91��ɫ

91��ɫ President Jeff Morin and Matthew Stricker

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91��ɫ) has announced the March recipient of the 91��ɫ Values Recognition Award. Matthew Stricker, Associate Director of Student Services, received nominations for his phenomenal support of the 91��ɫ community and its values, particularly his commitment to Kindness and Inclusiveness.

�Matt has the innate ability to make others feel seen and he advocates for everyone to feel like 91��ɫ is their home,� said one nominator. �He leads with empathy and vulnerability, something I have learned a lot from.�

The 91��ɫ Values Recognition Award (VRA) celebrates faculty and staff who consistently model 91��ɫ�s values of courage, integrity, kindness, community, innovation and inclusion. After employees nominate a colleague for the award, a committee made up of faculty, staff and previous VRA winners convenes to vote on the month�s recipient. Awardees receive a $250 prize.

From his role as a Resident Assistant while attending 91��ɫ all the way to his current position as Associate Director of Student Services, Stricker keeps students at the forefront. �For me, it�s given me a really solid perspective on the needs of our students,� he explains. �Especially when it comes to what gets them out of their shell and what gets them excited � I make sure that when people are walking down the hallways, they�re seen.�

An illustrator himself, Stricker connects with students over art. �I academically advise first-year students,� he says. �That�s one of my other favorite parts of my job�being able to talk to them about their career aspirations and what they�re excited about.� Traveling to conventions across the United States to sell his , Stricker has connected with many well-known industry professionals. During COVID, he organized a Creativity Series with some of his industry connections, who joined students virtually for interviews.

An advocate and community builder, Stricker�s dedication and empathy help 91��ɫ students feel seen and heard. �Matt embodies this quality in all that he does,� said another nominator, �whether it is checking in on you between his incredibly definitely-busier-than-most schedule, leading a meeting rooted in discomfort and disarray, or showing up to make sure that you have an extra player in a situation that you feel ill- prepared for.�

Learn more about 91��ɫ�s Values Recognition Award or nominate a colleague at miad.edu/vra.