Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

EVA MARTINEZ POWLESS

Eva Martinez Powless is MATC’s chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. Ms. Martinez Powless is a seasoned diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner with over 18 years of combined experience in higher education and nonprofit administration. She has held positions at Marquette University as Assistant Dean of Admissions, Director of the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Director of Diversity and Inclusion. 

Ms. Martinez Powless earned a Bachelor of Arts from Alverno College and master’s degree in Public Service (Leadership Specialization) from Marquette University, where she is currently a doctoral candidate in the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, Higher Education and Leadership. She was a first-generation and low-income college student, which propelled her commitment to college access and success.

Contact: 414-297-6491 | marte176@matc.edu

DR. WILMA L. BONAPARTE

Dr. Wilma L. Bonaparte has served Milwaukee Area Technical College for over 25 years. Bonaparte was the first MATC District-wide Director of Bilingual/Basic Skills Programs and founder of the MATC - Urban Teacher Education Program in 1988. During her tenure, she has served the college in various roles, at all 4 campuses and in most academic departments at the college.  Her positions included Associate Dean, Manager of the Counseling & Testing Center at the West Allis Campus and Dean of MATC's School of Liberal Arts and Sciences before assuming the role of Executive Director (former title Vice-President) of the Mequon Campus. Dr. Bonaparte has worked in other four and two year institutions (including Puerto Rico) as an administrator and faculty member.

Dr. Bonaparte holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, a Certificate in Leadership from Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management, A Transformational Leadership Certificate from Cardinal Stritch University, a Master's of Education from Penn State University and a Bachelor in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Bonaparte has ensured that the diverse language learners and marginalized/non-traditional populations have better access and success in Higher Education.

Dr. Bonaparte was selected as one of the “28 Most Powerful Latinos" in Wisconsin in 2017 and received a  “Game Changer in Education Award" from the NAACP in 2017. In 2014, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), Milwaukee Chapter, awarded her with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her efforts to improve the lives and educational opportunities of children, parents and child care providers in the Greater Milwaukee Community.

As Project Director and DEI Grant Committee Co-Chair, she oversees the budget and provides synergetic collaboration with the HSI Task Force.

Contact: 262-238-2276 | bonaparw@matc.edu

DR. ARTURO MARTINEZ

Dr. Martinez has been appointed to serve in various national committees, including serving on the US Hispanic congressional committee on Hispanic Affairs.  Received the  National LULAC State Director award at the 2015 National conference in Utah. In 2015 Dr. Martinez received two outstanding awards.  He was awarded the 2015 UMOS “Hispanic Man of the Year” and also received the Eagles Award from the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation in 2015.  In 2018 Dr. Martinez was awarded the Bridges to Opportunity Award by the TransCenter of Youth. 

Dr. Martinez has been a presenter at various national conferences including: Migrant Association of Farmworkers Organization (MAFO), National Association of State Directors of Migrant Education (NASDME), U.S. Department of Migrant Education (OME), Milwaukee Jobs for the Future 2013 conference, and at various Wisconsin Technical College System, state conferences, where he has presented topics in education, and organizational development.  Most recently in 2018 he was a presenter at the COABE national conference in Phoenix, Arizona.  He served as the key note speaker for the 2009 LULAC State Migrant Conference. 

Dr. Martinez earned his Ph.D. in May of 2008.  His dissertation titled “Living in a Dream” the experience of Adult Immigrants in an Adult Education program, captured the experience of 15 adult immigrants who pursue an adult education in Post-Secondary Education, GED, and/or ESL. 

Contact: 414-297-6803 | martinas@matc.edu

MYRA GEORGE

Myra George is the Project Coordinator and DEI Committee Co-Chair. In addition, Myra is a full-time faculty member in MATC's English Department. She has spent her entire career working towards equitable access to higher education for historically marginalized students, first as an English teacher at Shaw University, a historically black college in North Carolina, and later as an associate director in the Marquette University Educational Opportunity Program. In her more than a dozen years at Marquette, she directed two TRIO programs: the Student Support Services program and Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, helping underrepresented students gain entry to doctoral programs.  After leaving Marquette, she moved to Massachusetts and had her first experience teaching in the community college arena. She has spent more than 15 years at MATC and co-chairs the Accreditation Steering Committee, the General Education CLA Committee, and supports the General Education Pathway. Together with former Committee member Equan Burrows, she co-chairs the Equity and Diversity committee for the African American Network, an employee affinity group at MATC.

As Project Coordinator and DEI Grant Committee Co-Chair, Ms. George created the DEI website (and now maintains it), leads annual strategic planning of the programming, organizes the activity calendar, secures subject matter experts to lead workshops, writes the triannual reports, writes the surveys, and carries out the day-to-day work of the Committee.  She led the work to bring Prof. Ibram Kendi and Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. to the campus and community.

Myra holds an M.A. degree in English from The Ohio State University and a B.A.S. degree from Bennett College, an all Black women's college. She has also completed the Equity and Inclusion certificate from Cornell University and the Social Justice Facilitation certificate program with Paul Gorski. She is a member of the National Assn of Diversity Officers in Higher Education and a life member of the NAACP.  

Contact: 414-238-2268 | georgem@matc.edu