For Owen Saiia, the best part of his senior year in high school was going to college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saiia, who graduated this spring from Milwaukee Public Schools\u2019 Milwaukee High School of the Arts, took courses at Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee through M\u00b3 (pronounced “M-Cubed”), an innovative, nationally-recognized collaboration among the institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students in the M\u00b3 College Connections dual enrollment program attend college classes and earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. Heading into its fifth year, College Connections saves students money and prepares them for college-level work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe instructors gave us a glimpse into what college is like,\u201d said Saiia, who plans to study political science at UWM. \u201cWe learned time management and how to use different learning tools. It was an invaluable experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of this year’s 152 participants, 89 \u2014 including Saiia \u2014 were seniors and were recognized in a special graduation ceremony on June 15 at MATC. College Connections is just one program of the M\u00b3 initiative, which aims to help boost student achievement, ensure students have necessary resources to advance to college and into the workforce, and close the equity gap in educational attainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a huge accomplishment,\u201d James Sokolowski, MPS\u2019 postsecondary engagement coordinator, told the graduates. \u201cYou might not realize how huge until you get to a college campus and you don\u2019t have to take some classes that other students have to take.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is going to give you a huge boost in your college trajectory,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program boosted the confidence of Samira Perez, who graduated from MPS\u2019 Riverside University High School. She completed two levels of calculus at MATC and knew she was ready for the next step of her academic career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThose classes really prepared me the most,\u201d said Perez, who plans to attend Milwaukee School of Engineering in the fall. \u201cI feel a lot more prepared for college now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M\u00b3 College Connections graduates get into college at a higher rate than other students, pass math courses at a higher rate than other high school graduates, and are automatically accepted at MATC and UWM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis program is a win for everyone,\u201d said Mohammad Dakwar, MATC\u2019s vice president of learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MPS provides lunches and pays for the College Connections classes. MATC provides bus passes for all students and offers math and science courses. UWM provides classes in social studies, psychology and other subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2019, the broader M\u00b3 partnership earned national recognition at the University Economic Development Association conference for showing how putting the right people in the right environment benefits the community and economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2022 College Connections graduating class collectively earned 1,840 college credits, said MPS Superintendent Keith Posley. At an average of $300 per credit, the students saved $552,000 in college tuition, he said. Since the program started in 2019, more than 400 students have earned a total of 5,002 college credits – a cost savings of $1.5 million, Posley added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first graduating group had 32 students. Today, 152 students from 21 MPS schools are enrolled in the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTell your friends and tell your peers to participate in this wonderful program,\u201d Posley said. \u201cWhen I look out at you, I know the future is bright.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Graduates attended the June 15 celebration wearing caps and gowns in their high school colors. A slideshow of students revealed a wide variety of college destinations and study plans, from political science to computer engineering to medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t allow anyone \u2013 even yourself \u2013 to put limits on what you can do with your life,\u201d Marc Young, UWM\u2019s executive director of undergraduate admissions, said in the keynote address to graduates. \u201cYou are in the best position to shape your future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UWM Chancellor Mark Mone urged graduates to stay in the region once they completed their college studies and help make the Milwaukee area workforce stronger, smarter and more diverse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need you here,\u201d Mone said. \u201cAnd we want you here.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"