Prospective students were ushered in on a chilly morning to attend MATC’s open house, November 5, at the Downtown Milwaukee campus. Members of the Student Government and other campus organizations throughout MATC helped to escort these prospective students around the student center or provide answers for any questions parents, guardians or applicants had.
Tables for various programs were set up as well for some student organizations such as Student Athletics and Chess Club. Financial aid representatives assisted the guests of this open house with advice on how to apply for financial aid and the third floor cafeteria was full of applicants as they filled out their applications for admission, as for which the $30 application fee was waived, or lined up to register as well as get background checks for those signing up for the health or child care programs.
Cookies and juice were provided for an early morning snack to those who submitted a survey on the open house and music was provided by students from the Music Occupations department.
The Open House was a bit more for some people than refreshments and music. It was about a fresh start, second chances and new opportunities. Prospective student Jeremy Maurer was applying to MATC from UW-Milwaukee to study in the Respiratory Therapy program in January. Vanessa Cao was a recent high school graduate who had come to MATC (and Milwaukee) from Texas on a referral from her cousin and she hopes to study in the Early Childhood Education program this upcoming semester. Lemmi Weese is a current student in the G.E.D program at MATC who hopes to take classes to become an AODA counselor next semester. George Fonseca, who attended the open house with his aunt, an MATC graduate in 2001, was a graduate from Cudahy High School who was looking forward to studying in the Criminal Justice Program.
Despite the crowds of hopeful students who wanted to register for classes at MATC, there was nothing but rave reviews on how everything was put together. Julie Tranetzki, Fonseca’s aunt, praised Vincent Vitale from the Criminal Justice program specifically. “He was very informative [as far as giving information about the program] and he’s willing to help us with any questions we may have after this open house. I’m impressed.”
Benny Dominguez, a recent H.S.E.D graduate from MATC who was interested in an architectural type program, agreed when he stated, “Everything’s set up nicely and it’s easy to navigate. Plus, there are enough people around to help.”
President Michael Burke also stopped by to see how the open house was progressing. When stopped and asked for his opinion, he said, “I’m pleased with the turnout. It’s wonderful, especially with the good music and the beautiful weather.”
