May 16, 2019
Media Contact
Christel Henke, STIR Advertising
[email protected] | 414-278-0040
MATC and NBF Partner to Draw Students Closer to Commercial Design Careers
MILWAUKEE, WI May 16, 2019 – Real-world commercial design experience will give Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) students an edge thanks to a new partnership with National Business Furniture (NBF) which launches today during a year-end student portfolio show at NBF’s West Allis showroom (770 S 70th Street).
The NBF/MATC Student Design Lab partnership, which was piloted during the fall semester, positions National Business Furniture employees as professional mentors to 16 commercial design students through a series of hands-on sessions at NBF. These sessions assist MATC students in learning how to plan safe, efficient and functional commercial spaces. Students also engage with NBF commercial design professionals to learn the soft skills needed for this career. It’s also an easy commute for students as NBF is located right down the street from MATC’s West Allis Campus where the commercial design program is based.
“The Student Design Lab has given me real life experience which has helped me to perfect my craft and build my future in interior design,” said Ashanti James-Scott, a senior who was selected as NBF’s first student design intern during the pilot program. “You really see how much communication and teamwork it takes to create a successful design project.”
The NBF/MATC Student Design Lab will be an annual program available to second-year commercial design students. It will culminate each year in a portfolio show and one student from each class will be selected to receive a semester-long NBF design internship. During the May 16 event, three internship finalists will be determined with a final selection to be made by end of May. For more information on this program, visit NBF/MATC Student Design Lab.
“NBF is proud to team with MATC and connect these students with our field experts who can share their practical knowledge and experience. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these talented designers,” said NBF President Allan Klotsche.
"This partnership is providing more hands-on, real-world experience for our students, continuing to ensure that they are career ready on day one,” said Dorothy Walker, Interim Dean of MATC’s School of Technology and Applied Sciences. “We are grateful for NBF and the work of our team to make this partnership a reality."
MATC and NBF leaders attending the event include: MATC Interim Dean of Technology & Applied Sciences Dorothy Walker, Associate Dean of Technology & Applied Sciences Technical & Industrial Administration Kamela Goodwyn, MATC Interior Design Department Chair and instructor Mary Walgren, NBF President Allan Klotsche, and NBF Space Planning and Design Asst. Manager Tonya Dybdahl.
All of the graduation-eligible students who were involved in this program will cross the MATC graduation stage tomorrow, May 17. More than half of the students already have internships or job offers in their desired design field.
About Milwaukee Area Technical College
Wisconsin’s largest technical college and the most diverse two-year institution in the Midwest,
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers 200 academic programs; transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 35 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the national standard for academics and student services.
About National Business Furniture
With the mission to improve every workplace, National Business Furniture offers a wide variety of products that can ship today, exclusive products from its NBF Signature Series line, expert service, a dedicated outside sales force and an unbeatable lifetime guarantee. To request a free catalog or to browse the complete selection of office furniture, such as desks, chairs, file cabinets, bookcases and reception furniture, visit nationalbusinessfurniture.com.
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