Milwaukee Area Technical College's inaugural vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion has filed a federal lawsuit against the institution, alleging retaliatory termination after she reported racial and disability discrimination concerns.
Eva Martinez Powless
Eva Martinez Powless, who served as MATC's first DEI officer starting in 2021, claims in the lawsuit filed December 30 in the U.S. Eastern District Court that she faced retaliation after advocating for a Black employee with disabilities and speaking out against discriminatory practices at the college.
According to the complaint, Martinez Powless repeatedly raised concerns to her supervisor, human resources, and the college president about discrimination against a Black employee requiring accommodations. She also reported alleged disparaging comments made about Black employees.
The lawsuit contends that after voicing these concerns, Martinez Powless experienced what she describes as systematic retaliation, including “bullying and micro-aggressions, micromanaging her to the point that she could not perform her job duties, excluding her from relevant and critical communications and decision-making, and ultimately terminating her.”
Martinez Powless, who is Latina, reported directly to Executive Vice President Phillip King and then-President Vicki Martin, both of whom are white. Martin has since retired, and the college is now led by President Anthony Cruz, who is Hispanic.
Prior to her role at MATC, Martinez Powless accumulated 17 years of higher education experience at Marquette University and MATC, working in administration, enrollment, student affairs, and multicultural outreach. In September 2023, she was promoted to interim vice president of enrollment and retention, reporting to King.
