No Hassle 'Panther Tracks' Creates a Seamless Path from MATC to UWM
		Thanks to Panther Tracks, a new guaranteed admission and transfer agreement, liberal arts and sciences students now have a clear, straight path from Milwaukee Area Technical College to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. If they stick to the path and keep their grades up, they can begin at MATC and be guaranteed admission at UWM, close to halfway done with their bachelor's degree. In announcing the agreement, leaders from both colleges hailed it as a breakthrough. Carlos Santiago,
UWM chancellor, noted that MATC and UWM have long worked together to increase the number of baccalaureate degree holders in metropolitan Milwaukee. UWM is by far MATC's biggest transfer partner, accepting about 300 MATC students per year. But in the past, students' transition to UWM could be fraught with various hurdles. "With this landmark agreement, we are saying to students that your work at MATC will not only count toward a UWM degree but it will also help you to succeed at UWM,”"Santiago said. Santiago said. "UWM is committed to providing broad access to our degree programs – and especially for our Milwaukee citizens. Through very positive conversations I have had with President Cole, I know we share the perspective that our partnership is critical in providing not only access – but access with success for our students. Over the years, we have found that MATC students who transfer to UWM come to us with a solid academic foundation."
"Panther Tracks could not have happened without the leadership of Dr. Santiago," said MATC President Darnell E. Cole. "It means, from a student perspective, that these two great institutions now are one in many ways. For their benefit, MATC is thrilled to strengthen ties to the leading public university in southeastern Wisconsin. My great hope is that this can be a blueprint for a guaranteed transfer agreement between MATC and the entire UW System." Three Ways to Get on the Path Panther Tracks offers students multiple entry routes: • MATC referral – Students not initially eligible to enter UWM as freshmen go to MATC for their first courses, working with counselors and instructors from both colleges. If they earn good grades, admission to UWM is guaranteed. • Guaranteed transfer – Students complete up to 54 liberal arts and sciences credits at MATC, with a GPA of 2.75 or better, while satisfying UWM’s general education requirements. They must declare for Panther Tracks before completing their first 30 credits. Satisfying those requirements likewise guarantees admission at UWM. • UWM College Connection – Students enrolled in MATC’s Liberal Arts and Sciences program can earn bachelor's degrees in their choice of three majors from UWM without needing to attend the UWM campus. MATC students remain welcome and eligible to apply to UWM through the traditional credit transfer process. For more information about MATC credit transfer, contact Barbara Cannell, (414) 297-6836, cannellb@matc.edu, or visit “Credit Transfer” at www.matc.edu. Your UWM contact is Darlene Bergman, (414) 229-2871, dbergman@uwm.edu. Program information Printer-friendly version