MATC Making Meaningful Progress to Become More Welcoming

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives bearing fruit

Mark Feldmann, feldmam1@matc.edu

April 05, 2023

DEI Lunch and Learn

We’re serious about MATC being recognized across the nation as a welcoming, equitable and safe place that understands and appreciates cultural differences. Diversity, equity and inclusion work is everyone’s work.

Eva Martinez Powless, Ph.D. Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Officer

MILWAUKEE – In the past two years, Milwaukee Area Technical College has done much to become more diverse, more equitable and more inclusive.

But the college can do more to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion for all students and staff, said Eva Martinez Powless, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Officer.

“Even though we are one of the most diverse colleges in the state and in the Midwest, that doesn’t always translate into diversity, equity and inclusion,” Dr. Martinez Powless told MATC students and staff on Tuesday, April 4. “There can always be improvement. We are always striving to do more.”

Dr. Martinez Powless discussed the college’s on-going DEI efforts at the first of five DEI Lunch & Learns being held this month at the college’s five campus areas. 

Dr. Martinez Powless has also hosted a presentation at the West Allis Campus, and will have them at the Mequon Campus, the MATC Education Center at Walker’s Square and the Oak Creek Campus:

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, April 6
Mequon Campus (Room A289)

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 19
Walker’s Square (Cyber Cafe, Room 488)

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, April 20
Oak Creek Campus (Room A241)

At the first session Tuesday, April 4, held at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, Dr. Martinez Powless outlined the college’s five-year DEI plan – which aims to make MATC welcoming and inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti-racist – and highlighted the progress made so far.

“In two years we have been able to accomplish a lot,” she said.

The college appointed Dr. Martinez Powless as the first chief DEI officer in 2021, opened a centralized DEI office in October 2022 and has increased the number of staff working on DEI initiatives, she said.

The college also has developed affinity groups, trained inclusion champions, increased the diversity of search committees, began creating an equity dashboard, and boosted the retention of students of color, she added.

Making MATC as diverse, equitable and inclusive as possible won’t happen overnight, Dr. Martinez Powless said. There are many things students and staff can do to help make that happen, she said, such as:

  • Become familiar with the college’s DEI Plan
  • Incorporate DEI objectives into annual goals
  • Be aware of biases and racism in the workplace or classroom
  • Participate in affinity groups
  • Become an inclusion champion

Dr. Martinez Powless also urged students and staff to speak out about behaviors that don’t align with MATC values when they see or hear it.

“This is not the time to take a backseat or to stay silent,” she said. “We’re serious about MATC being recognized across the nation as a welcoming, equitable and safe place that understands and appreciates cultural differences. Diversity, equity and inclusion work is everyone’s work.”

Find out more about MATC's DEI efforts

About MATC: 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 — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide 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.