AFIT welcomes Kirk Bennett, President of Western Technical College

AFIT is pleased to welcome Dr. Kirk Bennett, President of Western Technical College in La Crosse, Wisconsin, as the newest member of the Alliance for Innovation & Transformation (AFIT). 

Western Technical College has been an AFIT member organization since 2005, and we are excited for that legacy to continue under Kirk’s leadership. 

Kirk became Western’s eighth president in August 2026. He brings extensive higher education leadership experience to the role, most recently serving as Vice President of Administrative Services at Lone Star College-Montgomery, where he served as the institution’s chief financial, administrative, and compliance officer. His career has included leadership in workforce development, academic and administrative operations, student-centered programming, and community and employer partnerships. 

Kirk has a collaborative leadership style and commitment to student success, workforce development, and values the role technical colleges play in strengthening their communities. His leadership philosophy centers on education as a pathway to opportunity, economic mobility, and personal growth. 

At Western, Kirk is building a strong foundation while looking toward the future of technical education. Western has established itself as a leader in workforce-aligned education and innovation, with work-based and community-based learning embedded across its associate degree and technical diploma programs. The college is also home to the Wanek Center for Innovation, a state-of-the-art facility focused on advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, and emerging technologies, as well as immersive virtual and extended reality learning environments. 

As president, Kirk plans to continue advancing Western’s culture of innovation by listening closely to students, employees, employers, and community partners and ensuring the college responds to the changing needs of the region. He has emphasized strengthening partnerships, expanding opportunities for students, and preparing Western for the workforce needs of tomorrow. 

We are excited to welcome Kirk to AFIT and look forward to continuing to learn alongside the Western Technical College team as we explore innovative approaches to higher education, workforce development, and student success. 

Please join us in giving a warm AFIT welcome to Kirk Bennett!