The Milwaukee Area Technical College Board of Trustees seemed to continue their usual practice to defy and ignore the communities of colors demands to restore the Multicultural Student Services and to rehire 4 MATC employees related to the phased out Multicultural services and an additional employee.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
February 24, 2026
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, both Anabel Chávez and Carlos Aranda made public comments during the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Board of Trustees meeting regarding multiple issues that haven't been resolved by MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz and the full Board of Trustees since last August 2025. Chávez who is a part-time instructor at the technical college read a two-page letter from the Multicultural Coalition to Reclaim MATC composed of 14 local organizations, faith and labor leaders and community advocates. According to the released statement by the Coalition, it had three demands, 1. The reopening of the Multicultural center and the immediate reinstatement of the four terminated employees; and the librarian who was wrongfully terminated. 2. Full restitution of lost wages and benefits; and 3. An independent audit of MATC Human Resources practices, echoing previous community calls for transparency and accountability. (Board meeting dated 2/24/2026 video link: https://youtu.be/DHmEeiBK2uw)
The Coalition also says that recently, the Trump administration dropped their appeal to a federal court decision in August 2025 that ruled that it was a violation of free speech for the Trump administration to deny federal funds to colleges and universities that have Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.
The decision to close MATC's Multicultural Center and terminate four employees of color that reflected and worked closely with our diverse student base (Black, Latine, Asian and indigenous) was directly tied to the intimidation tactics and threats by the Trump Administration. On August 19, 2025, these individuals received termination letters signed by President Cruz, citing recent changes in U.S. government policy as justification. (Article link: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/department-of-education-backs-down-on-unlawful-directive-targeting-educational-equity)
Our coalition strongly disputes both the rationale and the process underlying these actions. Given recent court decisions, the rationale for closing the center and terminating these employees no longer exists.
We do not believe that the proposed services intended to replace the Multicultural Center sufficiently or appropriately meet the needs of MATC's diverse student body. The elimination of established multicultural services-without meaningful engagement with affected communities--represents a significant step backward in MATC's long-standing commitment to access, inclusion, and student success, the Coalition wrote in a statement read by Chávez at the Board of Trustees meeting.
Aranda, Ed. D., a Counselor at MATC in a statement said, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. It is funded by taxpayers and supported by donors who trust that their contributions advance education - not finance preventable lawsuits, settlements, or the consequences of unlawful employment practices. Public funds must never be used to defend actions that leadership knew were unjust.
This concern is not new.
In December 2024, I addressed this Board regarding a female employee who had filed multiple formal complaints. While she was on approved FMLA leave, her position was eliminated -- effectively terminating her employment. That decision raised serious ethical and legal concerns.
In September 2025, a female librarian who had been performing full-time duties as a full-time LTE applied for the permanent position she was already effectively doing. Instead, HR hired an outside candidate with less experience. She was not offered a return to her prior full-time role and was left unemployed. This reflects not only poor judgment- but a failure of basic fairness and stewardship.
More recently, another female employee disclosed that she was ill and taking prescribed medication with known side effects. After being found asleep at work, she was brought into a "fact-finding" process that could have led to termination. Rather than first offering ADA accommodation information, engaging in the legally required interactive process, or responding with basic empathy, she was placed on a disciplinary track. The psychological distress became so significant that she ultimately requested early retirement.
These three cases involve white women. This demonstrates that the issue before us is not confined to race alone. Women-across race, age, and role - are being harmed under the current administration, on our watch.
This is not leadership. This is harmful.
The cases I have mentioned are not isolated incidents. They are examples. There are many more employees who have experienced retaliation, intimidation, marginalization, or procedural irregularities. What the public sees is only a fraction of what has occurred internally.
Therefore, l am asking you directly:
• Reinstate the five terminated employees.
• Restore their lost wages and benefits.
• Commit publicly to an independent review of employment practices.
• Ensure that anti-retaliation protections are honored not only in written policy - but in daily practice.
If this Board is unwilling to correct actions that have caused documented psychological and financial harm, then respectfully ask you to reflect on whether continued service aligns with your fiduciary and moral responsibilities.
Today, members from the communities of color in Milwaukee, Wisconsin are demanding for Dr. Cruz and the entire MATC Board of Trustees to resign for their disservice and negligence to eliminate the Multicultural Student Services at the technical college that served students from the communities of color for 50 years. (Facebook post link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1XvDmmJ88U/)
MATC has not halted its continued elimination of other DEI related services and programs at the technical college.
The members of the MATC Board of Trustees are, Erica L. Case, Chairperson; Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, Vice-Chairperson; Dr. Waleed Najeeb, Secretary; Gail Pence, Treasurer; Lauren Baker; Mark F. Foley and Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore-Omokunde (D-Milw). (MATC Board of Directors | MATC https://share.google/JBtolZmTGaz4lo885)
Ediror's note: The communities of color should ensure that every school and higher education institution continues to apply DEI initiatives to ensure every student and instructor is protected under Diversity, Equity and Inclusion directives as previously provided.
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