Ready for the Challenge   Dear Friends, Whether we are in a recession or just a "slowdown," rough waters lie ahead for our national economy. Indicators were dire enough for Congress and the president to quickly come up with an economic stimulus package that will inject billions of dollars of consumer spending. I hope it helps, but at the same time we have to view it as a short-term fix. In the long term, the U.S. needs a "total quality" approach to economic policy. The U.S. can no longer always be the price leader for goods and services, but can be the value leader. Locally, MATC is part of this movement. We recognize that end quality begins with quality education. Quality education is our day-to-day mission, but becomes even more critical for the greater good during hard times. Perhaps our most critical task right now: replace an entire generation of skilled professionals being lost to retirement. Also, MATC is one of the pillar institutions trying to rescue a young generation in danger of being lost permanently to poverty in urban Milwaukee. These challenges loom large, but fortunately we have some promising new blueprints for workforce development. The one you may know about is the "Tramont Model," which has received extensive discussion and publicity. Now I want to tell you about another one - let's call it the "Northcott Model." We have teamed with Northcott Neighborhood House and Wisconsin Fresh Start to create a pathway of hope for at-risk young people. The program allows them to obtain their high school equivalency diploma, gain some basic experience in construction work, and eventually enter that field professionally via MATC. As careers and technologies continue to evolve, MATC is here to help individuals and businesses throughout the region get ready for change and embrace it.  Darnell E. Cole President

April 2008 Welcome New Board Members At the March 15 meeting of our District Board Appointment Committee, two new District Board members were appointed, and incumbent board member Lauren Baker was re-appointed. Milwaukee Enterprise Centers Update We have had private discussions with potential buyers for the Milwaukee Enterprise Centers since June 2005. Graduation News James McCaslin, president and COO of Harley-Davidson Motor Co., has graciously accepted our invitation as keynote speaker at spring commencement on Thursday, May 22 at the Bradley Center. Electrifying Teamwork This semester, Oak Creek Campus teamed up with engineering students from Marquette University on a project that was literally electrifying. Interior Design Students Triumph MATC Interior Design students flexed their creative muscles in winning the Milwaukee NARI Interior Design competition at the February home remodeling show. Absolutely Delectable We showcased the culinary creativity of our students and faculty at a Five Star Food and Wine event on March 10 at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Respite for Some Special Parents Parents of about 60 children with special needs were able to take a Saturday afternoon break recently, thanks to about 60 Health Occupations students and faculty. Click here for top of Communique