Graduation Ceremonies Celebrate Milestones
We will celebrate student success at spring commencement, Friday, May 20, 6 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Arena, 400 West Kilbourn Avenue. The commencement speaker is Dr. Robert M. Davis, president and CEO of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM). Dr. Davis oversees all operations of the ZSM including strategic and business planning, community education, fundraising and more. The ZSM has one of the country's largest education programs, reaching more than 200,000 people annually. It also runs global conservation projects. In addition, Dr. Davis is current chairman of the Diversity Committee of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and is advisor to the AZA Conservation Education Committee. He served on the MATC District Board  from 2007 - 2010. Prior to his work in the Milwaukee area, Dr. Davis was Vice President of Education at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo.
About 1,300 candidates for graduation will receive their degrees and diplomas at commencement. Dr. Michael L. Burke, MATC President, will confer the degrees and diplomas.
In related graduation news, MATC and its 38 Community-Based Organization partners will celebrate GED and High School Equivalency Diploma commencement June 2 at the Milwaukee Theatre, 500 West Kilbourn Avenue, beginning at 6 p.m. These graduates often have inspiring stories to tell. Many have overcome steep obstacles to achieve this milestone. Our work with the CBOs helps area residents ease back into school, gain confidence and ultimately reach their academic and occupational goals. About 450 students will graduate at the ceremony.

Photo: Dr. Robert M. Davis, president and CEO of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, is the commencement speaker for the May 20 graduation.

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Important Dates

Spring Semester Classes End
May 14, Weekend
May 19, Evening
May 20, Day and Online

Graduation
May 20, Associate Degree, Technical Diploma, Apprentice and Adult High School
June 2, GED and High School Equivalency Diploma

Registration for Summer and Fall Classes -- Ongoing

Summer Semester Classes Begin
June 10, Weekend
June 12, Online
June 13, Day and Evening

Summer Classes End
July 23, Weekend
July 25, Adult High School
July 31, Evening and Online
August 1, Day

Fall Classes Begin
August 25, Day
August 28, Online
August 31, Evening
September 9, Weekend

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New Programs Meet Employer and Student Needs
We are excited to offer two new associate degrees and one technical diploma with the start of the fall semester.
The Human Resources A.A.S. degree in the School of Business responds to a fast-growing career field, anticipated to increase by more than 20% over the next several years. The program covers effective human resource strategies and standards to help organizations reach their goals and objectives.
The Associate in Arts Accelerated Online degree satisfies the freshman and sophomore years of a bachelor's degree. The 64-credit School of Liberal Arts and Sciences program can be completed in less time than a traditional A.A. degree through its unique eight-week class sessions. Students complete 200-level classes that emphasize the humanities and social sciences.
Optician - Vision Care in the School of Health Sciences prepares students to assist patients in the selection, fitting and adjustment of eyewear and contact lenses. The 27-credit technical diploma program also prepares students to conduct preliminary eye examinations and educate patients about eyewear and contact lenses. It is a modification of the former Opticianry Science diploma program.

Photo: Students in the new Optician - Vision Care program will gain work experience in the Downtown Milwaukee Campus opticianry clinic, which fabricates lenses and dispenses eye wear. The technical diploma program is retooled from the former Opticianry Science associate degree program.

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Annual Event Recognizes Employees and Retirees
We recognized 25- and 35-year employees, part-time employees with 50 semesters or more of experience and the college's 2010-11 retirees at the annual Employee Recognition Banquet, held May 6. More than 100 faculty and staff were recognized. The constant throughout the college's evolution and tremendous growth has been a talented, committed and caring faculty and staff. Today's employees carry on a long tradition of making a difference for students and helping them succeed.

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With Soaring Gas Prices, Green Vehicles Workshop Draws a Crowd
The timing was perfect. With gasoline prices above $4 per gallon, MATC's April 29 Green Vehicles Workshop drew an enthusiastic and receptive crowd. The alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles showcased on the Student Center mall attracted much attention throughout the day. The event also featured information about industry trends and new technologies. Special thanks to Natural Sciences faculty member Dr. George Stone, who coordinated the annual event.

Photo: Hybrid vehicles attracted much attention at the Green Vehicles Workshop.

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AHS Receives New Five-Year Reaccreditation in Preliminary Report
Congratulations to Adult High School (Pre-College Education) faculty and staff. A preliminary report from the Higher Learning Commission recommends a maximum five-year reaccreditation for MATC's Adult High School (AHS). A four-person Quality Assurance Review Team conducted an extensive, on-site review April 28 and 29. The team met with students, faculty, staff and community stakeholders in addition to touring AHS classrooms and labs. A full written report will be completed soon. The AHS has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (formerly North Central Association) since 1923. Faculty and staff have been preparing for the reaccreditation and the site visit for many months. Special thanks to the efforts of Paul Carrier, Karen Gaskin, Amy Goldwater, Patrick Hanson, Elaine Hines, Mary Jefferson-Ganya, Tom Joachim, Pat Kappel, Charmaine Kuczmarski, Kevin Mulvenna, Roz Peppers and Jose Talavera.

Photo: The visiting Quality Assurance Review team (from left): Dr. Willie Hart, Dr. Larry Martin, Carole Culbreath and Bernie Ferry recommended a five-year maximum reaccreditation for the Adult High School.

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High School Students Experience Real TV
High school girls 16 years and older are invited to explore TV careers through the Television and Video Production Summer Camp. Students choose one of two, one-week sessions offered at the Milwaukee Public Television studios, June 13 - 17 or June 20 - 24, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Titled "Better Than Reality TV - A Real TV Experience," the camp will be taught by MATC faculty from the TV and Video Production associate degree program. There is no charge and students can earn one college credit. Students will experience a variety of television production career areas through camera operating, directing, editing, lighting, sound and more. Space is limited and the registration deadline is May 27. Contact Nutan Amrute at 414-297-7334 or  amruten@matc.edu. In addition, two other camps for high school students will be held this summer at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus -- Culinary Camp and Biomedical Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST).

Photo: Two one-week summer camps in TV and Video Production are offered to high school students at the MPTV studios.  

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2011-12 Catalog Available Online and in Print
The college's 2011-12 catalog is now available at http://matc.edu/student/newstudent/Catalog.html. The comprehensive 308-page guide to all MATC programs, courses and services is also available in limited print quantities through Printing Services. Programs are grouped in four separate sections: A.A./A.S. degrees, A.A.S. degrees, technical diplomas and certificates.

The cover of the 2011-12 catalog features an MATC centennial theme.

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Students Become Business Managers in Campus Competition
Local and national charities benefited from the work of students in the Business Organization and Management class, part of the Business Management associate degree program. As an integral part of the course's curriculum, students plan for on-campus beverage sales, price products, manage expenses and acquire inventory. They compete in small group teams selling their products (coffee, bottled water, soda and snacks) at the Mequon, Oak Creek and West Allis campuses. They also market and manage their business -- hopefully at a profit. Business Management program instructor Judy Reinders said the competition is creative and keen; she compared it to the television show "The Apprentice," in which contestants generate ideas, plan and execute a business model. Campus location, choice of products and marketing are among the factors that determine the students' success. Student teams have earned more than $3,000 and donated all to charities.
"Students say this is their best project because it is fun, and they learn how challenging it is to forecast sales, inventory needs and expenses," Reinders said. Students from Roy Vargas' and Del Wakley's classes are also involved in the competition.

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West Allis Campus Students and Employees Lead Neighborhood Clean-up
The West Allis Campus is deeply rooted in its residential neighborhood and often participates in community outreach efforts, including an annual clean-up of the surrounding area. The most recent was held April 30 as a belated Earth Day effort. West Allis Campus students and employees volunteered to pick up litter in a one-mile perimeter around the campus. The West Allis Campus Student Senate collaborated with Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful on the project.

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Two HIT Tracks Go Online, Second Year Funding Secured
Two recent developments have helped to bolster MATC's Health Information Technology (HIT) certificate program.
First, the program's Clinician/Practitioner Consultant and the Practice Workflow and Information Management Redesign Specialist tracks will begin as online programs in June. A total of four program tracks are offered. The two others are Implementation Support Specialist and Technical/Software Support Staff. 
Second, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded MATC $325,551 to fund the second and final year of the HIT program.
The program is a response to a federal mandate requiring U.S. health care providers to develop accurate, well-protected electronic patient care records that can be accessed by all authorized health care providers. The goal is to improve the quality of health care by ensuring patients' medical history is considered in treatment. The federal mandate is called the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH). MATC is one of only 17 colleges in the Midwest Community College Consortia to offer the programs. It is estimated that up to 200,000 new HIT jobs will be created by 2015. For more information, see: http://matc.edu/student/offerings/Health_Information_technology.html.

Photo: The first graduates from the Health Information Technology certificate program celebrate their recent completion of the new program. Gathering with the graduates at the West Allis Campus is Dr. Richard Ammon (far right), School of Health Sciences associate dean.

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Student Newspaper Receives Two Awards
Congratulations to the MATC Times student newspaper for earning two awards from the American Scholastic Press Association. The paper received awards for First Place with Special Merit and for Outstanding Overall Photography. Sarah Aguado was the student editor for the issues judged and Jim Tavernese was the photo editor. Instructor Bob Hanson is the MATC Times advisor.

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News and Notes
Kelly Dries, associate dean, Health Sciences; and Paul Mansfield, Physical Therapy Assistant, have traveled to Finland, leaving May 14, as part of the two-week Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP). Safe travels to Kelly and Paul.