Leveraging Outstanding Value
TV frequencies licensed for educational use back in the '70s are proving to be a hot commodity. MATC has agreed to lease four such channels to Clearwire Corp. for about $36 million over the next 30 years. The Federal Communications Commission granted approval Jan. 15. Clearwire has not publicly discussed its plans, but the company is a big provider of high-speed wireless Internet service in several regions across the U.S.

This was a package deal in which MATC, Milwaukee Public Schools, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee each agreed to lease their 4 channels of licensed frequency at an identical price. It was highly gratifying to see the partners heralded on the front page of the daily newspaper for leveraging outstanding value.

The MATC community should be especially proud that the package deal was our idea. Please thank and congratulate Mike Walsh, associate vice president of Information Technology; Janice Falkenberg, interim vice president and general counsel; and Kristin Schraml; manager of Procurement, for leading this initiative. It is too early to say how the money will be used. We must be mindful of the many financial uncertainties ahead, including the spending crunch facing the state of Wisconsin.

Registration Update
MATC and most other public colleges have long wrestled with how to manage the problem of students who register for class but fail to pay tuition on time. In recent years we would "deregister" these students all at once. Typically, 30% of them would eventually pay their tuition and reregister. We need to increase that percentage for the benefit of these individuals and to increase our output of skilled workers for the local economy. Accordingly this semester, we held deregistration in abeyance.

Our most recent data gives reason for optimism. FTE (full-time equivalent) enrollment is well up from a year ago. Meanwhile, applications for admission are way up at all campuses except Oak Creek. They also are up across the board by substantial margins among our target groups for marketing and recruitment. Dispensing with deregistration had a big impact, but we also have done a nice job of getting the word out.

Volunteers Offer Free Tax Preparation
Those with an annual family income of $45,000 or less can receive free income tax return preparation at the Downtown Milwaukee and Oak Creek campuses. MATC accounting students provide the service as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by the IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

The program begins its 26th year at the Oak Creek Campus and its sixth year at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Thanks to instructor Jim Benedum and retiree Bobbie Sherrod, who coordinate the activities, and all Accounting students who volunteer for this valuable service to the community.

Photo: Jim Benedum.

Back to Top

New Emergency Alert System
We are implementing a fast, new emergency alert system called Streem. Initially to be used by employees, it shortens total distribution time for college-wide alerts to less than 30 minutes. Faculty and staff soon will be asked to log into a secure website to provide phone and e-mail contact information. Depending on how well this service works for employees, it could be expanded to students. First we must absolutely assure ourselves that the technology does everything we need it to do. 

Streem will be administered by Xerox Corp. as part of their contract with us for office equipment. Other new, multi functional Xerox technology has allowed us to replace stand-alone printers, copiers and fax machines in many offices. However, some of those old devices still remain. In the next few months we plan to retire from service as many as possible, based on usage data collected by Xerox's Pharos Print Management system.

An Inspiring Finale for Fall Semester
About 800 students received their degrees and diplomas at our winter commencement Dec. 20 at U.S. Cellular Arena. The event capped a successful year and was an uplifting experience for those who celebrated with our students and their families. My thanks to all faculty and staff volunteers - ushers, marshals, roll callers and musicians. You helped create a memorable evening. Dr. Kevin P. Reilly, president of the University of Wisconsin System, graciously traveled here to give the keynote speech. Donielle Reneau-Zynski, a  paralegal graduate, was the student speaker. Her heartfelt comments championed lifelong learning.

Photo: Donielle Reneau-Zynski and Dr. Cole.

Virtually Dazzling
I am very pleased to report that a new MATC-sponsored HIVE pod opened recently at Discovery World. Located on the second floor of the museum's Technology Building, the cave-like chamber plunges you into the center of three-dimensional, simulated worlds. Visitors can walk through, fly over, or examine any object within a scene simply by moving closer to the object and walking around it.

"HIVE" stands for Human Interactive Virtual Education and is the conceptual umbrella for all of our activities at Discovery World. This newest exhibit promises to become a valuable training tool for MATC students. They will
learn in the process of creating fascinating, new interactive experiences for the
general public.

Praise for Service Learning
It didn't take long for our new service learning initiative to earn recognition. Dr. Pamela Proulx-Curry, executive director of the Wisconsin Campus Compact, recently cited us as "a leader within the statewide technical college system with respect to community engagement and service learning." That's quite a compliment, considering that we first began offering service learning only about a year ago.

Service learning allows people to earn credits by working on community projects. About 600 students participated last semester. This is an effective retention tool that also helps us build partnerships. My thanks to the 20 teachers who are on board, and to the service learning leadership team: Emily Adams, Suzanne Goodrich, Dr. Courtney Marlaire and Jamie Racine.

Photo: MATC students participate in the recent Walk Against Poverty as part of their Service Learning involvement.

Back to Top

Promoting Public Service
We recently were the proud host of Governor Jim Doyle and about 300 area high school students attending the state of Wisconsin's Milwaukee Career Day. The event promoted public service careers in state government. Governor Doyle provided inspiring remarks about possible career paths, and state employees gave further insights. In welcoming our young guests, I spoke about the many opportunities available through MATC programs for anyone considering a public service career.

Photo: Governor Jim Doyle meets with area high school students at Milwaukee Career Day at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus.

Poblocki Donates ECAM Sign
My personal thanks to a longtime vendor, Poblocki Sign Company, for generously donating the entrance sign for ECAM, the Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing. It should be up within the month, adding distinctivness to the building front. Karen Coy-Romano, executive director of the MATC Foundation, worked with Dennis Bauer, Poblocki vice president of exterior operations, to secure the gift.

Photo: Digital rendering depicts ECAM's new exterior signage.

Back to Top

Retirees Aid Registration
In mid-January at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, some friendly faces were back. Volunteers from the MATC Retirees Association staffed information tables, helping new students get started. Many thanks to retirees Gwen Hagerman, Mary Jo Dicristo, Judy Wantuch, Gary Socha, Norrine Nolan, Karen McAlpine, Pat Fredenberg, Wesley Porter and Mary Sorensen. This again shows why the 425-member MATCRA is one of MATC's most valuable assets.

Photo: Retirees Mary Sorensen (right) and Karen McAlpine assist new students at the start of the spring semester.

Back to Top

Winners Step Forward
Just before the holiday season, 328 employees decided to walk their way to fitness through the "Step It Up - Team Walking Challenge." Organized by Anne Sheridan, wellness and risk management coordinator, the friendly, five-week competition ended with the Oak Creek Campus team of Chris Goodhue, Mike Kupsik, Jean Moore and Michaelle Novocin in first place. They walked more than 1,200 miles, averaging 322 miles per person. While there could be only one winning team, all who participated are winners.

Photo: The Oak Creek Campus "Step-It Up" team winners.

Back to Top

People and Programs
Please help me welcome Lisa Lipe as our new director of financial aid. Most recently she was vice president of financial aid and administration at Herzing Colleges, with more than 15 years' experience in financial aid management and auditing. Glad to have you aboard, Lisa.

In other news from Student Services, Christine Zollicoffer is our new manager of admissions. Most recently serving as a financial aid coordinator, Christine has been with MATC for 22 years. She replaces Pat Roberts, who retired.

Dr. Evonne Carter, associate vice president of Academic Affairs, has been selected to serve as a peer reviewer for the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. She will participate in the accrediting process for AQIP colleges in the Midwest.

Mary Sorensen, retired associate dean and president of the MATC Retirees Association, had the honor of presenting at the recent League for Innovation Conference. Her topic, appropriately, was "New Constituency in Higher Education: Redefining Retirement in Community Colleges."

Congratulations to our Early Childhood Education program faculty and staff for being nominated for the prestigious Chair Academy's 2008 International Exemplary Leader Award. The nomination cites the program's advancement of academic and administrative leadership on campus.

The Funeral Service program recently was reaccredited for seven years by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Ours is the only professionally accredited program of its kind in Wisconsin.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has reaccredited the child care centers at the Downtown Milwaukee and Mequon campuses. The gold standard in child care, NAEYC previously reaccredited our Oak Creek Campus children's center. Next up for review this month: West Allis Campus.

Back to Top