MILWAUKEE_The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Education and City Year Milwaukee are establishing a partnership that will provide scholarships to members and alumni of the City Year program who enroll in UWM’s School of Education. This is the first agreement of its kind with a Wisconsin university that City Year has established.

“City Year corps members spend a year exploring and affirming their commitment to education,” said Rob Longwell-Grice, senior adviser in the School of Education’s Office of Student Services. “UWM-SOE values this experience because our mission is to prepare high caliber educators to serve the students in the region in a variety of careers, including teaching.”

City Year AmeriCorps members and alumni are eligible for one of five renewable $2,000 annual scholarships. City Year, which currently operates in 28 U.S. cities, sends AmeriCorps members into high-need schools to help students stay on track through graduation. Last year, City Year Milwaukee corps members provided tutoring, mentoring and classroom assistance to more than 7,400 students in 11 Milwaukee Public Schools.

Several students who’ve worked with the City Year program are enrolled in the School of Education. Ebenezer (Ben) Keane-Rudolph, now a sophomore in the School of Education, spent two years with City Year in Milwaukee Public Schools after graduating from high school in Minnesota. “After my first year, I knew I wanted to teach and I wanted to teach here in Milwaukee. Teaching is hard, but there are plenty of good stories – moments when you can say this is why I do this.” He came to UWM’s School of Education because of its focus on urban education, he said.

“Our AmeriCorps members receive more than 300 hours of training during their year of service in Milwaukee schools, and gain valuable skills as they work directly with students on a full-time basis, providing academic and social-emotional supports designed to help children reach their full potential,” said Meralis Hood, managing director of impact for City Year Milwaukee. “An increasing number of our corps members are interested in a career in education after their year of service, and we are excited that UWM’s School of Education is offering scholarships to our diverse and talented alumni.”

For more information, contact Kate Niemer, 414-431-6821, kniemer@cityyear.org.

About UWM

Recognized as one of the nation’s 115 top research universities, UW-Milwaukee provides a world-class education to 26,000 students from 89 countries on a budget of $667 million. Its 14 schools and colleges include Wisconsin’s only schools of architecture, freshwater sciences and public health, and it is a leading educator of nurses and teachers. UW-Milwaukee partners with leading companies to conduct joint research, offer student internships and serve as an economic engine for southeastern Wisconsin. The Princeton Review named UW-Milwaukee a 2017 “Best Midwestern” university based on overall academic excellence and student reviews, as well as a top “Green College.”

About City Year

 City Year is dedicated to helping students and schools succeed. Diverse teams of City Year AmeriCorps members provide high-impact student, classroom and school-wide supports to help students stay in school and on track to graduate from high school, ready for college and career success. A 2015 study shows that schools that partner with City Year were up to 2-3 times more likely to improve on math and English assessments. A proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network, City Year is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, local school districts, and private philanthropy from corporations, foundations and individuals. Learn more at www.cityyear.org, City Year’s Facebook page, and on Twitter.