On Monday, January 31, Dr. Michael Burke, President of MATC, and various MATC staff members from the Office of Bilingual Education welcomed a group of students from South Division High School as new students in a brief ceremony.
The 12 students, both juniors and seniors, began attending English classes here on January 26 and will be obtaining college credits while still in high school, 3 per class and hopefully 9 by the end of senior year, that will be transferable to 4-year colleges.
Students were chosen for this program by their counselors and the assistant dean.
“This is a wonderful collaboration with LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and the Ford Motor Fund, according to Dr. Burke in reference to the grant funded by them.
He goes on to say that this project is in conjunction with MATC and Milwaukee Public Schools, “groundbreaking for us [MATC].” The grant pays for the cost of the program, and LULAC is responsible for the cost of transportation to MATC.
Dr. Arturo Martinez, of South Division High School and Darryl D. Morin, President of LULAC Chapter 326, are responsible for this program being implemented.
According to Academic Support Specialist for the Office of Bilingual Education Becky Carrillo, the parents’ support has been integral. She says she is “very excited. This is an opportunity for MATC to show that new initiatives can work to the benefit of the students.” Carrillo goes on to say that as a result of this program, students can be motivated and “look at their future in a positive way.