Over five days in December, nearly 1,400 Milwaukee ninth-grade students stepped onto the UW-Milwaukee campus to participate in Explore Tomorrow Today. The program welcomed students from Milwaukee Public Schools and other Milwaukee-area schools, providing an immersive and inspiring look at college life.
In partnership with M-Cubed and the UWM Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the event featured three key components – an immersive campus tour, a student-led panel discussion and a resource fair – all with the goal of demystifying college and empowering students to see themselves as future college graduates.
Exploring campus
The visit began with guided tours of key locations on campus, including Sandburg Hall, the Klotsche Center, Bolton Hall and the UWM Student Union. Students explored the gym, workout facilities, classrooms and dining spaces while getting a glimpse of life as a UWM student. The tours offered not only practical insight into campus life but also a sense of freedom and excitement that resonated with the students.
“I really enjoyed the freedom of a college campus,” one student said. Another added, “Seeing everything the campus has to offer was very exciting and mind-blowing.”
The experience also gave students a chance to imagine themselves as independent learners, navigating campus on their own. “I enjoyed being on my own during the lunch passing period,” one student said.
After the tours, students gathered for a student-led panel discussion to hear from current UWM students. Panelists shared candid stories about their journeys – choosing majors, transitioning to college life and discovering a sense of belonging on campus.
Students appreciated the real-life perspectives and advice from those who were just a few years ahead of them.
“I liked how we got to interact with other schools and had real-life UWM students telling us their experiences,” said one participant. Another student said “learning about my opportunities and what could help me in the future” was a highlight.
The panel also allowed students to ask questions, building a bridge between their current high school experience and the possibilities of college life.
A resource fair
The final stop of the day was in the student union, where students participated in a resource fair showcasing UWM’s academic programs, student resources and campus organizations. A punch-card system encouraged the high school students to visit multiple tables, and the hands-on vision board activity inspired them to imagine their future selves.
For many, the resource fair provided clarity about what college could offer and how to take the next steps toward their goals.
By the end of the day, students walked away with a clearer picture of what higher education could look like for them. The program showed high school students that college is not only attainable but also a place where they can thrive.
One student summed it up this way: “I liked how easy everything was to understand, so I didn’t feel overwhelmed but still had a clear picture of what UWM has to offer.”
