When Salman Ibrahim, a senior at Ronald Reagan High School, heard he could take a real college engineering class while still in high school — and for free — he didn’t hesitate.
“This way, I can try it out and see if I like it,” he said. “Since it’s free, I don’t have to spend money if I change my mind later.”
Ibrahim is one of 19 Milwaukee Public Schools seniors spending Fridays this year at UWM, earning three credits for taking Introduction to Engineering.
The opportunity comes through the M3 College Connections Pathways Program, a partnership between UWM, MPS, and MATC that allows high school students to take college-level classes in fields like nursing, psychology, education, and architecture. This year, engineering joined the list for the first time.
How it works
Through College Connections, seniors take English and math courses at MATC for most of the week. On Fridays, they take their chosen elective course. The engineering course, taught by faculty member Madiha Ahmed, gives students an early look at what the field is really like. It’s also a chance to ease into the college environment, said Chris Beimborn, UWM’s STEM outreach manager.
“This class gives students a chance to explore their interests and get familiar with the college experience,” Beimborn said. “MPS’s career and college readiness mentors will provide support services. But students also will have access to campus resources like tutoring, so they’ll be set up for success.”
Other students weigh in
For Jayla Harris of Golda Meir High School, the addition of the engineering class is more than an experiment — it’s a launchpad. “I want to be an engineer, and this helps me get a head start,” she said. “And if I’m already acclimated here [at UWM], and if I like the program, then why not stay?”
Abeedah Adebayo, a senior at Rufus King High School, is attracted to engineering because it combines her favorite things. “I decided I wanted to be an engineer because I love working hands-on and with computers,” she said. “This major lets me do both.”
She said she was already leaning toward UWM for college so the free course is just icing on the cake.