Many people believe there are greener spaces elsewhere, but I like to remind them that there is fertile ground right here.
Dr. Sadique Isahaku candidly concedes he came to MATC for personal, professional and pecuniary reasons.
“We transform lives here and that aligns with what I wanted to do,” he said. “And the pay here was very good. When I looked at the job description, I knew I could do everything in this job, and I could make more than where I was.”
Dr. Isahuku, who received his early education in Ghana and Nigeria, came to MATC in 2014 and has loved every minute of it. He serves as executive dean of academic strategy and innovation, and dean of the General Education Academic and Career Pathway.
“I’m grateful and happy to work here every day. I feel valued and I feel respected,” he said. “No place is perfect, but I feel we have a responsibility to be the best we can be in our professions.”
Before coming to MATC, Dr. Isahaku worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, coordinating the education programs and overseeing the career and technical education programs in all of the state’s adult correctional facilities. Previously, he was an assistant professor of education at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, for eight years.
He came to the United States from Norway, where he earned a degree in welfare and development economics, and taught for several years.
At MATC, Dr. Isahaku leads through trust, transparency and innovation.
“I’m not infallible, and I want those who work with me to know I am approachable,” he said. “I’m not afraid to try new things. I can be a risk-taker, but I receive support from colleagues and leaders to explore new ways of doing things.”
MATC has a diverse team of employees — 42% are people of color — who serve the students who make the college one of the most diverse two-year institutions of higher education in the Midwest.
“A healthy culture is vital to the success of any organization, especially one as diverse as ours, where inclusion, equity and social mobility are at the forefront of our work,” said MATC President Anthony Cruz, Ed.D. “Embracing inclusivity and shared goals promotes unity, stronger relationships, and a more effective approach to problem-solving and community building.”
Dr. Isahauk also doesn’t hesitate to herald the college’s successes. “MATC has accomplished many great things, and this is an excellent place to work,” he said. “Many people believe there are greener spaces elsewhere, but I like to remind them that there is fertile ground right here.”
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.