MATC to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 with extensive slate of events

Mark Feldmann, feldmam1@matc.edu

September 14, 2022

Hispanic Heritage Month graphic

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Area Technical College will honor and highlight the rich and colorful Hispanic/Latino/a culture with a wide range of events during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15.

Scheduled activities include inspirational guest speakers, a presentation about immigration law, dance lessons and performances, cultural crafts, a rice cooking class and a traditional dress contest.

The free, public events will be held at MATC’s Downtown Milwaukee, Mequon and West Allis campuses, and at the MATC Education Center at Walker’s Square. Also several events will be offered via Zoom. Visit https://www.matc.edu/community/hispanic-heritage-month/hhm-events.html for a complete calendar of activities.

See photos from 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month events

The events have been organized the MATC Latinx Unidos student organization in collaboration with Student Life and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

“As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, I encourage each one of you to make a commitment to work across differences to achieve shared goals,” said Eva Martinez Powless, MATC’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “I encourage you to make equity and inclusion a priority through unity and authentic collaboration. There is power in what you can do individually and collectively to create and sustain a welcoming, inclusive and equitable environment.”

The nation’s Hispanic Heritage Month began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. The week was expanded into a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. 

September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. 

The celebration comes as MATC continues its efforts to be recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, which would bring additional federal resources to the college.

In 2019, MATC announced plans to attain the HSI designation. The college’s goal is to have Hispanic/Latino/a students make up 25% of enrollment by 2024 – a requirement to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution. 

The Hispanic/Latino/a population in both Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee continues to grow. While the overall populations of both the county and city decreased from 2010 to 2020, the number of Hispanic/Latino/a city residents grew by almost 13,500, and by more than 26,000 in the county, according to federal census figures.

“Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to recognize and celebrate the important contributions, cultures and histories of the Hispanic community,” said Vicki J. Martin, Ph.D., MATC president. “The month is a great opportunity to celebrate a growing part of our community and our college.”

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. More than 25,000 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 170 academic programs; and transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.