share and create an awareness and appreciation of what the Marinette-Menominee community offers.”

The group meets at noon on the second Tuesday of each month. While many meetings take place at the chamber, others are held at area schools or businesses.

Lloyd Cook of Farmers and Merchants Bank & Trust is the group’s chairman. Lloyd himself is an educator, as he teaches accounting and computer applications at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

The following programs are sponsored by the Education & Business Partnership:

Teacher Leadership Academy is a new project that brings teachers into local businesses and industries to job shadow managers and workers. Each participating teacher will have six, three-hour job shadow opportunities. Once the job shadowing is completed, all participants will meet to share experiences and perspectives. Then, teachers will develop classroom projects that relate to one of the industries they've studied. Their business and industry mentors will then be invited into the classroom to view or participate in the projects. Teacher Leadership Academy is aimed at giving teachers first-hand experience to the wealth of local businesses and industries.

Mini Business World is an annual business simulation game for high school juniors and seniors.  The two-day program, held at UW-Marinette and made possible by a partnership with Karl Schmidt Unisia, gives students a taste of what it’s like to run a large business. Students learn about financing, accountability, production schedules and other challenges.  Business ethics and environmental stewardship are emphasized. Each year, the program serves 30-36 students.

Community Leadership Academy is an eight-month program that trains business people, educators, organization managers and government works to take leadership roles in the community. Participants learn about local issues in the areas of economic and community development, health care, education, tourism and recreation, government and the environment. Classes are held at different locations each month; tours are included. The entire program is made possible through donations from area businesses.

Life Skills Expo is a one-day game of life for 8th graders, held at UW-Marinette in March. The “game” gives kids a sneak preview of life’s challenges: Finding a job, buying a car and home, starting a family. For most participants, it’s an eye-opening experience. Area businesses – realtors, insurance agents, grocers, car dealers and others – participate in the effort, helping kids learn.

Career Opportunities Expo is a half-day event held at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College that introduces students to careers, career ladders and community role models. It focuses on high-school sophomores who then have time to plan and prepare for the next career step.

The New Educator Breakfast is a September event that welcomes new teachers and administrators to the area and introduces them to the community. All area schools, including post-secondary schools, participate in this networking event.

School Board Appreciation is a mid-winter thank-you to school board members and administrators who give up their time to serve area families. The effort typically involves a reception or other special treats delivered to the school board meeting by committee volunteers.

Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarships are given in May to a high school senior from each side of the Menominee River. The Education & Business Partnership reviews the scholarship applications; student names are not revealed during the process. Awards are made at the chamber’s annual dinner and awards ceremony.

The H.V. Higley Scholarships are reviewed by the committee and presented to two Marinette High School graduating seniors by the chamber executive director at Marinette High School’s annual awards night.

Connections: The chamber works closely with area public and private schools, UW-Marinette and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to provide educational and training opportunities to a variety of constituencies. Area school superintendents and principals serve on our Businesss & Education Partnership. UW-Marinette Dean Paula Langteau is our current board president, while NWTC Dean Pat O'Hara is chamber vice president.