The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Waukesha County Technical College are expanding access to affordable higher education in Waukesha County with the opening of the UWM University Center at WCTC. The center’s opening was celebrated during a ribbon-cutting event on June 20.
The center serves as a one-stop hub for WCTC students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree through UWM, offering streamlined advising, transfer support, and access to UWM programs both online and on the WCTC campus.
“Today we are celebrating more than just a physical space—this is a bridge. A bridge that connects students in Waukesha County to affordable, high-quality education and to the career opportunities that follow,” UWM Chancellor Mark Mone said.
Starting this fall, students will be able to take UWM courses in social work, information science and technology, and business either online or at WCTC. UWM plans to expand course offerings over time to include engineering, artificial intelligence, health science and more.
The center is designed to support students at every stage of their academic journey. Associate degree students can explore and plan for bachelor’s programs early. Associate degree graduates can seamlessly transfer credits and continue their education locally, and returning students with college credits can work with advisors to find the most efficient path to a degree.
The center is the first of its kind for UWM and is part of a broader initiative to build partnerships with technical colleges in the region and increase accessibility of bachelor’s degree programs.
“This center is just the beginning,” Mone said. “We see tremendous potential for growth here, as we continue to develop new ways to serve our students and communities, and this center can serve as a model throughout our state.”
UWM has transfer agreements in place with WCTC and five other regional technical colleges that guarantee associate degree holders from those institutions admission to UWM with at least 60 credits transferred.
