| Are you a parent or a community-based agency that would like some information on opportunities for middle and high school students to attend pre-college programs that will put them on the right track to get their degree and go to college? Are you a high school student or parent interested in getting help with a General Equivalency Degree (GED) or with a High School Equivalency Degree (HSED)? Are you a college student in need of some help in boosting your academics with tutoring, peer mentoring or advising? Would help with English as a Second Language assist you by improving your communication skills and employment opportunities? Are you a woman who might be interested in pursuing a non-traditional career path in the construction, industrial and technical trades? Do you think you might profit by learning about various career opportunities? Would you like information on lectures, workshops and things of interest that are available for citizens in Madison and surrounding communities? If you could profit from any of the above, then the person that you need to see is Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez Banuelos, the person that Madison Area Technical College had put in charge of the newly created Office of the Associate Vice-President for Diversity and Community Relations. Maria, who places family at the center of her being, was born in the U.S. to parents of Mexican origin. She spent her early youth in Mexico and her later years growing up in Waukesha. She has received all of her degrees from UWM and has completed all coursework for a doctorate degree. Banuelos has very extensive and increasingly broader experiences in higher education working some 25 years in the Wisconsin Technical College System with four years in the UW System. At MATC, with such an impressive portfolio, Banuelos is part of an administrative team that provides leadership to an institution that in 2004-2005 served approximately 54,000 students annually with 15% of them being targeted students which include Hispanics (6%), African-Americans (5%), Asian or Pacific Islanders (3%) and Native Americans (1%). Within the scope of her portfolio and role as a senior administrator, Bañuelos provides leadership and coordination to an array of services that increase access, retention, improve campus climate and graduation rates for students at MATC. She is responsible for Faculty Coordination across the district; as well as partnerships and collaborations with K-12 Education and institutions of higher education. Some of these key programs and services targeted to diverse populations include: ;Jump Start to Success for those seeking admission to a MATC program and Career Snapshots which provides vital information about admission and enrollment, financial aid, careers and other services that helps students get off to a quick start with their education. Once enrolled these students have access to English as a Second Language courses, Multicultural Services, Academic Advising, Peer Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction which all collectively assist students in their efforts to be successful at MATC. Students with documented learning or physical disabilities receive support for test taking, the availability and use of quiet rooms, extra test time, adaptive desks and chairs, a scribe, a test reader and access to large printed documents. What can you expect from MATC if you are from Madison or Dane County? The Educational Programming Board (EPB) is a student-led programming group that develops, implements, and hosts learning programs on current issues, multiculturalism, and global awareness. The Educational Programming Board offers opportunities for student learning in the areas of global awareness, multiculturalism, and social issues. These programs are offered free (or at reduced charge) to MATC students as a means to enhance learning and foster knowledge and competencies related to the core ability (key life and success skills) of Global and Cultural Perspectives. MATC has continued its efforts to improve the employability of its workforce and those from the surrounding communities. The MATC Counseling Center provides workshops for students, including displaced workers, to provide assistance to identify and plan new careers. Last month, MATC held its 6th Annual Educational Opportunities Workshop for the Latino and Spanish Speaking Community. This effort is very important because, as Banuelos points out, the Latino population of Dane County has grown by more than 150 percent since 1990 with the largest percentage of those being between the ages of 15 and 24. The approximate 100 people in attendance received information about English as a Second Language classes; apprenticeship opportunities in trades and services such as barber cosmetology and childcare; new bilingual credit certificates that serve as career-laddering opportunities to MATC diploma programs; and, Automotive, Diesel Technology and healthcare technical diploma programs. Given the success of this program, Banuelos has indicated that planning is underway with the Greater Madison Branch of the Urban League and other community-based organizations to do a similar program focused on the educational opportunities available to the African American community. Where does Associate Vice President Banuelos get the backing and support required to sustain this myriad of initiatives and keep them focused? Her efforts are strongly supported by MATC's new President, Bettsey L. Barhorst. Barhost has held leadership positions in Illinois, Switzerland and served most recently as President of Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa. She began her appointment as MATC President in January 2005. Barhorst identifies herself as a lifelong teacher having taught students from 4th grade to graduate school. Banuelos is very impressed with what she has observed thus far noting that President Barhorst continues to connect with students every day and amazes us with her energy, her attendance at almost all college and community events and her commitment to students and our college. Banuelos has major responsibilities for a new district-wide initiative called the "Systems Integration Councils." These "shared-governance" councils integrate structure with process. Each council represents a major system that "touches" Learning, Learner Services and Learner Development. The charge of each council will include the identification, implementation, and assessment of related Learner Success outcomes. Banuelos is the point person for Councils on Professional Development; Life Long Learning; Learner Preparedness and Success; Academic Policy, Planning and Implementation; and Economic and Workforce Development. Banuelos also provides leadership and support to a district-wide committee -- the Intercultural Council. Staffed by colleagues from across campus to honor the College's commitment to diversity and quality learning experiences, the Intercultural Council exists to set and assign responsibility for and monitor institution wide implementation goals related to diversity focused activities for staff awareness and education and the academic success of special populations students. What does Associate Vice President Banuelos have to say about her overall experience and accomplishments at MATC? She stated proudly: "I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to help create a responsive College. For over 15 years, I served as the MATC Downtown Campus Administrator. During that time, we created a downtown childcare center, a bookstore and developed and implemented the Alternative Learning Division. In 1988, I helped create an education center for South Madison at the Labor Temple and we now have the South Madison Community Campus at the Villager Mall with other partners, UW, UW - Extension, Dane County. and Edgewood College. During my tenure as Campus Administrator, I also initiated the Youth Pre-Collegiate programs at MATC that annually serves over 300 youth in the Madison area. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that my new position will undoubtedly bring. The future is indeed in good hands! Associate Vice President Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez Bantuelos has made MATC a better institution by providing sound leadership that has improved access and services to all of MATC's constituents in Madison and the surrounding communities. MATC and everyone that it serves is very fortunate to have such an outstanding leader and visionary. |
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