High School Educators on Campus September 28
High school educators will learn about MATC's innovative career options at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus on Thursday, September 28. The half-day event for high school administrators, counselors and teachers will also include interaction with employers who hire our graduates. High school professionals influence students' college decisions. In a competitive college environment, it is vital that we continue to position MATC as a first-choice option for higher education. Students who enroll right out of high school are often full-time students. New high school graduates have a compelling reason to choose MATC: our relevant, engaging instruction leads to employment success.

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A Smart Way to Start New-Student Admissions
We kicked off our popular Smart Start sessions for 2011-12 earlier this month. Prospective students attend these customized one-hour admissions and pre-registration information meetings. They will be held at the four campuses as frequently as four times per month through July 2012. Geared to those who are interested in enrolling in an MATC degree or diploma program, Smart Start streamlines the admissions process. The goal at the end of the session is for each participant to make an appointment for the Accuplacer assessment. Before attending, prospective students must reserve a spot at the session, complete an online application, and bring a copy of their high school transcripts. The $30 application fee is waived at a Smart Start. Information is available at http://matc.edu/smartstart/

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Nov. 5 Open House to Showcase Innovative Career Options
Faculty members are encouraged to showcase their programs at the Open House, set for Saturday, November 5, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Up to 1,000 prospective students, many with their parents, are expected to attend this annual event. With the theme "Innovative Careers Start Here," the Open House traditionally attracts a wide range of prospective students. Open House invitations will be sent to households of high school juniors and seniors and young adults 18-24 years old. They will learn about our career-centered programs and student services including admissions/ registration, financial aid and student life. Online Open House sign-up will begin soon. Contact John Lopez, event co-chair, at lopezj@matc.edu with questions.

Photo: A scene from the 2010 Open House. More than 1,000 prospective students are expected for the November 5, 2011 Open House.

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Transfer Days Coming to Downtown Milwaukee and Oak Creek Campuses
MATC students seeking a bachelor's degree or beyond can start their journey at Transfer Days. MATC's four-year college partners will participate at the two-day event, Tuesday, October 11, at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus and Wednesday, October 12, at the Oak Creek Campus. Representatives of the visiting four-year colleges provide admission requirements, MATC credit transfer information and bachelor's degree options. About 20 area public and private four-year colleges and universities will be part of Transfer Days. Contact Karen Ortiz at ortizk1@matc.edu for more information.

Photo: Representatives from about 20 area four-year colleges and universities will participate in Transfer Days, October 11 and 12.

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High School Students Earn Nursing Assistant Diplomas
Typical high school students tend to avoid the rigors of academics during the summer. Not so for 10 current senior students from the Port Washington-Saukville School District who completed MATC's Nursing Assistant technical diploma program. The three-credit program was concentrated into seven summer weeks and taught at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus with clinical experience at Alexian Village, a senior living facility. MATC nursing faculty member Melanie Gray taught the unique program, which also included six college-level students. The initiative was part of Ozaukee County's Workforce 2020 youth apprenticeship program.

Photo: Ten high school students from the Port Washington-Saukville school district earned a Nursing Assistant technical diploma over seven weeks this past summer. With the students is John Higgins (back, right), Workforce 2020 Coordinator for the Port Washington-Saukville School District.

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Welcome Centers Open at All Campuses
The Downtown Milwaukee Campus Welcome Center model has been replicated at the Mequon, Oak Creek and West Allis campuses. Prospective and current students can now receive one-stop admissions, registration, financial aid and related information and assistance. The centers extended their hours of operation until 6 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Friday hours are 7:45 a.m. - 4 p.m. A Financial Aid specialist, available during all open days and hours at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, is available on selected days at the regional campuses. For a full menu of Welcome Center services and hours at the four campuses, visit matc.edu/matc_news/2011_MATCWelcomeCenters.html.

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Giving Campaign Underway With Online Option
MATC faculty and staff  have an opportunity to "reach out and make a difference" through the Employee Giving Campaign. A new website (matc.edu/matcgivingcampaign) simplifies the donation process; it will remain open through Friday, November 4. Employees can choose among hundreds of organizations through nine local nonprofit agencies that work to enhance the quality of life in southeastern Wisconsin. The MATC Foundation, Inc. and the MPTV Friends are two of the agencies. This year's ambitious goals: $210,000 and 600 donors. Campaign co-chairs are Dr. Mohammad Dakwar, Dean, School of Business and Patricia O'Connor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty member.

Photo: Giving Campaign co-chairs Dr. Mohammad Dakwar and Patricia O'Connor were featured speakers at the August 23 Coordination Day.  

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Mequon Campus Meeting Addresses Manufacturing Skills Gap
The Mequon Campus welcomes economic development experts and regional business owners for "Addressing the Skills Gap in Manufacturing," a breakfast meeting on September 20. The two-hour gathering features a panel discussion with moderator Tim Sheehy, president of Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Scheduled participants are Paul Jadin, CEO, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; Scott Baumbach, secretary, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development; Michael Katz, Molded Dimensions and MATC District Board member, Dorothy Walker, dean, School of Technology and Applied Sciences; Mike Mallwitz, Busch Precision, Inc.; and Eric Isbister, General Metalworks Corporation. MATC President Michael L. Burke will provide a welcome.
The event is co-sponsored by MATC; Ozaukee Economic Development; Tool, Die and Machining Association of Wisconsin; and the Cedarburg, Germantown Area, Granville/Brown Deer, Grafton Area, Mequon-Thiensville and Menomonee Falls Chambers of Commerce.

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U.S. Dept. of Education Official Visits Oak Creek Campus, CBO Site
MATC played a prominent role in the September 8 Milwaukee visit of Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Dann-Messier was among the U.S. Department of Education senior officials who were part of the four-day Great Lakes region tour, "Education and the Economy: Investing in Our Future." Dann-Messier spent three hours at the Oak Creek Campus Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM), meeting with business representatives and MATC students and instructors. She also spent significant time at the HIRE Center in Milwaukee, a community-based organization (CBO), meeting with CBO representatives and MATC students and teachers. MATC's 40 partner CBOs provide critically-needed training and services for area residents. MATC instructors provide basic skills training at the CBO sites.

Photo: U.S. Department of Education official Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier tours the Oak Creek Campus Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM) during her recent Milwaukee visit. With the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Vocational and Adult Education is Jamaal Ford, a Power Engineering and Boiler Operator program student. MATC President Michael L. Burke and Technology and Applied Sciences Interim Dean Dorothy Walker (in background) helped to showcase ECAM. 

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Award Recognizes MATC's Excellence in Multiple Areas
The Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence (WCPE) recently honored MATC with its 2011 Wisconsin Forward Award. The award recognizes efforts in developing and refining processes connected to good results in student learning, workforce development, leadership, financial stability and customer focus. MATC was the only higher education institution recognized this year by the WCPE. Among MATC's many strengths, cited by the WCPE:

• Use of the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" improvement cycle, especially in strategic planning
• Strategic goals which correspond to core committees and work teams, allowing leadership to guide and grow a sustainable business model
• Valuing its workforce through professional development opportunities; employee recognition events; and seeking feedback, including through shared governance
• Institutional technology which manages quality, availability and distribution of computing resources throughout the campuses

The Wisconsin Forward Award was created in 1997 by the Governor's Council on Workforce Investment.

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MATC One of Six U.S. Sites for Robotic Welding Certification
MATC is one of six sites nationally and the only educational institution in the U.S. to have earned the distinction of being an American Welding Society Approved Testing Center in Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW). As such, the college helps to ensure CRAW industry standards throughout the region and beyond.  Lead welding program faculty member Larry Gross said the certification can be done at the West Allis Campus welding program lab or offsite at a client's facility. The August 2011 issue of Welding Journal profiled the six certification-granting entities; all are for-profit companies except for MATC. The publication touted MATC's Welding Technology associate degree program: "Two semesters of robotic study provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in industry as CRAW-credentialed manufacturing professionals."
Gross said the program's graduates are "well represented in robotic welding."

Photo: MATC is the only college in the U.S. that is an Approved Testing Center for robotic welding certification.

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Job Fair for Students September 22
MATC's JOBshop is hosting "Jobs for Students" on Thursday, September 22, on the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. More than 20 local employers will be looking to fill full- and part-time positions as well as internships and seasonal employment. The event will be held on the second floor of the Student Center. Students will be able to meet with the employers about available positions and are encouraged to dress for success. 

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