Students bond in the STEM Educational Center

by Warren Murphy

October 12, 2023

Bright, orange balloons form an archway over the entrance to the STEM Educational Center in the C-Building at the Downtown Campus.

After much fanfare the STEM Educational Center has opened its doors. The MATC Times stopped by to speak with two of the staff members operating the space – Lead Faculty in the Biomedical Electronics Technology Program, Chad Matzen and Administrative Assistant in the STEM Pathway, Christina Reddy.

Reddy described the STEM Center as ground zero for a new collective of students seeking a sense of community. She noted that many faculty members are using the space to hold office hours, community groups, and advisory committees, thus increasing accessibility for students.

Both Matzen and Reddy emphasized the importance of a community built on common ground. Matzen was very clear in his assertion that while student-faculty bonds are important, the most growth happens when students develop strong bonds with other students – something the STEM Center plans to facilitate.

The STEM Educational Center is located in room C278 and is currently open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Electronic Technician Fundamentals equipment is just one of the tools on display at the STEM Educational Center at the Downtown Campus. (Photo by Bradley Perich)

About the Contributor

Warren Murphy, Managing Editor

My name is Warren Murphy and I am Managing Editor of the MATC Times. I joined the staff last year, and after consistently contributing as a writer, I was named Features Editor. This year, with our new Editor-in-Chief, Zanaia Joshua, selecting me as Managing Editor, I plan to help curate a student paper that serves as a true mouthpiece for the voice of our students. I am in the Liberal Arts Transfer program and I plan on transferring to UW-Madison to complete my bachelors after this upcoming fall semester. For fun, I love to play basketball and go to stand-up comedy shows with my friends and family. I originally joined the Times because I was having a hard time finding a space for myself on campus. If you're struggling to find your place like I was, I strongly encourage you to reach out and see how you can get involved. MATC Times believes wholeheartedly in the power of collaboration and inclusivity, as baked into our foundation by our previous Editor-in-Chief Christopher D'Allen, and as student leaders, Zanaia and I are working constantly to ensure we provide a space that welcomes ALL students.