You can walk proudly into the next phase of your life as an MATC graduate.
In his homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Marcel Kamba worked as a doctor, an important and influential man who helped his patients stay healthy.
On Thursday, December 11, Kamba stood before hundreds of people at Milwaukee Area Technical College as a simple husband and father, an industrious student earning a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) to help improve the lives of his family.
“When I came to the United States, I realized I needed to continue my education,” said Kamba, who worked at Amazon at night and attended classes during the day. “Getting my HSED will open the door to better opportunities and a secure future for my children.”
Kamba was one of more than 300 students who received their HSEDs and General Educational Development (GED) certificates on December 11 at a spirited graduation ceremony at MATC’s Cooley Auditorium.
See TV coverage of the ceremony
The ceremony recognized students who graduated from MATC and four community-based educational partners — Emerging Scholars, Literacy Services of Wisconsin, UMOS Inc. and YWCA Southeast Wisconsin.
“You have taken a life changing step in your educational journey,” MATC President Anthony Cruz told the graduates. “You have shown a capacity and willingness to say yes — yes to getting up early, yes to working and taking care of your family while going to class.”
Dr. Cruz added, “You have only scratched the surface of your potential. Never stop learning. MATC stands by, ready to partner with you on whatever path you want to take.”
Deniece Fields Russell, an educator, author, businesswoman and consultant, delivered an energetic, vibrant keynote address to the graduates and guests.
“You should be excited; you have reached your goal today,” Russell said. “But what are you going to do now? You are a graduate today. You need to remember who you were yesterday, who you are today and what you want to be tomorrow.
“You can walk proudly into the next phase of your life as an MATC graduate,” Russell added.
Kamba, one of three student speakers at the ceremony, plans to return to MATC and take classes. His dream is to practice as a family physician in the United States. “I moved here to improve myself and my family,” he said. “Today I am proud at how far I have come.”
Tinisha Brown, who earned her HSED through Literacy Services of Wisconsin, also wants to be a role model for her children. She dropped out of high school years ago when she became pregnant as a teenager. She worked as a certified nurse assistant before deciding to get her high school credential.
“I felt like I owed it to myself and my children,” she told the audience. “It’s never too late to pursue your dream. Go out and chase your dreams because they’re waiting for you.”
Vinice Jackson, who earned her HSED through the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, thought she graduated high school in 2005, only to find out the school she attended was not accredited and then closed down.
“I was left in tears, and I could have given up,” she said. “Instead, I detoured and started over. I’m here to tell all of you to keep going, to just keep going. You will get there.”
Learn more about MATC’s GED and HSED programs
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 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.
