MATC strives for diversity in student body

Karyn Saemann

With so many options available at Madison Area Technical College, it 's only natural that students ' ethnic backgrounds are widely varied.

The school has a multicultural office with information available on course offerings, financial aid, registration, educational and career planning, academic advising, tutorial assistance and other referral services to meet individual needs.

Its list of student organizations includes an Asian American Student Association, Black Student Union, Native American Student Association and two organizations for those of Hispanic descent -- Club Hola and Orgullo Latino.

In the spring, the college joined with area middle and high schools, Edgewood College and UW-Madison to host Madison 's first-ever All-City American Indian and Alaskan Native Graduation Celebration. The college hopes to make the celebration an annual tradition.

MATC serves about 43,000 students at 10 campuses and education centers in Madison, Reedsburg, Portage, Fort Atkinson and Watertown. It offers approximately 130 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs, with apprenticeships in more than 20 skilled trades. The MATC district includes 40 school districts,

223 municipalities, about 700,000 residents and portions of 12 counties.

In addition to setting many students on a course to graduate with a two-year degree or to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor 's degree, MATC offers a vast array of vocational and professional development courses.

The college also brings students together through its student newspaper, clubs, athletics and social activities. The two Madison campuses offer on-site child care.

For more information, call 1-800-322-6282 or go to www.matcmadison.edu/matc.