MATC To Hold Hispanic Heritage Month Events, Contrary To Trump's USDOE Prohibited Practices Regarding Race And Ethnicity On Campus

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

Maestro Luis López, First MPS Bilingual Teacher At South Division High School In The Early 1970's Has Passed Away

August 17, 1944 - August 18, 2025

Maestro (teacher) López touched many lives as a bilingual teacher at South Division High School in the early 1970's, and encouraged his students to continue higher education, which many followed through and later became successful contributing professionals in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 28, 2025

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Gloria González, a former graduate student from South Division High School, and a retired MPS Division of Bilingual Multicultural Education at Central Services staff member announced that her bilingual teacher, Luis López, 81, had passed away on August 18, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. González released the following statement, "Our beloved high school teacher Luis López, the first bilingual teacher at South Division High School has recently passed away, plans for his celebration of life in Milwaukee are being planned for the Spring of 2026. López touched many of his students and families lives and encouraged them to continue in higher education. He will be greatly missed."

López was originally from México, he had a passion to teach his students in both Spanish and English and made sure that the students succeeded in class, which eventually led to a higher percentage of graduation for Latino and non-Latino students at South Division High School (SDHS). Many of the students that López taught enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, including Milwaukee Area Technical College and other universities, and later graduated and became contributing members in the Southside community and Milwaukee.

López was the first bilingual teacher at SDHS in the early 1970's. The SDHS 1971 year book recognized López as a teacher for Hispanic American Culture, Language and History, and United States History Bilingual.

López is well known for his charismatic and unwavering support for his students at SDHS, and in 1972, he was very instrumental in sponsoring the first Hispanic student South Division High School Prom dance at the Marc Plaza Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

In 1973, López also worked as a Guidance Counselor in the Guidance Department at SDHS in MPS. López began working at MPS on April 8, 1969 and earned a Master's degree on December 2, 1979.

López later became an administrator at MPS. After retiring from MPS, López moved to Tampa, Florida.

Milwaukee Metropolitan Residents Should Ride For Free In The Milwaukee County Transit System Bus Routes

Milwaukee County taxpayers pay nearly $3B to the state in share revenues per year and the return shared revenue from the state for the County to operate is at least $260M per year, which results in nearly $30M in County deficit per year affecting countywide services.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 28, 2025

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Milwaukee County continues to experience a County deficit that has extended to the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus service. Milwaukee County supervisors are attempting to off-set a projected $10.9M deficit for 2026, and say that currently about 33% of riders in the transit system skip paying (fare evasion) a bus fare.

In 2024, skip pay ridership totaled $4M in loss fare for the County, according to MCTS.

In 2022, MCTS stop enforcing riders to pay their fair fare after assaults on bus drivers increased. To lower the percentage of skip ridership, MCTC plans to hire non-uniformed fare ambassadors to enforce fare fees for bus riders, in an attempt to decrease the skip pay ridership by at least 30%.

What really needs to occur is for Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors to take legal action against the state for the unfair practice of cheating the County from its fairshare of shared revenue. Milwaukee County pays nearly $3B of share revenue to the state per year, but in return, the state only provides the County more than $260M of shared revenue to operate per year resulting in nearly $30M in deficit annually.

If the County Board of Supervisors succeed in challenging the state for more shared revenue (could get back an additional $200M), it would definitely help the County to operate efficiently and would have more than enough funding to fund MCTS system and then MCTS could provide free rides to all Milwaukee County residents, which would definitely reduced the vehicle congestion in the City and County including the reduction of specific pollutants emissions from vehicles.

Previously, the GO Pass program in MCTS offered free bus rides to senior citizens and people with disabilities, but it was discontinued in 2017.

UMOS Canceled The Annual September Mexican Independence Parade And Festival 2025 In Milwaukee Due To Projected Federal Funding Constraints

UMOS canceled their annual Mexican Independence Parade And Festival for September 2025 citing federal funding constraints (restrictions).

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 28, 2025

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - on Thursday, the United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc. (UMOS) announced in their Facebook account that it has made the difficult decision to pause the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival for 2025. UMOS says, that their non-profit organization is experiencing a challenging landscape for nonprofits, particularly considering current and anticipated federal funding constraints tied to the broader political climate, pausing this event will allow us to focus short-term resources where our impact on individuals, families, and communities is most needed. We want to assure you that we remain committed to reimagining future events and continuing meaningful gatherings that celebrate and empower our diverse community.

"Culture Of Fear And Retaliation" Practiced Under MATC President Anthony Cruz, Elimination Of The Multicultural Affairs Office Sparks Protests And Demands To Reinstate 4 Fired Student Services Specialists

Students and workers at the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) have lost confidence in MATC President Cruz and want his investure postponed.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 27, 2025

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, the majority of Milwaukee Area Technical College Board of Trustees voted to limit speakers to 3 minutes instead of the usual 5 minutes allowed for those who signed up to address the elimination of the Multicultural Affairs Office and termination of 4 student services specialists. Some of the speakers accused the MATC Human Resources of lack of transparency and not giving prior notice to employees regarding wage reduction up to 7% for part time instructors and eliminating positions without allowing employees to be reassigned to other available positions as practiced in the past without being terminated. In this case, the 4 employees of color that were fired seemed to have been blatantly discriminated and legal action is being considered, if their employee rights were violated at the technical college, according to MATC AFT Local 212 union sources.

Floyd C. Griffin III, the African-American student services specialist at the Multicultural Affairs Office whose position was eliminated alleged that many of MATC's Black administrators who decided to eliminate his job and the Multicultural Affairs Office have created a "culture of fear and retaliation" at the technical college under the leadership of MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz. Griffin III stated, "Many of the leaders driving this decision are themselves leaders of color. This is not just about race in the simplistic sense, it is about a culture of fear and retaliation that's overtaken this institution...Eliminating multicultural specialists here does not just undermine the department, it undermines the trust of our entire community."

Griffin III also asked the Board why wasn't he and three other staff members who were terminated not reclassified, or reassigned to other available positions at the college? The fired employees were encouraged by human resources to reapply for jobs positions, if they qualified, all of the fired employees have credible advisory experience.

According to MATC, only the manager and international service specialist from the Multicultural Affairs Office were allowed to transferred to the newly created Office of Community Impact, both are Hispanic, according to MATC sources.

On August 20, Michael Rogers, the Vice-President of Student Engagement and Community Impact notified MATC employees that the Multicultural Affairs Office was being eliminated and replaced by Office of Community Impact under the direction of Dr. Cruz, but it didn't mention that 4 student services specialists were being terminated without being given the opportunity to be reclassified, or transferred to other available positions on campus.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the executive director of Voces de la Frontera told the Board that MATC never included any participation from members of the community in discussions regarding the proposed elimination of the Multicultural Affairs Office.

Dr. Cruz held multiple listening sessions in the Milwaukee area about his 5-year plan for MATC, but he never brought up that he had decided to eliminate the Multicultural Affairs Office in order to comply with Trump's elimination of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices at educational institutions, and if institutions failed to comply, they would lose federal funding, which three federal courts have ruled that the threat of losing federal funding for not complying with the elimination of DEI was unconstitutional and illegal.

On Tuesday, dozens of students, employees, alumni and community of color representatives protested the elimination of the Multicultural Affairs Office and demanded for MATC to reinstate the 4 fired employees of color.

Also, the protesters are demanding for the investure of Dr. Cruz by the Board to be postponed indefinitely due to a lack of confidence by MATC employees, students and members of the communities of color.

On Wednesday, Carlos Aranda, the Counselor at the MATC Campus in Milwaukee began to circulate an email directed at the MATC Board of Trustees.

The circulated email reads as follows: Dear Members of the District Board of Milwaukee Area Technical College, August 26 was a significant day for our institution and community. We witnessed African-American, Asian-American, Latino, and Native-American voices unite to call for justice in response to decisions that reflect unilateral control, systemic oppression, and abuse of power.

On August 19, 2025, four Student Services Specialists—a Native American employee, an African American employee, a Latino employee, and an Asian American employee—received termination letters without any consideration of alternatives such as reassignment, retraining, or lateral transfer, as required by applicable policy. These letters were issued by Mr. Michael Rogers, Vice President of Student Engagement and Community Impact.

This same Vice President has previously denied Fair Work Arrangement (FWA) requests to his staff, while similar positions in other departments were approved. The individuals most affected by these actions have consistently been women of color. These concerns were previously raised with both the President and the Board, in writing and verbally, yet no corrective action was taken. There is a documented history of decisions that have disproportionately harmed women of color and other minority employees. The recent termination of these four employees, approved by the President, has now caused profound harm.

As a mental health provider, I must underscore that this pattern of behavior is severely impacting the psychological safety and well-being of employees. Just last week, MATC Public Safety was dispatched for a wellness check on one of the employees who was terminated. The termination letters sent to these individuals—all people of color—contained language that fails to align with MATC's WeCare standards and principles of respect and dignity in the workplace. This is deeply unethical and inconsistent with the values our college stands for.

Who advised the President to proceed in this manner? These decisions represent a serious failure to uphold ethical and professional standards, exposing MATC to reputational harm and further eroding trust among employees and the communities we serve.

With respect and a focus on integrity, I request the following immediate actions:

1. Reinstatement of the four terminated employees without delay.

2. A transparent, independent investigation into the decision-making process, including those who advised or approved these actions.

3. Accountability measures for all individuals responsible, including the Vice President named above and any current managers found to have engaged in unethical conduct.

The credibility of MATC and the trust of our diverse community are at stake. Inaction is not an option. Please confirm when these employees will be reinstated and what steps will be taken to ensure accountability and prevent future harm, Aranda wrote in the email.

The students and the communities of color want the 4 fired student services specialists reinstated as soon as possible.

HNNUSA article link: https://tinyurl.com/h8fvxp44

Live streaming of the MATC Board of Trustees, August 26, 2025 link (First 50 minutes of board meeting open for public comments): https://www.youtube.com/live/lqQncZsBrl4

MATC Local 212 AFT statement regarding the closure of the Multicultural Affairs Office and termination of 4 Student Services Specialists at link: https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/american-federation-of-teachers-local-212-statement-on-closure-of-multicultural-affairs-at-matc/

Milwaukee Homeowner Released Video Showing Alleged Frustrated City Sanitation Worker Trashing Alley With Recycling Items

A homeowner says, she hasn't heard back from the City of Milwaukee Public Works Sanitation after contacting them and complaining about a sanitation worker trashing their side of the alley and taking their blue top recycling bin.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 27, 2025

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - A Milwaukee homeowner who wants to stay anonymous contacted Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) on Wednesday after the City of Milwaukee Public Works Sanitation department failed to return their call after complaining that a sanitation worker threw (trashed) recycling items back to the property and then taking the recycling bin, and to date haven't replaced it.

According to the homeowner at the 2700 block of S. 47 Street, she told HNNUSA that her recycling bin had vanished from the ally located between S. 47 and S. 48 Streets from W. Montana St. and W. Cleveland Ave around 10:47 a.m. on August 6th, but when she reviewed her rear garage video surveillance camera, she saw that the sanitation worker seemed frustrated and was trashing their side of her property with recycling items and then saw the sanitation worker place the recycling bin in the Milwaukee Waste Management truck number 32567.

The homeowner confirmed that the sanitation worker failed to pick up what he trashed in the alley. She released the video to HNNUSA to publish.

MATC President Anthony Cruz Facing "We Have No Confidence In MATC President" By Workers, Students, Instructors And Latino Community After Multicultural Affairs Office Eliminated

Widespread backlash from local communities of color ignited after MATC President Cruz eliminated the Multicultural Affairs Office and firing 4 student service specialists at the technical college.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 25, 2025

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Controversy ignites in the Latino community in Milwaukee after MATC President Anthony Cruz approved the elimination of the Multicultural Affairs Office and its services to students of color, also firing 4 student service specialists, which former MATC Board member Tony Baez responded to Darryl Morin's Facebook post surrounding Cruz's action to close the Multicultural Affairs Office at the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).

MATC President Cruz is now facing "We Have No Confidence In MATC President" protest by workers, students, instructors and the Latino Community after the Multicultural Affairs Office was recently eliminated and its staff members fired with no recourse to be transferred to other open positions available at the technical college.

In most instances, when certain jobs are eliminated, the employees are given the option to transfer or their job title position is adjusted without being terminated, which in case, all of the staff members (people of color) from the Multicultural Affairs Office were fired (losing seniority) and must reapply for other available positions at the technical college, if they qualify. The alleged discriminatory practice by the MATC Human Resources office is being sanctioned by MATC President Cruz and the MATC Board of Trustees.

The Latino, Black, Asian and the Native-American communities are demanding for those who were unfairly terminated to be reinstated immediately.

The following message was sent out by organizers working to reinstate the terminated employees of the Multicultural Affairs Office, "We are calling on all members of the MATC community—past and present—to join us at the upcoming protest to demand justice for employees of color who were terminated by the MATC administrators." 

"It's time for us to stand together, raise our voices, and make sure our concerns are heard. Whether you are an alum, a current student, or a supporter of the cause, your presence matters. Let's unite for change!

"We are requesting the reinstatement of the affected employees and the termination of the manager.

“Accountability before celebration — postpone the investiture of Dr. Cruz until voices are heard.

“We need equity and shared governance before any presidential celebration.”

The AFT Wisconsin also sent a letter to union members of Local 212 (MATC) saying, "Milwaukee Area Technical College President Dr. Anthony Cruz has made the devastating decision to eliminate the entire Office of Multicultural Affairs and its dedicated staff. For years, this office has been a crucial support system for students of color, first-generation students, and other marginalized groups. This move is a clear show of cowardice in our national political climate and a step backward for an institution that should be leading the way." 

Members of the MATC Local 212 have raised more than 800 signatures in a circulating petition.

The Save Multicultural Affairs at MATC – Reinstate Staff NOW petition on Change dot org has raised more than 1,021 signatures at link: https://www.change.org/p/save-multicultural-affairs-at-matc-reinstate-staff-now

HNNUSA broke the story, article link: https://tinyurl.com/2ku26vsh

Students, instructors and those fired by MATC including other supporters will address the full MATC Board of Trustees on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 4:00 p.m., downtown campus room M210 located at 700 W. State Street in Milwaukee.

Issues to be addressed by speakers in front of the MATC Board if Trustees:

• The closure of the Multicultural Office

• The wrongful and unethical termination of four employees of color

• A culture of intimidation and retaliation

Live streaming of the MATC Board of Trustees, August 26, 2025 link (First minutes of board meeting open for public comments): https://www.youtube.com/live/lqQncZsBrl4