For Owen Saiia, the best part of his senior year in high school was going to college.
Saiia, who graduated this spring from Milwaukee Public Schools’ Milwaukee High School of the Arts, took courses at Milwaukee Area Technical College and UWM through M³ (pronounced “M-Cubed”), an innovative, nationally-recognized collaboration among the institutions.
Students in the M³ College Connections dual enrollment program attend college classes and earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. College Connections, which just completed its fourth year, saves students money and prepares them for college-level work.
“The instructors gave us a glimpse into what college is like,” said Saiia, who plans to study political science at UWM. “We learned time management and how to use different learning tools. It was an invaluable experience.”
Of this year’s 152 participants, 89 — including Saiia — were seniors and were recognized in a special graduation ceremony on June 15 at MATC.
“This is a huge accomplishment,” James Sokolowski, MPS’ postsecondary engagement coordinator, told the graduates. “You might not realize how huge until you get to a college campus and you don’t have to take some classes that other students have to take.”
“This is going to give you a huge boost in your college trajectory,” he added.
The program boosted the confidence of Samira Perez, who graduated from MPS’ Riverside University High School. After completing two levels of calculus at MATC, Perez knew she was ready for the next step of her academic career.
“Those classes really prepared me the most,” said Perez, who plans to attend Milwaukee School of Engineering in the fall. “I feel a lot more prepared for college now.”
M³ 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.
“This program is a win for everyone,” said Mohammad Dakwar, MATC’s vice president of learning.
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.
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.
The first College Connections group had 32 students . This year, the 152 students enrolled in the program came from 21 MPS schools.
“Tell your friends and tell your peers to participate in this wonderful program,” Posley said. “When I look out at you, I know the future is bright.”
Graduates attended the celebration wearing caps and gowns in their high school colors. A slideshow of students revealed a variety of college destinations and study plans, from political science to computer engineering to medicine.
Students in the M³ College Connections dual enrollment program attend college classes and earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. College Connections, which just completed its fourth year, saves students money and prepares them for college-level work.
“Don’t allow anyone – even yourself – to put limits on what you can do with your life,” Marc Young, UWM’s executive director of undergraduate admissions, said in the keynote address to graduates. “You are in the best position to shape your future.”
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.
“We need you here,” Mone said. “And we want you here.”
College Connections is just one program of the M³ initiative, which is designed 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.
