The Milwaukee Area Technical College District Board has named Dr. Vicki J. Martin the college’s 10th president. She assumed the role Wednesday, July 2. Martin has served MATC since 1988 and most recently was the college's Executive Vice President and Provost.
“We are confident that Dr. Martin will provide strong leadership for the college,” said Bobbie Webber, Chairperson of the MATC District Board. “Throughout her career she has been an advocate for our students and understands the critical role MATC plays in the success and growth of local businesses.”
“I appreciate this opportunity and am committed to making MATC the premier comprehensive technical college that enriches, empowers and transforms lives,” said Martin. “Student success and innovation are my priorities. I am committed to enhancing the region through the college’s numerous services and programs and developing strong relationships with our business community."
As the college’s chief academic officer since 2007, Martin facilitated many critical initiatives, including:
- Implementation of Career Pathways - integrated programs and services intended to develop students’ core academic, technical, and employable skills
- Creation of Faculty Innovation Center and Women in Technology Center on the Downtown Milwaukee Campus;
- Expansion of manufacturing and health programs to the MATC Education Center at Walker’s Square and Health Education Center, respectively;
- Growth of Service and Engaged Learning efforts in all academic programs
- Introduction of Innovation Grants for faculty and staff totaling more than $300,000;
- Establishment and expansion of new interdisciplinary areas of study, including environmental and sustainability studies; creative technologies; entrepreneurial studies; information technology; food and beverage management, technology and manufacturing;
- Strengthened relationships with area school districts and increased high school articulation agreements, through which high school students earn college credit.
Prior to becoming provost, Martin was vice president of MATC’s Oak Creek Campus and director of strategic planning for three years (2004-2007). She played a key role in the development of the Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM) Center, which led to new curriculum creation and partnerships with local and regional businesses and manufacturers.
From 1998-2004, Martin oversaw MATC’s strategic planning and research efforts, instituting quality improvement plans and increasing the collection and analysis of data in decision-making processes.
In 1996, Martin was promoted to regional campus team leader for the Oak Creek Campus, the college’s largest regional campus, and served in that role for two years. During her tenure in this position, she expanded relationships with external constituents and enhanced high school articulation agreements with area school districts.
She was the student services director at MATC’s Oak Creek Campus from 1988-96 and oversaw registration, admissions, assessment, financial aid, orientation, advising, counseling, and scheduling. Martin initiated the implementation of admissions and advising services for Hispanic and Hmong students.
Prior to coming to MATC, she served as dean of students at Milwaukee’s Carroll College/Columbia College of Nursing from 1984-88. She had previously worked as a student counselor from 1980-1984 at Carroll/Columbia. Martin began her professional career as a counselor/advisor at UW-Milwaukee’s School of Nursing in 1979.
The Milwaukee native holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UW-Milwaukee, master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota (counseling and guidance) and Cardinal Stritch University (business management), and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from UW-Madison. Martin has served as an adjunct professor at Cardinal Stritch, focusing on courses in management and leadership.
Martin replaced Dr. Michael L. Burke who served as MATC’s president since 2010 and left the college to become chancellor at the Riverside Community College District in Riverside, Calif.