Patricia Gomez and Carlos Aranda who work at MATC met with Dr. Anthony Cruz, President of Milwaukee Area Technical College, in October 2024 to present documentation detailing a pattern of alleged abuse of power by the current MATC administration, including the Human Resources Office that continue to practice retaliation, discrimination, and the persistent lack of advancement opportunities affecting full-time and part-time employees. To date, Dr. Cruz has failed to resolve the hostile work environment at the college.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
January 30, 2026
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Carlos A. Aranda, Ed.D. LPC, NCC, MAC, CSAC Counselor at the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) from his hospital bed released the following information to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA). Aranda was hospitalized at Froedtert Hospital after suffering from a Myasthenia Gravis crisis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder causing fluctuating voluntary muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest.
Aranda says that a meeting with Dr. Anthony Cruz from MATC in October 2024 "was concluded prematurely due to clear indications—through body language and overall demeanor—of a lack of active listening, engagement, and concern regarding the serious matters presented."
"In August 2025, I formally requested that the District Board postpone the investiture of President Dr. Anthony Cruz scheduled for September 19, 2025. This request was made in light of the fact that, on September 18, 2025, four employees representing the Office of Multicultural Student Services were terminated. Despite the gravity and timing of these actions, the Board proceeded with the investiture ceremony as planned.
"Subsequently, I also formally requested that Board members postpone the opening of the new Office of Community Impact. In its current form, this office represents a performative response that risks misleading taxpayers and the public while failing to provide meaningful or restorative services to students who genuinely depend on institutional support.
"Under the leadership of Dr. Cruz, these actions have constituted a disservice to Wisconsin residents and have resulted in documented psychological harm to multiple women who have formally filed legal complaints. Such outcomes raise serious concerns regarding ethical leadership, institutional accountability, and the Board's fiduciary responsibility to ensure non-maleficence, transparency, and equity in public education governance."
Aranda also added, "To date, there has been no official response from the Milwaukee Area Technical College District Board or President Dr. Anthony Cruz to the letter submitted by 14 community organizations. The continued strategy of silence and avoidance has deepened institutional harm, damaged public trust, and compounded the psychological and emotional injury experienced by those directly impacted."
"Ignoring legitimate concerns is not neutrality—it is institutional neglect. This silence has reinforced feelings of oppression, emotional distress, and systemic abuse among affected employees and community members.
"The creation of the so-called Office of Community Impact coincided with the elimination of high-level positions held by long-serving employees who supported underrepresented students. This action raises serious ethical and governance concerns. Notably, among Wisconsin's 16 technical college presidents, Dr. Cruz stands alone in advancing this restructuring in a way that misled the community and failed to reflect the actual needs of MATC's diverse student population."
The following interview questions and answers with the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service were provided by Aranda to HNNUSA for publication.
1. Tell me about the coalition—how have they responded since MATC rebranded the department and eliminated positions in August?
The coalition responded with collective concern, documentation, and formal action. Since August, coalition members have engaged in coordinated advocacy, issued written correspondence to the Board and President, participated in public forums, and sought transparency through public accountability mechanisms. Despite these efforts, MATC leadership has failed to engage meaningfully, which has intensified community distrust.
2. Who makes up the coalition—students, staff, community members?
The coalition is composed of community-based organizations, faith leaders, educators, advocates, and allies who represent and serve students historically marginalized by higher-education systems. While individual students and staff are impacted, many are understandably fearful of retaliation. The coalition exists precisely to amplify voices that cannot safely speak alone.
3. Why did you personally get involved in this coalition?
I became involved out of an ethical responsibility to respond to harm. As a community leader and mental-health professional, I recognize the real psychological consequences of institutional abuse, retaliation, and silencing. When public institutions cause harm—especially to those serving vulnerable populations—remaining silent becomes a form of complicity.
4. What concerns did you have when MATC announced the rebranding of the Office of Community Impact?
My concerns were immediate and substantive:
• The rebranding appeared to mask the elimination of experienced leadership, not enhance student support.
• There was no transparent needs assessment demonstrating how this restructuring benefited students.
• The process lacked community consultation, particularly from those most affected.
• It signaled a shift away from accountability toward optics.
5. How does the coalition view the creation of the Office of Community Impact?
The coalition views the Office of Community Impact as structurally and ethically flawed. Rather than strengthening equity, it appears to have been used as a mechanism to consolidate power, eliminate dissenting leadership, and redirect resources away from proven student-support models. Impact cannot be declared by title alone—it must be demonstrated through outcomes and trust.
6. What is the coalition asking MATC to do specifically? What would accountability or repair look like?
• The coalition is calling for immediate and concrete action, including:
• The reinstatement of the four terminated employees, with full back pay and restoration of benefits.
• The immediate resignation of President Dr. Anthony Cruz, as the ethical implications of his leadership are incompatible with stewardship of public funds and a diverse community.
• The launch of an independent external investigation into leadership conduct, governance failures, and potential misuse of authority.
• A commitment to transparent, trauma-informed repair, including acknowledgment of harm and systemic reform.
• Accountability means corrective action, not rebranding. Repair requires restoring people—not just reputations.
7. Anything else you'd like to add?
Yes. This is not about politics or personalities—it is about ethics, governance, and human dignity. Public institutions funded by taxpayers have a moral and legal obligation to act with transparency, fairness, and care. Silence in the face of credible harm is itself a violation of that duty.
The community is watching. Trust can still be restored—but only through truth, accountability, and decisive action.
So far, Dr. Cruz and the MATC Board of Trustees have failed to resolve the unfortunate matters at hand plaguing the college, since Cruz was hired.
Check out the ongoing issues affecting MATC under Dr. Cruz that have rolled over into 2026 and continue without resolve.
Public testimony given at the MATC Board of Trustees meetings regarding the current state of affairs at MATC:
• MATC Alumni and community activist Samuel A. Alford public comment testimony regarding the elimination of the Multicultural Student Services Office by MATC President Dr. Cruz, during the November 24, 2025 MATC Board of Trustees meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• Here's the October 2024 MATC Board meeting video where Luz Sosa, Carlos Aranda, Patricia Gómez and others exposed the hostile, harassment, retaliation and discrimination practices by leadership administrators at the technical college. https://youtu.be/Lm_ImpZGXn4
• The December 2024 video, the MATC Board meeting and testimony given by employees and MATC Counselor Carlos Aranda https://youtu.be/ed93-NODo8M
The members of the MATC Board of Trustees are, Erica L. Case, Chairperson; Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, Vice-Chairperson; Dr. Waleed Najeeb, Secretary; Gail Pence, Treasurer; Lauren Baker; Mark F. Foley and Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore-Omokunde (D-Milw). (MATC Board of Directors | MATC https://share.google/JBtolZmTGaz4lo885)
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