Milwaukee Area Technical College received two Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) for the MATC Promise at a ceremony held at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino April 11. Sponsored by U.S. Bank in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Milwaukee, the awards celebrate successful efforts to strengthen the community and revitalize neighborhoods. 

The MATC Promise won the Associated Bank Trail Blazer Award for an innovative approach to a community problem and a Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award based on votes from the public. Funded through an innovative public-private partnership, the MATC Promise offers free tuition for eligible students. In 2015, MATC launched the first Promise program in Wisconsin for new high school students. Last year, MATC became one of the first colleges in the nation to offer a Promise program to serve adults. Since the programs launched, 230 donors have given more than $2 million in support to the MATC Foundation, Inc. The private gifts fill the gap between what financial aid covers for students and the cost of tuition. “Cost is an immense barrier standing between students and their dreams – and we are breaking it down with free tuition,” said Dr. Vicki J. Martin, MATC president. “We are proud to be recognized for the results we’ve achieved by taking a unique approach to address a serious community challenge. Thank you to Promise donors, to our board and to MATC staff and faculty who are making this program possible. Thank you to the students who – because of the MATC Promise – are pursuing your career dreams. You are the real heroes and inspire us every day.” More than 1,200 qualified students have attended the college through the MATC Promise programs, earning approximately 20,000 college credits. For more information on the MATC Promise, visit matc.edu/promise.