Welcome!
As a community-driven partnership founded in 2015, M³ (pronounced M-Cubed) connects
Milwaukee’s youth to clear pathways for higher education. Through collaboration across Milwaukee Public School (MPS), Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), we ensure seamless transitions from high school to college with dual enrollment, immersive campus visits, work-based learning, and guidance on financial aid and applications. This partnership builds bridges that support and empower students at every step along their journey.
For more information, contact us at M-Cubed@uwm.edu.
Accolades
In November 2024, we were honored to be recognized by the highly respected Wisconsin Policy Forum with its annual award for Intergovernmental Cooperation.
Mission
M³ seeks to transform the future of Milwaukee through education. Through collaboration and coordination, MPS, MATC, and UWM will increase the retention, graduation and career success of our students and provide a prepared workforce and citizenry for the Wisconsin economy. M³ also will provide the education and resources to help drive an entrepreneurial mindset for all students to increase choices and opportunities for growth.
As a partnership among public institutions serving diverse populations, M³ strives to lift up individuals, improve the community and build the region’s diverse workforce pipeline.
Vision
The creation of a comprehensive, quality public education network that lifts our city and nurtures our students as they develop into the critical thinkers, strong leaders and innovators who will help Milwaukee thrive for decades to come. We will transform the way we educate students and make it easier for students to transition between our institutions.
History
Providing a quality education to as many Milwaukeeans as possible is a key to unlocking Milwaukee’s potential and driving economic growth and prosperity in the region. Providing access to a high-quality education, ensures the people in our community are prepared for good-paying jobs.
Milwaukee’s three largest public educators — Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — have partnered to be key change agents by forming M³. The name reflects the exponential collaboration and leveraging of our three institutions to produce greater student success and career preparedness. The three partners share an important joint goal: To serve urban populations with an open access mission and philosophy.
Founded in the spring of 2015 and publicly launched in January 2017, M³ is dedicated to achieving student success in Milwaukee, from kindergarten through college. MATC President Anthony Cruz, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius and UWM Chancellor Thomas Gibson are the executive sponsors of the initiative and believe that marshaling the resources of their institutions can make a dramatic, positive impact on the greater Milwaukee community.
2025 Impact Report
Across Milwaukee, students are discovering what’s possible for their futures by touring colleges, earning college credits, and connecting with mentors. In 2024–25, more than 1,900 high school students joined college tours; 2,000 earned college credit; and more than 1,100 met local employers ready to hire. At the same time, 300 educators united to align learning from classroom to career, and families strengthened their roles as partners in their children’s success. Guided by two goals — Connecting Learning to Career Pathways and Supporting Transitions — M-Cubed continues to make these steps seamless, helping every student move forward with purpose, confidence, and support. The report linked below shares the stories, outcomes, and partnerships behind these numbers. Each one is a bridge helping Milwaukee’s students move confidently toward their goals.
