Milwaukee Area Technical College will hold its first in-person Commencement since the COVID-19 pandemic began at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave. More than 600 students are eligible to graduate at Winter Commencement from associate degree, technical diploma, apprentice and adult high school programs
The keynote speaker is Denise Thomas who brings 19 years of experience within Fortune 500 companies — including PepsiCo, General Electric and MillerCoors — to her role as president and owner of The Effective Communication Coach. She focuses on transforming emerging and existing professionals into extraordinary leaders. Thomas has been recognized as a 2021 Disruptor by the Greater Milwaukee Women’s Fund and a 2021 Rising Star by the African American Chamber of Commerce.
MATC President Vicki J. Martin will officially confer the degrees. MATC board officers Lisa Olson, Erica L. Case, Citlali Mendieta-Ramos and Nikki Moews are expected to attend.
Eryka S. Cunningham, who will graduate with an associate degree in human services, will present the student speech. She also will receive the Outstanding Associate Degree Graduate Award. She is the president of MATC’s Black Student Union; and serves on the Student Government Association and the Student Voice Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Jaime Fakler, who will receive a technical diploma in bricklaying, will receive the Outstanding Technical Diploma Graduate Award. Tina Stone will receive the Outstanding Adult High School Graduate Award.
The event is ticketed and COVID-19 precautions such as masks and social distancing will be required.
The event will be broadcast on Milwaukee PBS on Channel 10.1at 11 a.m. on Dec. 26.
For more information, call (414) 297-6703.
Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 25,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 170 academic programs; and transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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