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Driving Commitment
Workforce development isn't only about training people for jobs. They need the means to get to work, and public transit is not always an option. Accordingly, we and several partners have launched a support program for students who have had their driver's licenses revoked. The effort is being underwritten by the Helen Bader Foundation and the City of Milwaukee. Helping put it into action are municipal court judges, Legal Action, Justice 2000 and the office of Mayor Tom Barrett.
License revocations currently jam the municipal courts, creating gridlock. Many defendants, unable to pay to begin with, get thrown into a tailspin of mounting fines. The Driver's License Recovery Program will use case management to help them fulfill their obligations. The idea is to set up payment plans and help people negotiate community service in lieu of fees. They also will receive counsel on how to navigate the legal system.
Our in-kind contribution includes office space and equipment. The program has begun in tune-up mode, with the full launch scheduled for April 1. The program is not open to the public; clients are referred from Student Services' paralegal office. My thanks to the project leaders: Christy Brown, executive vice president and general counsel; and Theresa Barry, vice president of Student Services.
Photo: When license revocation keeps students from going to class, the Driver's License Recovery Program can put them back behind the wheel.
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First Class Graduates from 'Express Ramp'
At Bucyrus International, Inc. on March 8, our first 11 students graduated from the Express Ramp heavy plate welder training program. I congratulate the administrators and instructors who pulled this project together so quickly. It epitomizes rapid response. Two more sections have started, with another scheduled to start soon at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Express Ramp and the Tramont project are successful blueprints for innovative workforce training. We will undertake more such efforts as we engage with the Milwaukee 7 regional economic development initiative.
But most of all, I congratulate the students, 10 of whom attended the graduation ceremony. They spoke about how MATC has changed their lives and given them a chance for a better future. They were hand-picked to succeed, and seemed to realize that the hopes of many are riding on their shoulders. Everyone in the audience - friends, family, company officials, community dignitaries - was deeply moved.
Tim Sullivan, president and CEO of Bucyrus, personally assured me that all of these graduates will get first crack at new jobs. I am confident that the vast majority will be hired; any who don't will qualify for good jobs elsewhere, and of course we will help them with that process.
Top Photo: New Express Ramp graduates Genene Williams and Jamal Williams give and receive their richly deserved applause.
Bottom Photo: Brandon Nash accepts his certificate for a job well done.
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Minority Success
Last month, as the technical college system announced progress with respect to educating people of color, our results stood out. From 2001 to 2006, the number of people of color graduating from MATC grew 76%. People of color now constitute one-third of our graduates. Our results largely drove a system-wide, upward trend. System-wide, minority graduates doubled, to 2,655. The increases were strongest among Latinos (132% increase), Asian Americans (113%) and African Americans (85%).
Changing demographics explain the data in part. Urban minority publics are on the rise, and we have been getting more students from those publics. But I would strongly contend that we also have done an outstanding job serving the needs of these new students, many of whom are under prepared and/or speak little English. We are uniquely prepared to deal with these challenges and have done so with skill, dedication and passion - all in the name of an inclusive prosperity.
Photo: Diversity is our hallmark, and the growing numbers of minority graduates proves it.
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Milwaukee 7 Meets at Mequon Campus
On Feb. 22, I welcomed about 100 of my colleagues from the Milwaukee 7 Project to the Mequon Campus for our meeting. M-7 is an emerging and influential economic development group, with representatives from Milwaukee, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties. As a key training resource, MATC is an important M-7 partner. Activities tied to M-7 will be a major focus of our recent $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The gathering featured a discussion about the skilled worker shortage. Speakers included Leo Reddy, CEO of the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC), and Jim McCaslin, president and COO of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Mr. McCaslin also chairs the online MSSC skills testing and certification program. We are a leading player in the skills standards movement, designed to boost productivity, improve quality and develop a new generation of highly adaptable workers. Thanks to John Stilp, interim campus vice president, and the entire campus team for their flawless execution of the event.
Photo: Business and political leaders, including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (foreground), attended our M-7 meeting at the Mequon Campus..
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Introducing 'SAFE'
The MATC Foundation is launching a Student Access Fund for Emergencies as a safety net for students in sudden, unexpected financial trouble. These emergencies can include:
Utility or housing emergencies
Transportation needs
Replacement books
Child care emergencies
Computer needs
Inability to pay for required tests
SAFE is designed to help people through short-term crises. Many students have nowhere to turn in tough times. They even can be forced to leave school. Your contributions are needed. I urge you to contact Karen Coy-Romano, Foundation director.
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Statewide Renewable Energy Summit
MATC was honored to host the fourth annual Renewable Energy Summit March 8 and 9, sponsored by the Wisconsin Technical College System with major underwriting from We Energies. Presenters included Dr. Mark Chandler, NASA scientist and Columbia University professor; Lewis Milford, executive director, Clean Energy States Alliance; and our own expert on climate change and renewable energy, Dr. George Stone, Natural Science instructor. The conference explored current opportunities in our transition from fossil fuels. Look for full coverage in an upcoming installment of "Redefining Smart" on Milwaukee Public Television.
Photo: Dr. Mark Chandler, Columbia University/NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, presented facts about global warming.
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College of the Air Rehabilitates Young Inmates
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently highlighted our partnership with the Incarcerated Youth Offender Program. This inmate rehabilitation project puts our Liberal Arts and Sciences courses into prisons nationwide, via satellite. About 150 inmates are registered and working to complete MATC degrees. The program is giving renewed life to College of the Air, which saw enrollment declines as online classes became the preferred avenue for distance learning. Congratulations to our College of the Air teachers and to staff members Rich Busalacchi, Aaron Davis, Barb Geddes and Betsy Rezel .
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The Gift of Sight
Mexico in February usually means margaritas by the pool. For Spanish Instructor Perry Nigh, it meant volunteering as a translator on a health care mission. Perry was part of a delegation sponsored by the Lions Club, which provided eye exams and donated eyeglasses to nearly 10,000 people in the Tlaxcala province of Mexico.
Much of the populace can't afford prescription glasses. In addition to providing valuable translation services during the weeklong mission, Perry helped fit more than 500 grateful people with eyewear. His story is another example of a teacher with a big heart and an even bigger commitment to service.
Photo: Perry Nigh in Mexico, giving the gift of sight.
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Ann Wilson Honored
Congratulations to District Board member Ann Wilson who received a Community Service award at the recent Black Women's Network Women of Color Recognition dinner. Ms. Wilson joined our board last July. She is manager of the Hillside Family Resource Center in Milwaukee.
Photo: Board Member Ann Wilson.
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ABE Programs Awarded Highest Rating
Our Adult Basic Education programs (Basic Skills, GED, HSED, ESL) have earned the highest rating by the federal government's Office of Management and Budget. MATC's Pre-College Education Division program is one of only two nationwide to achieve such a ranking.
In related division news, Pre-College Education students will participate in a literacy conference March 28 at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Adult High School, GED/HSED, ESL and Basic Skills students will learn about transitioning to college. Thanks to Ron Fancher for coordinating the event.
Photo: Success is no experiment. Our Adult Basic Education programs consistently turn out job-ready and college-bound students.
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Students Earn Prestigious State and National Awards
Congratulations to students Carole Steele (Respiratory Therapy) and Anthony Ramirez (Music Occupations) for winning prestigious honors. Carole will represent MATC as a state ambassador for the Wisconsin Technical College System. Anthony was selected as a New Century Scholar, for which he won a $2,000 scholarship from the American Association of Community Colleges. Anthony and Carole represent the best of what we hope for our students, many of whom are balancing jobs, families and school.
Photos: Carole Steele and Anthony Ramirez embody the best and brightest among MATC students.
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Another Award for 'Redefine Smart'
Our current marketing campaign has been recognized as among the best in the nation by the Admissions Marketing Report (AMR). Competing against two-year and four-year colleges, we won "Best of Show" in the category of "Total Advertising Campaign." This honor went to only 15 colleges across the country. AMR also gave MATC its top "gold" award for newspaper, television, radio and outdoor/transit advertising.
This is the second national recognition for "Redefine Smart." Late last year it won a major award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Our ad agency, BVK, designed the campaign in close collaboration with College Advancement. Again, kudos to the entire team.
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Young Students Hear Black History Message
As part of Black History Month, I was pleased to speak to very young students at the Young Minds Preparatory Academy in Milwaukee. I talked about some of my historical heroes and how they positively influence us today, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman and George Washington Carver. These wonderful and inquisitive K5 - 4th grade students are the foundation of our community's future.
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Interior Design Students Win NARI Competition
MATC Interior Design students triumphed at the recent NARI Home Remodeling Show at State Fair Park. Twelve of our students teamed up to create the best "model bedroom" in competition against two- and four-year interior design students from Waukesha County Technical College and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. In their honor, the MATC Foundation received a $2,000 scholarship gift from the local NARI chapter. More than 4,000 votes were cast by visitors to the show. Instructor Walter Janke said the students could not have better represented us. I certainly agree.
Congratulations and thanks to our Interior Design students who were involved in this unique project: Amy Carroll, Tolanda Childress, Danny Danner, Jennifer Frontier, Laura Gunther, Eric Hall, Chris Leonard, Lisa Packard, Craig Pete, Christina Ridolfi, Carolyn Roethel and Alexis Smith.
Photo: Interior Design students in the prize-winning room they created (from left to right): Jenny Frontier, Tolanda Childress, Craig Pete and Christina Ridolfi.
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More Accolades for The Times
Our student organizations provide many wonderful opportunities for students to develop their professional interests. The MATC Times is one of our most enduring and successful examples. At the recent Midwest College Newspaper Convention, the paper's 2006-07 issues received a third place "Best of Show" award from the Associated Collegiate Press. This volume of issues was the last under the leadership of faculty advisor Tom Gould who retired last June. New advisor Bob Hanson and the current editorial staff are upholding the high standards that Tom set.
Photo (left to right): Anthony Saldutte, Estibaliz Quezada, Darian Coe and Robert Hanson accept the Best of Show award for third place at the ACP Best of the Midwest Newspaper Convention.
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Cardiovascular Tech Program Accredited Through 2015
The Cardiovascular Technology associate degree program has earned reaccreditation until 2015 from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Congratulations and many thanks to Health Occupations division faculty and staff for their efforts, especially Rick Dettman, Colleen Wagner and Erwin Wuehr. All MATC programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which represents the gold standard. Many programs, including Cardiovascular Technology, achieve additional accreditation from professional associations.
Photo: Cardiovascular Technology students practice their skills with state-of-the-art equipment.
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Communique is a monthly online newsletter of Milwaukee Area
Technical College. Got an item for Dr. Cole? Please contact
Dan Reszel, coordinating editor.
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