Dr. Michael L. Burke at the kick-off
event for MATC's Centennial celebration.

U.S. Representative Moore Promotes National Jobs Bill at West Allis Campus
Saying that MATC has "produced a century of outcomes that have been impeccable," former MATC student and current U.S. Representative Gwen Moore (D - 4th District) discussed the American Jobs Act at the West Allis Campus welding lab in October. State elected officials, MATC President Michael L. Burke and welding instructor Larry Gross attended the event. Also attending was Abdulhamid Ali, owner of DAAR, a Milwaukee-based civil engineering firm that specializes in transportation improvement projects.  "MATC is a hidden treasure," Moore told the audience. "The college has done a marvelous job with the resources it has."
Dr. Burke confirmed MATC's commitment to closing the skills gap by working closely with local businesses to ensure students are prepared to enter the workforce.

Photo: U.S. Representative Gwen Moore (at podium) speaks at the West Allis Campus about MATC's pivotal role in job creation. Joining Rep. Moore are (from left) Spencer Coggs, state senator; Barbara Toles, state representative; Josh Zepnick, state representative; Dr. Michael L. Burke, MATC president; and Sandy Pasch, state representative.

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New Carroll University Transfer Partnership Offers Bachelor's Degree Option to Computer Simulation and Gaming Graduates
A new program-to-program transfer agreement with Carroll University provides MATC Computer Simulation and Gaming associate degree graduates with an opportunity to seamlessly transition into a related bachelor's degree program.
Leaders of both schools attended the November 1 signing ceremony to formalize the agreement. The agreements give MATC Computer Simulation and Gaming graduates a clear path into a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology with a Computer Gaming Development emphasis. The four-year Carroll University degree is the first in southeastern Wisconsin with a gaming focus. In addition to recreational uses, game technology applications include educational tools and business strategies software as well as training for soldiers, pilots and surgeons. MATC representatives at the signing included Dr. Michael L. Burke, president; Dr. Vicki Martin, executive vice president and provost; Ellis Bromberg, dean, School of Media and Creative Arts; and Judy Ligocki, School of Media and Creative Arts. Carroll representatives included Dr. Douglas Hastad, president; and Dr. Joanne Passaro, vice president for Academic Affairs.

Photo: Among the MATC participants in the articulation signing ceremony were (top row) Judy Ligocki, School of Media and Creative Arts (left); Dr. Richard Busalacchi, School of Media and Creative Arts (second from left); Barb Cannell, Academic Affairs (third from left); Alain Demars, School of Media and Creative Arts (fifth from left); Karen Ortiz, Academic Affairs (second from right); (front row) Dr. Vicki Martin, Provost (left); Dr. Michael L. Burke, President (second from left); and Ellis Bromberg, School of Media and Creative Arts (second from right). Among those from Carroll were Dr. Douglas Hastad, President (front row, third from left) and Dr. Joanne Passaro, Provost (fourth from left).

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New Programs for Quality and Continuous Improvement Begin in January
MATC offers innovative education in traditional and emerging occupations. Starting in January, we will expand our offerings in the growing field of quality and continuous improvement. The Quality Engineering associate degree program and certificate programs in Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean will begin with the spring semester. Many of the programs' technical courses will be taught at the Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM) on the Oak Creek Campus. The Quality Engineering program will provide students with the skills to analyze, monitor, and implement quality systems, business performance metrics and process improvement initiatives. The 12-credit Six Sigma Black Belt includes a Green Belt certification and a "tools and concepts" course. The Lean certificate is one three-credit course that covers strategies to maximize consumer value while minimizing waste. Students can transfer earned certificate credits to the Quality Engineering associate degree program.

Photo: Michelle Mason (left), CAE, Managing Director, American Society for Quality, and Jessica Jatczak, Quality Engineering instructor, speak at the launch of the MATC Quality Engineering Technology program on October 19.

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Project Seeks Answers About Barriers to Graduation
Armen Hadjinian's Business Statistics and Small Business Management classes are seeking student input on a simple but vitally important question: "What factors are delaying your graduation from MATC?" Students have a one-day, 12-hour window to answer on Tuesday, November 22, from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Students are encouraged to go to http://matcbiz.edublogs.org, the MATC Entrepreneurs site for School of Business program students. The collected data will be shared with college leaders to gain better insight on retention issues and possible strategies to increase graduation.
"We want students to be heard on this important issue," Hadjinian said. The project is sponsored by the MATC Entrepreneurship Center.

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Job Readiness Workshop Focuses on Students with Disabilities
More than 50 students attended a Job Readiness Workshop last month which, for the first time, targeted students with disabilities. A collaborative effort of Student Accommodations and Student Employment Services, the event provided MATC students with disabilities access to employment resources and tools as they continue through school and prepare to find employment. Topics included overcoming obstacles, job preparation and pre-employment services. Among the presenters were Brian Weiland, Student Accommodations; Jenny McGilligan, Student Employment Services; representatives of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; and recent graduates Rosetta Washington and Harvey Ross.

Photo: Alumni and guest experts were among those who helped students with disabilities at a Job Readiness Workshop.

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Graduation Set for Wednesday, December 21
Winter Commencement is set for Wednesday, December 21, starting at 6 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Arena, 400 West Kilbourn Avenue. About 800 associate degree, technical diploma, apprentice and Adult High School candidates will be recognized. Dr. Michael L. Burke, president, will confer the degrees and diplomas. Julia Taylor, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, will give the commencement address. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Your presence makes a special event even more memorable for the graduating students, who often make enormous sacrifices to earn their degree or diploma.

Photo: Winter Commencement will be held at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

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Employees and Retirees Step Up for Giving Campaign
The early November end to the 2011 Giving Campaign resulted in $186,905.64 in contributions from 446 employees and retirees. A campaign culmination celebration was held November 2 at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Online donations are still being accepted for a limited time at http://www.matc.edu/matcgivingcampaign. Thanks to those who supported the campaign's 10 local distributor agencies representing hundreds of organizations. Special thanks to the campaign's co-chairs, Dr. Mohammad Dakwar, dean, School of Business; and Patricia O'Connor, faculty member, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Photo: Pat McFarland, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at the recent Giving Campaign celebration event. Also pictured (background) is Jerry Manz, Student Services. 

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New and Notes
The West Allis Campus held a successful Centennial celebration on November 10. The event included current and former students, faculty and staff; business and civic partners; representatives from the West Allis mayor's office; and comments from Dr. Michael L. Burke, MATC president, and Kurt Wachholz, superintendent of the West Allis/West Milwaukee School District. A Mequon Campus Centennial Celebration (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) and Open House (4 - 7 p.m.) are scheduled for Thursday, December 1. ...  A Student and Community Job Fair is set for Thursday, December 1, at the Oak Creek Campus. Students and alumni will have exclusive access to the fair's employers from noon - 2 p.m. The general public is welcome from 2 - 5 p.m. Shuttle service will be available for students. Email jobshop@matc.edu with questions. ... We mourn the recent losses of two employees who have made a difference through their important work. Art Langlas, executive director of the MPTV Friends, died October 26. Described as "Mr. Auction," Art was instrumental in helping to raise at least $1 million a year for the last 10 years for the annual event. He was responsible for coordinating the efforts of 2,000 auction volunteers and the acquisition and sale of some 20,000 items. Natural Science faculty member Christine Fredrich died November 4. Christine began her School of Liberal Arts and Sciences teaching career here in 1980, positively influencing many hundreds of students. ... Vida Cross, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, received an honorable mention Cave Canem Poetry Prize for her work Bronzeville at Night: 1959. ... Asenju (Cal) Tamanji, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, earned a doctorate in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies from Loyola University. ... Congratulations to 11 students from the Animation and Television & Video Production programs who received College Student Production Awards from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The students are: John Alvarez-Wallesverd, James Frame, Andrew Ilk, Desere Jones, Cassie Maldonado, Katy McCool, Cole Norton, Roberto Rivera Pedro, Evan Thompson and Micah Zellinger. ... Thanks to the 20 MATC student-athletes who volunteered at the recent Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. They were joined by Athletic Director Randy Casey and were among the 1,300 area volunteers who helped facilitate the 26.2-mile event. ... The Grassroots Series welcomed Jack Norman to speak about taxes and jobs on November 9. Norman is research director at the Institute for Wisconsin's Future, a statewide public policy research and community outreach organization.

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