MATC

Updated 10/22 4:52 p.m.  

Four southeast Wisconsin schools are pledging to close racial and income gaps in college graduation by 2030.

UWM, MATC, UW-Parkside, and Carthage College are the first regional collective to join a national initiative from D.C.-based education firm EAB. The initiative is called Moon Shot for Equity.

Just 30% of adults in the city of Milwaukee have a college degree. About 22% completed some college, but didn’t graduate. Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is bolstering its outreach to those adults, who might be interested in giving college another shot.

Several states have taken steps to make college more affordable by creating free-tuition "promise" programs. Each one is different, but in general, they allow students to attend community college, or sometimes public universities, for free.

Money is often a barrier to people thinking about attending college, so the Milwaukee Area Technical College has unveiled a plan to help qualifying low-income students pay their way. It's called the MATC Promise. Starting in fall of 2016, it will offer free tuition for four consecutive semesters. Similar programs exist across the country with the ultimate goal of reducing poverty.

Organizers of the annual Sustainability Summit and Exposition have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of climate change and the need of sustainable innovation. Now in its 12th year, two educators are trying to draw high school students more deeply into the conversation. 

“Growing Up Green” sprouted from their collaboration and will pilot Thursday during the summit. 

The track features two breakout sessions: Building Sustainable Communities and Rethinking Educational Settings.

MATC baking and pastry students have been building gingerbread houses. Those judged best win scholarship money.

Earlier this week, the MATC Board and its teachers union reached a new one-year contract – months ahead of schedule. The pact takes effect next February, when the existing three-year contract expires.

The MATC Board and its faculty union agreed to a new one-year contract this week, set to take effect in 2014, when their existing three-year pact expires.

What makes the deal noteworthy is the fact it happened months earlier than usual and while courts consider challenges to Act 10. That relatively new state law prohibits most public unions from negotiating for anything except limited pay increases.