MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Area Technical College has further increased its commitment to becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by adding a Spanish-language sub-site within its primary website, matc.edu.
The Spanish language content can be reached via an “En Español'' icon on the top of matc.edu, which allows visitors to connect to the Spanish site. The move makes MATC’s website more accessible to native Spanish speakers by offering a variety of college information, including sections on academic advisors, student aid, and bilingual assistance. For students whose first language is not English, MATC offers English as a Second Language, Spanish-language high school completion programs and English-Spanish bilingual programs.
“We are very excited to be able to build inclusive resources for Spanish-speaking students as one of our efforts to address language barriers and equity gaps,” said MATC Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Eva Martinez Powless. “This effort will help many students feel included and part of the MATC community.”
“Our team is proud to offer this important option to the community we all share,” MATC Chief Marketing Officer Tony Tagliavia said. “We are grateful for the ongoing partnership with our Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and our Hispanic-Serving Institution steering committee to bring this vision to reality.”
In 2018, MATC President Dr. Vicki Martin announced that national HSI certification would be a goal for the college, citing its mission to provide quality education to the communities it serves – including the Milwaukee area’s large Hispanic population. To become classified as an HSI, the school must have at least 25 percent Hispanic undergraduate full-time equivalent student enrollment. MATC’s Hispanic population has grown from about 16 percent to more than 18 percent as it works toward reaching 25 percent by 2024.
Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. Nearly 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 150 academic programs; and transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 35 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.