MATC Alumni News

BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT

Amy Ullsperger, Marketing Management and Small Business Training, is now a strategic account director at RJ Schinner Co., a national redistribution specialist based in Menomonee Falls.

COMMUNITY & HUMAN SERVICES

Joe Flick, Fire Science, was promoted to fire captain at the Milwaukee Fire Department in May 2025. In June 2025, he earned a bachelor’s degree in fire and emergency response from management from the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh. He wrote on LinkedIn, “Working towards this degree at this ‘advanced’ stage of life was not easy, but it was most definitely worth it. I could not have done it without the support of my family and encouragement of my leadership in the Milwaukee Fire Department.”

Tim Heiman, Fire Science, was appointed fire chief for the city of Oshkosh. Chief Heiman has more than 20 years of fire and emergency management experience, including 10 years as a command-level officer and supervisor.

Tokara Henry, Human Service Associate, was recognized by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin for her work with Sickle Cell Warriors of Wisconsin, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease. The loss of a loved one inspired Henry

Shauna Morris-Patterson, Human Service Associate, won the President’s Award, a districtwide recognition that honors academic achievement, college contributions and community involvement, at the 2024 Winter Commencement. She took courses at MATC while raising her daughter and establishing her nonprofit, Faith in Humanity Inc. “It has been a journey,” she said. “I have had a wonderful experience at MATC. The college has done an amazing job hiring accommodating and understanding staff, and they should be commended for that.”

CREATIVE ARTS, DESIGN & MEDIA

Kimberly Adams, Baking and Pastry Arts, will be on one of six teams competing against Duff Goldman, pastry chef and former “Ace of Cakes” star. Adams, a Milwaukee cake artist and the owner of Signature Sweets, received recognition as one of BizTimes’ 2023 Women of Influence.

Hannah Castaneda, Animation, was hired as a drone show designer at Northern Lights Drone Shows, a company based in Caledonia, Wisconsin, that blends “cutting-edge technology, artistic creativity and a deep passion for aerial entertainment” to produce custom shows.

Stephanie Bartz, Photography, showed her work in “Breaking Barriers: Women in the Workforce,” an exhibit on display at MATC during Women’s History Month. The show featured 18 black-and-white portraits of women in all kinds of occupations, including firefighter, pilot, aircraft maintenance technician, bus driver and plumber. “I have a long, long list of people I’d love to shoot,” Bartz said. “I’m also working on getting some funding because right now I’m self-funding the project. It would be great to get some support for a project like this.”

Jaquawn Gaston, Audio Production, realized his lifelong dream of performing at Summerfest when he played an hour-long set on opening day. “This is a big day for me,” Gaston, who performs under the stage name Rap J, told the crowd before starting his set. “I knew I could make it here someday, and today I did.” Gaston was featured on Fox Channel 6 and WISN Channel 12.

HEALTHCARE

Alda Malaveci, Registered Nursing, was awarded the Maxine Mann Leadership Award at MATC’s nursing pinning ceremony in May 2025. Malaveci works in a progressive care unit at Columbia St. Mary’s and volunteers at a clinic in Walker’s Point. “I’m so glad I went down this path. This is my calling,” Malaveci said. “It’s so important to be happy with what you do. And I am happy and proud to be an MATC graduate.”

GENERAL EDUCATION

John Goelz, Associate of Arts and Sciences, was named vice president of digital strategy and portfolio at HP. Previously, he was vice president of global logistics at Rockwell Automation.

Eleazar Lopez Jr., Associate of Arts, joined Thrivent, a financial services company, as market director.

Warren Murphy, Associate of Arts, won the President’s Award at the 2025 Spring Commencement. He served as managing editor of the MATC Times, helping the student newspaper win six awards from the College Media Association.

MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION

Johanna O’Boyle, Landscape Horticulture, competed at the 2024 International Tree Climbing Championship. The MATC alumna and part-time Landscape Horticulture instructor finished 25th at the event, which drew climbers from all over the world. Her first-place victories in the 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024 at the Wisconsin Arborist Association female state championships earned her a spot in the international competition. She is the owner of Ursa Minor Tree Care.

STEM

Danielle Johnson, Information Technology, was promoted to the position of Associate Director at Safe & Sound Inc., a nonprofit organization that works to improve Milwaukee neighborhoods.