Lawton Schlars

Programs

At UW-Milwaukee, we support inclusivity through various initiatives.

The U1.0: First Gen Initiative helps first-generation students with campus life, while the Lawton Program provides financial aid to need-based minority undergraduates. The DREAMERS Initiative supports undocumented students with resources and professional development. Additionally, the First-Generation+ Resource Center offers programs, services, and workshops for individual participation or office and classroom implementation, serving as diversity training tools.

Student Programs & Initiatives

U1.0: First Gen Initiative
U1.0 is a program designed to engage with and support first-generation students at UWM and its branch campuses. We provide assistance to help first-generation students get acclimated to life on campus. U1.0 regularly hosts events, both celebratory and educational, in order to connect with and support first-generation students in their academic, personal, and professional endeavors.
Lawton Program
The Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant Program (Lawton Program) is designed to provide financial assistance to need-based statutorily designated minority undergraduate students to improve their opportunities for retention and graduation and reduce the burden of student debt.
Lawton is INVITATION ONLY and students must meet the necessary eligibility requirements in order to be invited. 
DREAMERS
The DREAMERS Initiative was launched in summer 2016 to support undocumented students at UWM. This effort includes professional development for campus employees and resources for campus community members. The initiative recognizes dreamers are not monolithic.

Classroom Workshops, Tools & Services

The First-Generation+ Resource Center offers a wide range of programs, services, and workshops that you can participate in or request for your office or classroom.

Many of these programs and workshops serve as effective diversity training tools and are designed for easy implementation. Whether you are looking to enhance your understanding of first-generation experiences or seeking to foster a more inclusive environment, the First-Generation+ Resource Center provides the resources and support needed to achieve your goals.

Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz Mitzvah Fund
Established December 21, 2012, the Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz Mitzvah Fund (Mitzvah Fund) was created to foster greater understanding among students from various religious, cultural, ethnic and lifestyle student groups, and to engage students in working together to create and implement projects for the benefits of others.

The Mitzvah Fund has been used for student leadership training, professional development, and cultural and educational programs/events.
Contact the Mitzvah Fund
Courageous Conversations
A monthly event series created to offer a brave space to UWM students to talk about relevant topics in our society today. Each month will have a different topic with the topic being announced just prior to the event. We present unbiased topics to give you the chance to formulate your own opinions, ideas, and thoughts. The purpose is to allow attendees to take the conversation where they want it to go and explore each other’s perspectives in a completely judgment-free zone. This will enable students to learn from each other and see a different viewpoint from their own!
View Upcoming Courageous Conversations
Selfie
The purpose of the Selfie activity is to explore self-identity and what it means to self-identify. This activity is based on the assumption that awareness of your own perspective will further your understanding of others. It is difficult to understand, let alone respect other’s culture unless you know something about your own frames of reference. When your own system of rules and meanings can be embraced as simply “another voice,” a foundation is laid for the mutual respect that is necessary for appreciate intercultural communication.
Request a Selfie Workshop
Putting Them First
This training workshop provides a comprehensive look on what it means to be a first-generation student. Learn about the challenges that first-generation students face and how our office and UWM can help to remove barriers for our first-generation community.
Request a Putting Them First Workshop
UndocuAlly
The First-Generation+ Resource Center in collaboration with the UWM Undocumented Student Task Force provides the following professional development opportunities for students and all campus employees who are interested in supporting undocumented students and becoming an ally.
Request an UndocuAlly Workshop