MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

It is with great pleasure that I announce to you our new Vice President for Learner Success, Terrance S. Webb. Terry brings invaluable expertise and experience to this position in addition to his in-depth understanding of the Wisconsin Technical College System and his loyalty to MATC. Thank you to all who sent me your opinions and evaluation forms. It was evident that Terry enjoys much support from our faculty and staff. Please join me in congratulating Terry!

Last week our hallways once again were filled with students and, as always, it was a pleasure to welcome them to the beginning of their semester, or in many cases of their college careers. Enrollments are on pace compared with last year, though we still could improve our numbers in some areas.

ACCT Awards
I have more exciting news to share! We have been informed that BOTH of our submissions for Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) awards have been chosen as regional winners:

The ACCT Equity Nomination (WORD: 80KB) recognizes the exemplary commitment by a community, technical or junior college governing board and its chief executive officer to achieve equity in the college’s education programs. Categories include enrollment; successful completion; participation in better paying, higher mobility college majors; campus environment; employment and promotion; involvement of college in minority community; representation of board of trustees, committees and advisory groups of the college; and contract and vendor participation with the college.

The ACCT Faculty Member Award (WORD: 60KB) recognizes an instructor who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and learning. Categories include innovative programs, technical or special committees, leadership in solving two-year postsecondary education challenges, state and national association support, and awards and honors. Lisa Seidman, biotechnology instructor, was selected regional winner in this category.

ACCT will honor our Midwest regional winners at the organization’s Leadership Congress being held in New York in October. Even more exciting, both nominations are automatically in the running for national awards, which will be announced and presented at the Leadership Congress.

Election Day is September 9
The primary legislative candidate forum was held last week with 16 candidates participating. The forum was sponsored by our Legislative Network. Organizers included John Alt, Bill Bessette, Sue Carter, Jackye Dahlke, Joe Lowndes, John Stransky, Paula Symons, Diane Walleser, Terry Webb and David Shonkwiler. Thanks go to Corey Helser and Vicki Saffran for coordinating the forum.

As I mentioned last week, look for voter registration tables this fall at the Truax cafeteria on September 16 and at the MATC Downtown campus on September 17. MATC Matters will post details soon. It is our duty to vote and to encourage our students to vote.

New Program to Support Male Students of Color
The focus of the new Minority Males Mentoring Scholars Program (3MSP) is to provide male students of color mentorship opportunities through work study, weekly peer group activities and assigned MATC staff mentors within the college. The overall goal of the 3MSP is to increase retention, academic and personal success, and create a sense of “community� among participants.

Organizers are asking for help to identify students who may benefit from the program and are looking for work opportunities for these students. Mentors also are needed. Thanks to the Office of Diversity and Community Relations, Student Development Center and Financial Aid Office staff for the development of this exciting mentoring program and for the Foundation Office for funding through an Innovation Grant.

Veterans’ Benefits Open House
There are still a lot of questions about education benefits and services for student veterans. That’s why we’re teaming up with the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs to host a Veterans’ Benefits Open House this Thursday, September 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the north hallway near the Mitby Theater. Please encourage your veteran students to attend. Veterans Affairs staff and MATC officials will be on hand to discuss federal and state education programs and veterans’ benefits, and help veterans apply for the services. The Dane County Veterans Service Officer and representatives from the Wisconsin National Guard will also be at MATC.

Garden sheds
Students from the MATC Construction and Remodeling Program are looking for buyers for their garden sheds. Projects such as this help our students gain practical real world experience—and provide quality structures at a great price—a win-win for students and staff.

MATC Marvels
Megan Snowdon, a May 2008 graduate of our Clinical Laboratory Technician program, had the highest score in the country for spring 2008 graduates taking their national board of registry exam for Clinical Laboratory Technician/Medical Laboratory Technician certification. This was a national exam with 536 examinees from the spring cycle of graduates. The national score average is 484 (out of 900). Our average CLT Program score for all students was 631. Megan’s individual score was 847. Her CLT instructors were: Mary Nelson, Sue Beglinger, Leah Narans and Peggy Schroeder.

Highlights of my week:

• attended College Council;
• met with the executive board of our Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel (PSRP) union;
• attended the United Way’s 2008 “Days of Caring” campaign kick-off at Warner Park;
• interviewed a final candidate for our Dean of Health and Safety position;
• attended a meeting of the Dane County Public Affairs Council;
• heard from John Wiley at the Rotary Club of Madison, where he reflected on issues with the legislature and the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce;
• hosted “Welcome Back to Schoolâ€? receptions for community leaders and new full-time faculty;
• attended Downtown Madison Inc.’s “What Up Downtown” where the topic “The Wisconsin Idea At Work in the 21st Century: The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery and Morgridge Institute for Research” was discussed;
• attended our Legislative Candidate Forum on campus and welcomed the 16 legislative candidates who were in attendance;
• met with Barbara Thompson, superintendent for the New Glarus School District; and
• met with Dan Clancy, WTCS president.

In closing, here is a quote by Socrates that an instructor in health shared with me:

“Education is not the filling of a vessel, but the kindling of a flame.”

Have a great second week of the semester!

Bettsey