MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I just returned from the American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference where we received two wonderful awards. First, our student Jacob Ferina was recognized as Wisconsin’s New Century Scholar, and Marjorie Cook, marketing and enrollment administrative specialist, was one of two recipients of a $3,000 Doctoral Scholarship sponsored by the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC).

In addition, I met with many presidents and attended numerous sessions, all of which reinforced my knowledge that we are doing the right things at MATC. So keep up the good work as we approach the end of yet another school year.

President’s Advisory Team
The last President’s Advisory Team of this school year will be held from 8-9 a.m. on Friday, April 17 in the Truax (lower) cafeteria. We welcome everyone to come and observe. The meetings this year have included lively and helpful discussions. It has been a great experience.

 
Summer Flex Time Update
We now have the specifics on the Summer Flex Time schedule. It runs from May 18 to August 7. Summer hours for designated service areas are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to
6 p.m. and Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
Managers are asked to review flexible scheduling feasibility with their employees.

MATC Marvels
Congratulations to Dr. Keith Cornille for achieving his doctorate in Education Leadership. His dissertation title is, “The Impact of Late Registration on Academic Success and Persistence of Students at a Community and Technical College.” I am sure he will send anyone a copy who would like some light reading for the summer.

As the semester winds down, we celebrate our students in many ways. This month we will hold scholarship breakfasts, the spring awards luncheon, cookouts, the portfolio show, the state ambassador banquet, Evening of Good Taste, and the athletic banquet, to name a few. I would like to take this moment to thank you, faculty and staff, for all you do for our students. Your efforts become very evident as we recognize our star pupils. I look forward to seeing many of you at these celebrations.

Our partnership with the state Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service to provide free income tax service has been a big success! More than 700 people have received the free service since it began on January 27. Congratulations to everyone involved with this project. This is another wonderful example of how MATC is giving back to the community. 

Highlights of my week:
• attended the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Careers Pathway Summit;
• attended the United Way of Dane County Executive Committee meeting;
• hosted a President’s Table with guests author Jacquelyn Mitchard and her assistant Pamela English, and Career Success Strategies president Donna Beestman;
• welcomed attendees and introduced Biddy Martin at a TEMPO event; and
• attended the American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) annual conference.

In closing, here is a quote from George Boggs, President and CEO of AACC, that reflected the theme of the conference and certainly a repeated theme for us:

“Today’s community colleges are facing major new challenges as a severe economic downturn confronts our nation. Now more than ever education and training are the foundation for national and local recovery. We must all work together, united by common purpose, dedicated to serving our communities and committed to supporting the rich diversity that strengthens our society.�

Bettsey