If you wish to share an MATC Alumni News update, please send it to MATCalumni@matc.edu.
If you’d like to start a scholarship in honor of an MATC alumnus or alumna, email Donor Relations Coordinator Bob Holland at hollanrj@matc.edu.
BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT
Danaz Bailey, Fashion Marketing, launched an online boutique, FineVines4U. Featuring street-chic apparel and accessories at walletfriendly prices, it offers hundreds of items including dresses, jumpsuits, sweaters, outerwear, shoes and handbags.
Jasmin Treske, Business Management, was named manager of tech programs and community outreach for the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, a nonprofit that aims to grow and diversify Milwaukee’s tech community.
COMMUNITY & HUMAN SERVICES
Eryka S. Cunningham, Human Service Associate, was honored with the Outstanding Associate Degree Graduate Award and gave the student address at the December 2021 commencement ceremony. Here is an excerpt from her inspirational speech: “In a time of division, broken values and dangerous uncertainties, I dare to call your attention to the holistic beauty of this moment. Because one day, you may look back at the experience you had at this great institution and realize the greatest building wasn’t the college itself. It was the building of your character within the frame of your integrity.”
Herbert Davis, Criminal Justice, was featured in numerous Milwaukee news reports in early 2022 after being injured in the line of duty. The Milwaukee police officer and Cincinnati Bengals fan was the recipient of a free trip to Super Bowl LVI thanks to a local fundraising effort.
Marisol Mendoza, Legal Studies/ Paralegal, works for the City of Milwaukee, focusing on civil rights and labor law. She had received scholarships to attend Marquette University, where she studied criminology and legal studies.
Scott Owen, Fire Science, retired as a fire and rescue chief after his 25-year career serving the citizens of Marshfield, Wis. He shared that, “I went to a career event at MATC and took three courses. I started looking into firefighting and the rest, as they say, is history.”
David Tate Jr., Early Childhood Education, was featured on TMJ4 News (WTMJ-TV) regarding MATC’s innovative apprenticeship program with Next Door, which attracts and retains early education teachers to serve in some of Milwaukee’s most under-resourced neighborhoods
CREATIVE ARTS, DESIGN & MEDIA
Jason Alston, Culinary Arts, owner of Heaven’s Table BBQ in Milwaukee, opened a new restaurant location in the Washington Heights neighborhood in December 2021. Alston also was featured by TMJ4 News (WTMJ-TV) in February 2022 for a program he created to help other minority entrepreneurs get the training they need to make their dreams come true.
Paul Bartolotta, Culinary Arts, two-time James Beard Award winner, and chef and owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants, returned to MATC in April 2022 to visit with students, share stories of his career journey and tour the MATC kitchens.
Karen Bell, Culinary Arts, was a finalist for best chef, Midwest, in the 2022 James Beard Awards. The mission of the James Beard Awards is to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media and the broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability and a culture where all can thrive.
Rosetta Bond, Culinary Arts, was chosen from more than two dozen other applicants to receive the contents of the Tandem restaurant and operate her own restaurant at the Milwaukee site after impressing the decision panel with her flavors and flair. Bond opened a soul food restaurant, 1700 Pull Up, this spring.
Megan Gajewski, Culinary Arts, was profiled by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in January 2022. She opened her own business as a personal chef in 2019 called Morsel Chef and prepares meals in homes throughout the Milwaukee area.
Tonya Garrido, Culinary Arts, was featured in the Shepherd Express in May 2022 for her work as head chef at Harwood Place Retirement Community in Wauwatosa, where she creates their unique international meals.
Gordie Gohr, Commercial Art, recently celebrated 20 years as the owner of Gohr Creative Services. His story is part of MATC’s Alumni Voices, matc.edu/ foundation/alumni/voices.
Sara Lewkowski, Baking and Pastry Arts, expanded her business with the opening of Supernova Coffee & Doughnuts in Milwaukee’s 3rd Street Market Hall.
Joe Muench, Culinary Arts, was named an outstanding restaurateur semifinalist in the 2022 James Beard Awards. Muench is chef/owner at Black Shoe Hospitality.
John Suess, Commercial Art, exhibited 30 works at the Wauwatosa Public Library in July 2021. The pieces were a selection from his “Road Trips” series, featuring rural scenes from locations around southeastern Wisconsin and a wide variety of florals.
Because one day, you may look back at the experience you had at this great institution and realize the greatest building wasn't the college itself. It was the building of your character within the frame of your integrity.
GENERAL EDUCATION
Reuben Harpole, was described by Milwaukee Magazine in March 2022 as “Milwaukee’s other mayor” because his work in the community is so extensive. Now retired, he served as senior outreach specialist at the UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education – University Center for Urban Community Development for 31 years. Check out his interview for MATC’s Alumni Voices, matc.edu/ foundation/alumni/voices.
La Toya Sykes, Associate of Arts, president and CEO of Our Next Generation Kids, was featured on the TMJ4 News (WTMJ-TV) television program “Milwaukee Tonight” in July 2022. The nonprofit organization she has led since 2014 provides academic support and enrichment programs for students in kindergarten through high school. She also was featured on MATC’s Alumni Voices, matc.edu/ foundation/alumni/voices.
HEALTHCARE
Tanya Fenninger, Nursing Assistant, was included in a Borderless Magazine article for her success in quickly finding a job after graduation. The story looked at strategies two-year colleges are implementing to support students and make college more attainable.
Pakou Thao, Dental Assistant, completed her technical diploma as a dual enrollment student, attending both MATC and Brookfield East High School her senior year. Thao not only excelled in the classroom but secured a job in the field following graduation.
Imunique Triplett, Practical Nursing, earned her MATC diploma ahead of her Rufus King International High School graduation. She was the first Milwaukee Public Schools student to complete the M³ College Connections dual enrollment nursing program at the college while still in high school.
STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS)
Patrick Torhorst, eCommerce & Web Administration, is chief information officer at Quest CE. In October 2021, he was interviewed for MATC Alumni Voices (matc.edu/foundation/alumni/voices) and discussed the vital impact MATC had in providing the skills he needed.
Joel Woppert, Networking and Infrastructure Administration, was appointed to the Wisconsin Cyber Response Team in August 2021. He is the information security officer and IT infrastructure manager for Washington County.
MATC ALUMNI NETWORK
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EMAIL: MATCalumni@matc.edu VISIT: matc.edu/alumni