A crowd of police, firefighter, and EMT cadets—along with their instructors and other students—came for inspiration on October 8 at MATC’s Oak Creek Campus. They attended the President’s Student Leadership Series featuring Milwaukee County Sheriff Dr. Denita R. Ball and Milwaukee Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski. MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz hosted the event.
The importance of education and lifelong learning was emphasized by both speakers. Chief Lipski stated, “You cannot learn enough in these fast-changing times,” and Sheriff Ball said students needed to “be a sponge because you never know when you will need to pull something out of your toolbox.”
Both leaders also encouraged students to admit to any mistakes in performance. “Accept the hard truths even if the news isn’t good,” Lipski made clear, and strive to do better in the future. In everything you do, “‘good enough’ is not good enough,” Ball challenged students, adding, “you need to be your best.”
Ball says she achieved success through education, faith, family, a strong work ethic, and the support of three or four mentors. She suggested to students to “seek someone out doing what you want to do, and explain to them where you’re trying to go.” Mentors could be inspiring teachers who are tough and demanding, who encourage you and empower you, but who also prepare you for the workforce. Lipski advised the audience to “be direct, be forward” with someone you want as a mentor and say, “Tell me how you do what you do.”
The event closed with questions from the audience. A police science instructor asked for a comment on ethics, and Ball stressed you must “do the right thing even when no one is looking. Without ethics, no one will trust you. Your character and your morals should never be in question.” Lipski added, “High morals are based on trust, what you know, and what is the truth. Today people are starving for the truth. Embrace it even if it’s uncomfortable.”
Wednesday’s event is part of a lunch series. A free buffet was served after the panel presentation. There will be future panels at other campus locations. The President’s Student Leadership Series was organized by the Office of Student Engagement and Community Impact.
