The new Office of Community Impact that replaced the Multicultural Affairs Office in late August 2025 at MATC hasn't released any specific plans or student services that would benefit students of color, which nearly 63% of the student population is majority minority and 23% of the student enrollment population is Hispanic.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
September 1, 2025
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Sunday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) screened shot and published the services that included academic advising, crisis intervention, student advocacy and other paramount services previously provided to students of color by the Milwaukee Area Technical College Multicultural Affairs Office that had helped increased enrollment of students including Latinos and was instrumental in helping to recruit, retain and successfully graduate students of color that then continued to pursue higher education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and other area colleges and universities in Milwaukee and state.
Checkout the Multicultural Affairs Office (MAO) services to students of color (Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native-American) that were eliminated when the MAO was eliminated in late August under the decision of Milwaukee Area Technical College President Dr. Anthony Cruz.
Also, four student services specialists were also terminated without the option to transfer to other positions at the technical college, which is a violation of MATC policy.
According to MATC AFT Local 212, MATC failed to offer "transfer rights to the four employees adversely affected by the closing, as per page 34 of the MATC Employee Handbook which states that, "full-time employees subject to involuntary layoff shall be considered for reassignment."
According to MATC, the Office of Community Impact replaced the MAO, and so far, MATC has not released what services will be offer to students, compared to what the MAO offered to help recruit, retain and graduate students of color.
The elimination of the MAO came under protest by the Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native-American communities and they are demanding the reinstatement of the 4 student services specialists that were unfairly terminated. Students, instructors, workers and members from the Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native-American communities have lost confidence on MATC President Dr. Cruz and want his investure in September to be postponed by the MATC Board of Trustees.
The elimination of the MAO was to comply with the Trump's MAGA U.S. Department of Education (US DOE) guidance that prohibits positions with duties that provide services exclusively to students based on race or ethnicity (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).
PBS News reported on August 14, 2025, "A federal judge on Thursday struck down two Trump administration actions aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the nation's schools and universities."
"In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Maryland found that the Education Department violated the law when it threatened to cut federal funding from educational institutions that continued with DEI initiatives.
"The guidance has been on hold since April when three federal judges blocked various portions of the Education Department's anti-DEI measures."
Apparently, MATC President Cruz didn't have any justified reason to eliminate the MAO, since complying with the US DOE guidance is illegal and unconstitutional, according to multiple federal court rulings. Cruz's decision also goes in contrary to Wisconsin state law that created the technical college as well.
2024 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 38 - Technical college system.
38.001 - Mission and purpose.
Under this statue it states that the principal purpose of technical colleges in the state is to (e) provide education and services which address barriers created by stereotyping and discriminating and assist individuals with disabilities, minorities, women, and the disadvantaged to participate in the work force and the full range of technical college programs and activities.
The US DOE is being elininated by Trump as well, according to an executive order.
