The MRC Scoop Newsletter
Multicultural Resource Center
Multicultural Resource Center
Contact Information
Multicultural Resource Center Hours of Operation
Room: C-125
Office Open: Monday – Thursday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Virtual: Fridays 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Email: mrc@wctc.edu
Phone: 262-691-5359
Email: mrc@wctc.edu
Website: www.wctc.edu/mrc
Location: 800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 262-691--5359
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wctcmrc
Mission
The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) strives to grow and sustain a culture where all people are valued for who they are and who they will become. This includes but is not limited to: gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, age, religion, and socio-economic status. Each person is treated with respect, and all students and staff are given access to resources that will encourage their success.
Vision
The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) seeks to prepare all students and staff to work actively toward equity by providing knowledge, dispositions, and skills for acceptance and inclusion among diverse groups. The MRC offers all students and staff, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups at WCTC, a safe place to call their own.
Support Services
- Assistance with admissions, placement testing, financial aid, and scholarship applications
- One-on-One Case Management
- Educational Workshops
- Course Completion
- Progress Reports
- Liaison between schools, families, and community to address barriers to academic achievement
- Study skills, time management, and how to access tutorial assistance
- Leadership development, including the Multicultural Student Mentoring Program
- Personal and social support
- Small group meeting space, study area, and computer lab
- Build a positive relationship with students, faculty, and staff
Multicultural Resource Center Staff
Mr. Rolando De León
Diversity Coordinator | Multicultural Resource Center
Email: rdeleon5@wctc.edu
Office: 262.691.5175
Mobile: 262.349.1611
Mrs. Der Taormino
Multicultural Resource Specialist
Email: dtaormino@wctc.edu
Office: 262.695.3424
Mobile: 262.525.1331
Multicultural Resource Center Student Workers
Alejandra Rodriguez
Nursing Student
Multicultural Resource Center, Student Worker
Member at Large in the Multicultural Student Union
Lesli Y. Chavez Contreras
Graphic Design & Web and Digital Media Design Student
Student Worker, Multicultural Resource Center
Member at Large in the Multicultural Student Union
Spring 2021
The MRC promotes cross-cultural communication, awareness, and understanding through programs, events, and leadership development. The MRC's goal is to create a community that recognizes challenges and transforms individual attitudes toward differences while learning to celebrate the rich contributions of all cultures.
January celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. King's birthday is January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. (Check out the recorded webinar)
February is Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Blacks in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history. (Check out the recorded webinar)
March is Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the United States. (Check out the recorded webinar)
March celebrates Cesar Chavez Day a U.S. federal commemorative holiday, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014. The holiday celebrates the birth and legacy of the civil rights and labor movement activist Cesar Chavez on March 31 every year. (Check out the recorded webinar)
April is Celebrate Diversity Month, a time to recognize and celebrate other cultures and populations.—By celebrating the unique cultures, backgrounds and traditions of others, we can gain a greater appreciation for the diversity that surrounds us.
May celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is a period for the duration of May for recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month). It is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and it works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans. Additionally, this month celebrates Juneteenth, which is known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day .—It is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it is now celebrated annually on the June 19 throughout the United States, with varying official recognition.
MULTICULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER SPRING PROGRAMMING
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM: BERNA ANAT
Location via Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/96217464486
Open to: WCTC Staff, Students, and Community
Thursday, Mar 25, 2021, 12:00 PM
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Berna Anat is a financial hype woman, which is her way of saying she creates engaging financial education media. She is a producer, speaker, and financial influencer dedicated to making financial literacy more fun, more accessible, and more inclusive for young people everywhere.
Berna has partnered with major brands and spoken at venues all over the map, including the Girlboss Rally, Google, The Wing, and the United Nations Youth Summit. Her financial insights have been featured on platforms such as Forbes, The New York Times, Bustle, Parade, Washington Post, Business Insider, Refinery 29, and BuzzFeed. She was the Teen Community lead at Instagram, the Teen Programs director for the YMCA of New York City, and is a writer and video producer. Berna was recently named one of ABS-CBN's Global Pinoy Idols, awarded to the 10 Most Influential Filipinx People in the United States.
Image links to Webinar
CESAR CHAVEZ DAY PROGRAM: LUPE MARTINEZ (UMOS CEO)
Location via Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/96755476466
Open to: WCTC Staff, Students, and Community
Wednesday, Mar 31, 2021, 11:30 AM
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Image links to Webinar
Diversity Awareness Month Program: Tim Wise
Location via Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/92450111655
Open to: WCTC Staff, Students, and Community
Sponsored by: Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)
Wednesday, Apr 21, 2021, 11:30 AM
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Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the United States. He has spent the past 25 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states, on over 1500 college and high school campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences, and to community groups across the country.
Wise has also trained corporate, government, entertainment, media, law enforcement, military, and medical industry professionals on methods for dismantling racial inequity in their institutions, and has provided anti-racism training to educators and administrators nationwide and internationally, in Canada and Bermuda.
Image links to Webinar.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Program: Syed Umar Warsi
Location via Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/97349470311
Open to: WCTC Staff, Students, and Community
Sponsored by: Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)
Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 12:00 PM
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Image links to Webinar.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Program: Dr. Pafoua (Pam) Her
Location via Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/94940875119
Open to: WCTC Staff, Students, and Community
Sponsored by: Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)
Thursday, May 6, 2021, 12:00 PM
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Image links to Webinar.
KEVA ESTRADA - 2021/22 WCTC Student Ambassador
Estrada first came to WCTC in 2013 to earn a Language Interpreter for Health Services technical diploma, and she returned last year to pursue a Human Services Associate degree.
As an adult student and working mother, the online Human Services Associate program was the perfect fit for Estrada’s busy lifestyle. “I thought that WCTC would be a great place to begin learning about counseling and help me build the skills needed throughout my academic career.… WCTC offers the flexibility of online classes that I need,” she said.
Her program is providing her with a solid foundation for a profession in which she can help others improve the quality of their lives, Estrada said.
“I am learning how to effectively communicate; respectfully interact with people of all ages, races, orientations and beliefs; and how to become a great leader,” she said. “The life skills that I am learning will prepare me for a career in which I will be able to help clients heal, grow and learn.”
Besides her new role as ambassador, Estrada is actively involved in campus activities, including serving as president of the Multicultural Student Union, student mentor in the Multicultural Student Mentoring Program, and represents the Multicultural Student Union on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Compliance (DEIC) Committee.
Her time at WCTC is allowing her to grow personally and professionally, and she is grateful for the opportunity to serve as next year’s ambassador.
“WCTC has opened up a whole new world for me by expanding my knowledge of resources and activities available in and out of school, and cheering me on as I move toward my future goal to become a psychologist,” Estrada said. “I am so thankful for, and humbled by, the experiences that I have had thus far. It is an honor to represent WCTC’s mission, staff and students.”
Each of the 16 colleges within the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) selects one student every year to participate in the ambassador leadership development and recognition program, sponsored by the Milwaukee-based financial services firm Baird. The recognition event will be held virtually April 22. Additionally, Baird awards a $1,250 scholarship to each ambassador.
Objectives of the WTCS ambassador program include:
Fostering public awareness and appreciation for the high-quality system of technical education that contributes to the state's economy and its communities.
- Highlighting the technical skills, academic achievements, community impact and leadership of Wisconsin’s technical college students and graduates.
- Encouraging ongoing collaboration in the delivery of technical education among state and local education, workforce and economic development, and industry partners.
- Emphasizing the valuable role of affordable, flexible and responsive technical education in an era of rapid change in the workplace and a modern economy.
- Inspiring pride in technical education among students, graduates and all involved in its delivery.
Alumni Spotlight
Dulce Huerta - Alumni
After earning her Administrative Professional degree from WCTC, Dulce has been working full time for the Department of Transportation in the Division of Transportation Systems Development as the Records Coordinator for the Southeast region of Wisconsin.
Apart from working, she has also been attending school as an online student at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, working toward her bachelor’s degree in Organization and Leadership Studies. Dulce, an honors student at UW-Oshkosh, has also earned a spot in the Dean’s List.
While at WCTC, Dulce was a student worker in the Multicultural Resource Center, president of the Diversity Club and a mentor in the Multicultural Student Leadership Academy. She also graduated as a member of the National Technical Honor Society.
Dulce’s volunteer experience and student involvement in the Multicultural Resource Center prepared her to become an active leader in her community. It has helped her gain the skills necessary to continue her education as we find helpful resources.
“I enjoyed working in the MRC as well as studying at WCTC because of the wonderful resources that Rolando and other staff provided. The MRC was a home away from home and the support that it provided helped me achieve my academic, and professional goals.”
Did You Know MRC Events & Programs Qualify Towards Your SGA Punch Card?
SGA Punch Card Rules
To enter into a chance to win free tuition for the spring 2021 semester tuition, you must comply with the following rules:
- Attend any SGA or MRC sponsored event to receive a punch (this includes virtual events/programs)
- SGA punch card must have all 10 punches (cards can be combined to total 10)
- Participant must have C's or better in each spring semester class
- All eligible SGA punch cards must be submitted to Student Development (C-121)
Odds of winning are dependent on the number of participating students who comply with the rules & deadline. No purchase necessary.
You Are Invited To Join Us: For DuTALK Conversations
DuTALK
The intention of DuTALK is to teach all members of the WCTC community to engage in civil discourse and to value dialogue over debate. We believe that learning these skills will then enable us to achieve a community culture that embraces diversity and difference as a strength and to communicate openly and honestly about controversial issues.
Two Ways That Participants Can Engage:
1. DuTalk – Cards via Zoom
Civil Discourse requires that participants be able to recognize the difference between dialogue and debate and gain familiarity with effective participation and facilitation skills. To learn these skills, new participants are encouraged to play the DuTalk© Card Game. Members of the group are asked to draw a card from a deck of brief scenarios that present a values or communication issue. The scenario is read aloud, and the group has five minutes to discuss the issue and determine the answer to the questions, “What do you do? What do you say?” Members of the group take turns practicing facilitation skills. The cards are mean to provide rapid and frequent practice opportunities.
2. DuTalk - Drop-In via Zoom
Participants join the group via Zoom, select a topic from a suggested list or generate one of their own. One member is asked to facilitate the conversation and another to record. Once topics have been selected, they are announced to the room, and participants have an opportunity to move to the topic of their choice. Conversation then begins. The facilitator’s responsibility is to ensure that the conversation doesn’t slip into debate, that participants don’t back away from conflict, that no single member dominates the conversation, and that all have a chance to participate. The facilitator remains neutral on the topic but may supply available facts, ask probing questions or summarize comments or points of view.
Dates: April 6
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00 pm
Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/98907669930?pwd=eG12ZDN3ZjZZZVBibW9nd0I2cVUxUT09&from=addon
Dates: April 20
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00 pm
Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/93889903278?pwd=WTA4bUtJT0ViNyt3VHIvMlV0ZUo4UT09&from=addon
Dates: May 4
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00 pm
Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/92830888998?pwd=dnBCdk5iNnVlRkpTMEFVUFVvbHI0Zz09&from=addon
Hosted by: Multicultural Resource Center & Multicultural Student Union
MULTICULTURAL STUDENT MENTORING PROGRAM
The Multicultural Student Mentoring Program (MSMP) serves underrepresented students. It supports students of color, LGBTQ, first-generation, and undocumented students to ensure their success at WCTC. MSMP empowers students to be successful leaders in their communities.
The MSMP provides case management, academic support, and access to peer mentors and resources. Encourages critical life skills through monthly leadership workshops to promote self-advocacy, community engagement, and encourages participation in leadership conferences and social events -- all in an effort to help students feel supported during their time at WCTC.
Since the program was established in 2013:
- It has served more than 300 students
- Approximately 100 faculty and staff have volunteered for MSMP to date
- MSMP students have achieved 3.0-grade point averages
- Students recently involved in the program had an 85% retention rate
- It has been awarded the 2017 Wisconsin College Personnel Association for Outstanding Program Award
Interested students apply here
Multicultural Student Scholars
The Multicultural Resource Specialist provides scholars with the following on-going support services:
- Personalized holistic coaching
- Retention support
- Success plan
- Case management
- Time management
- Course completion
- Leadership development
MULTICULTURAL STUDENT UNION (Student Club)
Mission
Waukesha County Technical College Multicultural Student Union (MSU) advocates for the empowerment of marginalized and traditionally underrepresented identities. MSU also works to increase the visibility of the difficulties facing marginalized and underrepresented students at Waukesha County Technical College.
Vision
The Multicultural Student Union (MSU) of WCTC is to provide cultural enrichment, encourage equity, intersectional understanding and foster communication by the appointed of members to key committees and positions across campus when decisions are being adjudicated by and/or for students.
If you are interested in becoming a board member or a club member fill out the interest form to let us know!
Multicultural Student Union Club Meetings
Date: Meets Every Monday
Time: 10:00pm–11:00am
Location (Virtual) Via Zoom: https://wctc.zoom.us/j/93155063686
Student Club, Multicultural Resource Center
800 Main Street | Pewaukee, WI 53072
College Center, Room C-125
Email: msunion@my.wctc.edu
Facebook: @WCTCMSU
Instagram: @wctcmsu
Wisconsin Technical College System Resources
WTCS Prioritizes Diversity Equity Inclusion
How to Create An Inclusive Classroom
Understanding Microaggressions
Responding to Microaggressions
COVID - 19 UPDATES
COVID -19 Updates, if you encounter someone not/incorrectly using a mask politely ask to cover with the mask. If they refuse, state, I need to fulfill my obligation to call security.
- Avoid Debate
- Repeat the Expectation
- State Your Obligation
- Calmly Inform that you are Calling
Call
Pete Latona: 262.691.5225
Ryan Jones: 262.239.9136
Security: 262.229.7008 or 262.691.5566
Everyone must wear a face mask inside any WCTC building.
If students have a combination of symptoms of it is acceptable to stay at home and miss classes. Just notify the instructor of the situation.
CDC symptom list:
- Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing
- Sore Throat
- Fever or Chills
- Cough
- Congestion or Runny Nose
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle or Body Aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
- New Loss of Taste or Smell
If someone tests positive, contact Bruce Neumann and find out the next steps.
Bruce Neumann: 262.364.8793FALL WEBINAR RECORDINGS
September is National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. (In September, The MRC welcomed educator and artist Javier Avila, who performed his smash hit The Trouble with My Name. (Check out the recorded webinar.)
October is LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It was founded in 1994 by Missouri high school history teacher Rodney Wilson (Check out the recorded webinar)
LGBT+101 and Ally Development with Jen Murray. The program is dedicated to providing support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals (LGBTQ) at the college. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to become ALLYs by attending this training on issues affecting the LGBTQ community and heterosexism. (Check out the recorded webinar)
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
November is Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. (Check out the recorded webinar)
December is National Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on December 10 every year. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on Dec.10, 1948. (Check out the recorded webinar)
The MRC Scoop Newsletter Next Release Date: 8/16/2021
Department of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Compliance