Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 13, 2025
Contact: [email protected] 
 
Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to Wisconsin Technical College System Board 
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced three new appointments and two reappointments to the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board. In addition to reappointing Daniel Sperberg and Douglas Holton, the governor announced today he has appointed Frances Huntley-Cooper, Dr. Michael Rosen, and Eli Guthrie to join the WTCS Board.

“Our technical colleges are critical to building a 21st-century workforce Wisconsin needs to support a 21st-century economy, and we’re grateful to each of these board members for their commitment to upholding our technical college system’s mission to serve its students,” said Gov. Evers. “Our WTCS Board members represent a variety of backgrounds, which is essential to ensuring our technical colleges are successful and the Board is representative of the students, faculty, and staff that make up these institutions.”

Huntley-Cooper spent 28 years as a social worker at the Dane County Department of Human Services, and in 1991, she made history as the first elected African American mayor in Wisconsin and served as the mayor of the city of Fitchburg from 1991 to 1993. Huntley-Cooper later transitioned to state service as administrator of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Worker’s Compensation, where she chaired the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council and was elected president of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC). Huntley-Cooper has also served 15 years on the Madison College District Board of Trustees, holding leadership roles including board chair, vice-chair, and secretary. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s in social work from the University of Wisconsin (UW)–Madison, and a master’s in public policy and administration from the La Follette School of Public Affairs. A photo of Huntley-Cooper is available here.

“I’m excited and honored to join the Wisconsin Technical College System’s board of directors, and grateful to Gov. Evers for his appointment,” said Huntley-Cooper. “Our technical colleges are essential to our workforce, and the WTCS is leading the way in offering a wide variety of high-quality learning experiences and opportunities for students to succeed. I’m looking forward to supporting this critical institution as a member of the board of directors.”

Rosen is a retired economics professor of 29 years at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He also served as the president of the American Federation of Teachers Local 212 for nearly two decades. Representative of his profound commitment to higher education, Rosen founded Milwaukee Area Technical College’s FAST Fund in 2016, which has since provided financial support to over 9,000 students. Rosen was previously appointed to the Governor’s Task Force on Student Debt, the WTCS Board, where he served from 2004 through 2010, and the College Savings Program Board. A photo of Rosen is available here.

“I am honored to be appointed to the Wisconsin Technical College System’s board of directors by Gov. Evers,” said Rosen. “The WTCS is the engine of the state’s economy, educating the next generation of skilled and technical workers. I have devoted my professional life to the WTCS and its students. This appointment provides me with the opportunity to continue that work.” 

Guthrie was recently selected as Chippewa Valley Technical College’s ambassador to the WTCS. Gutherie is pursuing an associate degree in business management, with an expected graduation date of May 2026. A photo of Gutherie is available here.

“I am honored to be appointed as a student member of the WTCS Board, and I look forward to sharing the student perspective,” said Guthrie. “As a Business Management student at CVTC, I’ve seen firsthand how technical colleges can change lives and strengthen our communities. I am excited to contribute to the growth of our technical college system, grateful for this opportunity, and proud to serve and represent my peers.” 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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