2009 Grads Succeed in Difficult Economy
Despite landing in one of the worst job markets in decades, MATC's 2009 graduates fared very well. The college's newly released Graduate Report (see http://matc.edu/documents/Grad_Report2009.pdf) is a detailed survey of 62% (1,460) of the December 2008 and May 2009 associate degree and technical diploma graduates. Eight of every 10 associate degree graduates and seven of 10 technical diploma alumni were employed within six months of graduation. The publication also provides the graduates' self-reported salaries. The average starting salary of associate degree graduates is $33,070. For technical diploma graduates, the starting salary is $28,160. The vast majority were employed in their fields of study. This is a remarkable accomplishment in such difficult economic times and a testament to the value of an MATC education. In addition to the online link provided above, printed copies of the report are available through internal requisition from Printing Services at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus.

Photo: The cover of the 2009 Graduate Report.


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Melanie Holmes is District Board Chairperson for 2010-11
Melanie C. Holmes, Vice President at Manpower, Inc. and an MATC District Board member since 2008, is the chairperson of the board for 2010-11 following the board's annual organizational meeting July 12. Other officers for the year, which runs to June 30, 2011, are: Ann Wilson, vice chairperson; Thomas Michalski, secretary; and Fred Royal, Jr., treasurer. Returning to the board are Lauren Baker, Peter Earle, Richard Monroe and Bobbie Webber.
Please welcome new District Board member Michael Katz, president of Molded Dimensions, Inc., located in Port Washington.

Photo: District Board Chairperson Melanie Holmes.

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July 31: Deadline for Fall Semester Program Application
Saturday, July 31 is the deadline for students to apply for admission into associate degree or technical diploma programs. Fall semester classes start Thursday, August 26. The deadline ensures that students have enough time to submit transcripts, complete the Accuplacer assessment, apply for financial aid, meet with counselors, select classes and have background checks completed (if applicable). After July 31, program applications will be processed for the spring 2011 semester. Students can register for available individual classes after July 31 - credits earned may be applied to a program. The college has experienced strong enrollment gains throughout the early summer for the fall semester.

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Students Gain Two New Transfer Agreements with UW - Parkside
MATC students will gain two more associate degree program transfer options with the start of the fall semester. The Business Management - Transfer Track program and Environmental Health and Water Quality Technology will count for the first two years of related bachelor degree programs at UW - Parkside in Kenosha. Waukesha County Technical College is also part of the agreement. A formal signing ceremony is scheduled for Monday, August 16, at the Mequon Campus starting at 4 p.m. Participants and speakers include MATC President Michael L. Burke, WCTC President Barbara Prindiville and UW - Parkside Chancellor Deborah Ford. Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited.

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Board Resolution Supports Boycott of Arizona Vendors and Travel
The MATC District Board passed a resolution at its May 25 meeting in response to the newly signed Arizona immigration law (SB1070). Through the resolution, MATC will not purchase goods or services from companies headquartered in Arizona and will not send employees to conferences or meetings held in Arizona. The board's resolution also calls for MATC to review existing goods and services contracts with Arizona-based companies and to discontinue those contracts consistent with the contract terms. Arizona's law, which went into effect April 23, allows police broad power to detain anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally and charge immigrants with a state crime for not carrying immigration documents. The board resolution notes that the law potentially puts MATC students and employees traveling to Arizona at risk.

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Coordination Days Launch New Academic Year
We will welcome faculty members for the 2010-11 academic year at the August 24 and 25 Coordination Days. Fall semester classes start Thursday, August 26. Highlights of August 24 include:

• "Sharing What's New/Coffee with Colleagues," 8 - 9:10 a.m. in Room M605 at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus.
• Remarks from Dr. Michael L. Burke, President; Dr. Vicki Martin, Provost; and Dr. Michael Rosen, faculty member and President of Local 212 follow in Cooley Theater.

August 25 features division and department meetings.

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Giving Campaign Increases Donor Options
The 2010 Employee Giving Campaign adds two new local agencies for this year, giving employees and retirees more choices among nine area agencies representing hundreds of local charities and causes. See the next issue of Communique for a list of the nine agencies involved in the campaign, set to start August 26. Co-chairs for the effort are Steve Holloway, Counseling, and Dr. Mohammad Dakwar, interim dean, Business Division. As always, the MATC Foundation and the MPTV Friends are among the choices for donors.

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Students and Alumni Get 'Job Ready'
The third MATC Job Readiness Conference, held May 27, attracted 124 students and alumni who attended one-on-one resume reviewing sessions, one-on-one interviewing sessions and small-group networking sessions. More than 60 area professionals volunteered their time and expertise. Highlights also included a panel discussion and Q&A with seven employers titled "Skills and Work Qualifications Employers Seek in Job Candidates." Six workshops ranged from social media issues to addressing employment barriers. The conference concluded with an Employment Dress for Success Show sponsored by the Bottomless Closet. Special thanks to the MATC Foundation, Inc. for a grant that made this program possible.

Photo: Dress for Success was part of the recent Job Readiness Conference.

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Creative Technologies Division Launched
Creative Technologies - a new academic division - was created as part of organizational changes effective July 1. Division programs are Animation, Computer Simulation and Gaming, Graphic Design, Music Occupations, Photography, Television and Video Production, Visual Communications and Web Design. Ellis Bromberg, MPTV general manager and former dean of the Television and Video Production program, is dean of the new Creative Technologies Division. Jim MacDonald serves as associate dean. This and other changes were initiated to increase efficiencies, meet continuing budget challenges and, most importantly, focus on student success. Among other changes:

• Lucia Francis is the interim vice president of the Mequon Campus
• Dr. Mohammad Dakwar is the interim dean of the Business Division
• Duane Schultz is the director of the Office of Corporate Learning
• Dr. Mercedes Fisher and the staff in the Teaching and Learning Technology Department have joined the Information Technology Division

Photo: Ellis Bromberg

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Grants Help Bolster Education Initiatives
MATC's aggressive pursuit of grant funding in 2009-10 has earned the college more than $30 million to help fund education initiatives. Thanks to the work of staff and faculty, support of important programs and educational projects is possible. Some examples:

• $740,364 from the U.S. Department of Energy for training in Advanced Energy Efficient Building Technology
• $1.7 million for assistance to first-year migrant students
• $3 million for Health Careers Preparation programs
• $911,650 for upgrades to MPTV transmission facilities
• $4.1 million to provide broadband for online education at area Community-Based Organizations

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Staff Notes
Please welcome our new VP of Finance, James E. Williams, CPA. Dr. Williams, who began July 12, has a strong background in business, financial affairs and senior-level college administration, mostly in California. His numerous higher education positions include director of internal audit, financial services director and VP of Administrative Services. Dr. Williams replaces Michael Sargent who will retire in August. Thanks to Michael for his five years of service and important work on the college's fiscal operations, green energy initiatives and financial planning. 
Terese Dressel, Civil Engineering Technology faculty member, received the 2010 President's Award from the Engineers and Scientists of Milwaukee for her years of contributions to the civil engineering profession. 
Dr. Joseph Jacobsen, Associate Dean, Business, received the 2010 Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. The award cites Dr. Jacobsen's work and leadership in developing MATC's renewable energy programs and courses.
Milwaukee Public Television received three Wisconsin Broadcasters Association awards for locally produced programs: "National Parks: Wisconsin" (first place, Jack Abrams, producer); "Braves New World" (first place, Bill Povletich, producer) and "Facing the Mortgage Crisis: Town Hall" (second place, Dan Jones, producer). 
The MATC Foundation recently appointed three new board members, all serving three-year terms: Jim Milner, president and CEO of Urban Strategies; Dr. Linda Stewart, director of operations for the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board; and Dr. Lenard Wells, director for the Concordia University Adult Education South Center. 
Congratulations to the faculty and staff of the Radiography associate degree program. It received an eight-year reaccreditation from the prestigious Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. JRCERT especially complimented the program and the faculty and staff on a well-developed assessment plan.

Photo: Dr. James E. Williams

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