MATC has eliminated the Multicultural Affairs Office and terminated 4 Student Services Specialists (African-American, Mexican-American, Asia-American and Native-American) to comply with the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) guidedance "that prohibits positions with duties that provide services exclusively to students based on race or ethnicity.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
August 30, 2025
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) learned that the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is scheduled to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) at the downtown and South Campus, which most likely become an alleged violation of Trump's USDOE guidedance that prohibits positions with duties that provide services exclusively to students based on race and ethnicity (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).
MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz decided to eliminate the Multicultural Affairs Office and terminated 4 of the student services specialists to comply with the USDOE guidedance to end services exclusively based on race and ethnicity in order to continue to get federal funding. The Office of Community Impact replaced the Multicultural Affairs Office, according to MATC.
At least three federal courts have ruled that Trump and the USDOE can't withhold federal funding from educational institutions, if they continue to practice Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), because it's illegal, unconstitutional and it violates free speech of teachers in the classrooms.
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."
What's ironic about Dr. Cruz decision to comply with the USDOE, is that the MATC administration including the Human Resources have approved the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in September, and have contracted multiple Latino groups including traditional Hispanic cultural folkloric dancers to perform at MATC campuses. Isn't the HHM based on race or ethnicity celebrating the achievements of Latinos/Hispanics in the country that have made a difference, economic impact and have contributed to the success of our nation?
One of the terminated student services specialists from the Multicultural Affairs Office, Annabel Chávez, the Latin Student Services Specialist has been tasked to help organize the HHM for September.
0n June 20, 2025, Dr. Cruz in a letter to Chávez wrote, "On behalf of Milwaukee Area Technical College, I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for your outstanding work and unwavering commitment to our students. For the past two years, you have been part of the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Steering Committee, meeting monthly with the cross-functional team to achieve our goal of reaching 25% FTE enrollment, while also working on your committee assignments separately."
"I know that you are committed to MATC becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution because of your own journey and your belief in our institution. Your dedication to creating mentoring programs, classroom instruction, program activities, orientations or other individual support shows your significant and positive impact on students' academic and personal well-being.
"We have consistently observed your passion for fostering a supportive and engaging environment where students can thrive. Again, your willingness to go above and beyond truly sets you apart. The positive feedback we`ve received from students is a testament to your exceptional efforts.
"Thank you again for your invaluable contributions. Your commitment to our students is deeply valued and makes a real difference in their lives.
"Since I joined MATC in July 2024, I have noticed and appreciate your work. Becoming an HSI is one of my presidential goals, and I am so thankful that we are doing this work together."
Currently MATC is at 23% of Hispanic enrollment, and 25% is needed to get HSI certification by the feds, which would most likely also be considered race and ethnicity driven, in contrary to Trump's USDOE prohibition guidedance.
Also, MATC has nearly 63% of majority minority students of color enrollment, which means MATC can't actually phase out race and ethnicity student services (to recruit, retain and graduate students of color), if it plans to keep its mission goal for which MATC was originally created under Wisconsin state law.
Nearly 4 months later, on August 19, 2025, Chávez was sent a letter of notice of termination from Michael Rogers, Vice-President of Student Engagement and Community Impact sanctioned by Dr. Cruz. Rogers wrote, "We are establishing the Office of Community Impact. This new office will champion holisic support for all students and cultivate increased partner ships within our community through high-impact practices, unique co-curricular opportunities, and vibrant campus engagement. Given this strategic restructuring and the creation of the Office of Community Impact, we regret to inform you that your current position, Student Services Specialist within the Multicultural Affairs office, is being elininated effective September 18, 2025...You are encouraged to apply for these positions or any open positions at the college for which you are qualified."
Chávez including three other student services specialists that were terminated by MATC with approval of Dr. Cruz were not allowed the option to transfer or get reclassified to another position at MATC.
Which 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."
At the August 26, 2025 meeting of MATC Board of Trustees, students, workers and members from the Black, Latino, Asian and Native-American communities protested the elimination of the Multicultural Affairs Office and demanded for the four student services specialists be reinstated and showed that they have no confidence of Dr. Cruz and want his investure postponed.
Privious HNNUSA article link: "Culture Of Fear And Retaliation" Practiced Under MATC President Anthony Cruz https://tinyurl.com/4y8vanc8
The following is the link for the MATC Board of Trustees for people who want to submit their questions or requests for a response: https://www.matc.edu/who-we-are/leadership-administration/district-board/index.html
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