SWTC celebrates graduation milestone

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College celebrated a milestone as the first cohort of students graduated from the college’s Radiography program. Nine students completed the program, which launched in August 2024 to help meet the growing demand for radiographers in southwest Wisconsin.

For Rachel Harris, Radiography program director and instructor, watching the first class cross the graduation stage marked the culmination of years of work, growth and perseverance.

When we started in 2024, the students had a really basic understanding of how everything was going to work. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better first class to have because while they were growing as students and future technologists, our program was also growing into something more every day they were here

Graduates of the program are now prepared to work as radiographers in hospitals and clinics, performing diagnostic imaging procedures including X-rays and fluoroscopy. They will work closely with radiologists, physicians and emergency room staff to capture images used in patient diagnosis and treatment.

The need for radiographers remains strong throughout the region. Harris said seven of the nine graduates already have jobs, and every student who applied for a position received an offer.

Clinical partners frequently contacted the program with job openings for students.