Collaboration, with each other, with businesses and foundations, and with faculty and parents, has resulted in more MPS students pursuing higher education.
Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee certainly work well together.
A partnership between the three educational entities called M³ (pronounced M-cubed) has won an award for intergovernmental cooperation from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan, independent organization that analyzes issues affecting local governments, school districts, and the state.
Representatives of the M³ partners — MATC President Anthony Cruz, MPS Interim Superintendent Eduardo Galván and UWM Chancellor Mark Mone, Ph.D. — accepted the award November 13 at the forum’s 32nd annual Salute to Local Government event at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee.
“We know that we can do so much more together than any of our organizations could accomplish individually,” Dr. Mone said at the event.
Dr. Mone praised the work of employees at all three institutions and acknowledged the generous support of the initiative’s philanthropic partners.
“Collaboration, with each other, with businesses and foundations, and with faculty and parents, has resulted in more MPS students pursuing higher education,” Dr. Mone said. “And we know education improves life outcomes for these students, which has a positive, cascading effect on our communities.”
Since its creation in January 2015, M3 has worked to transform the future of Milwaukee through education by increasing graduation and retention rates, preparing a skilled workforce, and creating an entrepreneurial mindset among students that encourages growth and career success.
As the partnership approaches the close of its first decade, it has yielded substantial results, according to the 2024 M³ Impact Report.
More than 700 MPS 12th graders have earned 8,000 college credits at UWM or MATC as part of M³ College Connections, saving almost $2.6 million in tuition.
In 2024, nearly 900 MPS 11th grade students took advantage of M³ Milwaukee Direct Admit, which allows juniors at any MPS high school to apply for free and be accepted into MATC and UWM.
Nearly 1,000 MPS college-bound seniors participated in the first two years of Smart Start, a program that engages MPS students interested in college during the spring and summer before college, then helps them navigate the first semester at MATC or UWM.
More than 3,100 faculty and staff from the three institutions have met to improve students’ learning transition from middle and high school to higher education.
More than 5,000 MPS students have explored careers at M³ work-based learning job fairs, and 10,000 MPS ninth and 10th grade students toured MATC and UWM campuses as part of M³ academic and career planning efforts.
The M³ partnership’s executive leadership is transitioning with Dr. Cruz as the new president of MATC and Galván as the interim superintendent of MPS. Also, a new chancellor is expected at UWM in 2025 to replace Mone, who is returning to teaching.
“As leaders, we remain committed to this impactful partnership and the shared infrastructure we have built to advance it,” said Dr. Cruz, who started at MATC in July.
M³ is no stranger to recognition for its efforts, In October 2019, the partnership earned an award at the University Economic Development Association’s national conference. M³ was lauded for showing how putting the right people in the right environment can benefit the community and economy.
About M³ (M-cubed): Founded in the spring of 2015, M³ seeks to transform the future of Milwaukee through education. Through collaboration, coordination and partnership, MPS, MATC and UWM will increase the retention, graduation and career success of our students and provide a prepared workforce and citizenry for the Wisconsin economy. M³ will also provide the education and resources to help drive an entrepreneurial mindset for all students to increase choices and opportunities for growth.
About MATC: As 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 30,000 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 180 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.