Coalition members representing 14 local organizations submitted letter to MATC President Dr. Cruz and the MATC Board of Trustees demanding that the Multicultural Affairs Office and 4 student services specialists that were terminated in mid-August 2025 be reinstated with back wages and benefits.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
October 20, 2025
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, members of the Coalition to Reclaim MATC (CRMATC), which is currently composed of 14 organizations and local educational activists representing the Hispanic, Black, Asian and Native-American communities submitted a letter to the Milwaukee Area Technical College President Dr. Anthony Cruz and the Board of Trustees demanding for the Multicultural Affairs Office and 4 student services specialists that were terminated in mid-August 2025 be reinstated. The CRMATC wrote, "This coalition does not agree that the proposed services to replace the Multicultural Center will adequately serve the needs of the student body. We are calling on MATC to recommit to an improved environment for students and staff of color...Services for multicultural students must be restored to revive the MATC principles for serving the community...There have been previous calls for an audit of MATC HR actions, and we jointly echo that call. Without responsive action, many stakeholders are concerned that they will not be able to recommend MATC as a place for higher education."
Recently, a member of the Native-American community expressed that tribal discussions are ongoing in the state whether Native-American students should not be recommended to attend MATC, since Dr. Cruz eliminated the student services specialist for the Native-American students.
Now, the Hispanic, Black and Asian communities are alos contemplating whether to follow the Native-American ongoing discussions not to recommend students to attend MATC due to its alleged discriminatory act to eliminate the Multicultural Affairs Office student services in order to comply with Trump's elimination of all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs at the college. Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding from colleges and universities, if they don't comply.
Three federal courts including an Appeals court has ruled, that portions of Trump's executive order to eliminate DEI programs are deemed as unconstitutional due to infringement of teachers (instructors) free speech in classrooms regarding diversity topics, and that Trump, including the U.S. Department of Education can not withhold federal funding, if colleges and universities don't comply with Trump's elimination of DEI. The federal lawsuits filed challenging Trump's elimination of DEI programs are ongoing.
The members of the Coalition to Reclaim MATC are:
• Milwaukee Area Labor Council
• Wisconsin Indian Education Association
• Milwaukee Teachers Education Association
• Voces de la Frontera
• Shee Yee Community of Milwaukee Inc
• Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Milwaukee Chapter
• Progressive Baptist Church
• Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression
• Hmong American Friendship Association
• Black Men Organizing
• MIRACLE Mental Health Network
• Pastors United
• Souls to the Polls
• MICAH – Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope
Members of the Coalition to Reclaim MATC and activists from the Milwaukee metro communities will attend the MATC Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, October 28, at 4:00 p.m., room M210, 700 W. State St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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