MKE Scholars Summer Experience

This year we are looking to alleviate as many conflicts as possible (vacations, New Student Orientation dates, other summer programs, etc.) Switching the program to one week allows you to plan more intentionally and avoid missing crucial days of the experience.  

The MKE Scholars Program is run by Associate Director, Ariel Milton-Kern and Student Success Coach, Isabella (Isa) Virrueta. Please contact us at mkescholars-program@uwm.edu  with any questions regarding the program. For more urgent questions or concerns, please contact us directly by email or phone.

With Panther Pride,
Ariel Milton-Kern | Associate Director, MKE Scholars Program | miltona@uwm.edu  | 414.251.6043
Isabella Virrueta | Student Success Coach, MKE Scholars Program | virruet2@uwm.edu  | 414.251.7577

Due to our changing format we will not be providing housing this summer, however we’re happy to provide guidance and support if you are interested in living on-campus.

We will provide necessary materials for the week-long experience. You are welcome to bring your own materials and devices if you so choose.

Scholars will be provide breakfast and lunch all four days of the program. We will also provide additional light snacks. We will also provide water bottles.  

Because this is a one-week program, attendance is mandatory. Please review both options to review if one week works better than the other. Please contact the MKE Scholars team at mkescholars-program@uwm.edu if you have more concerns or if you are not local to the Milwaukee area.

No, this is an in-person experience. We will not be recording workshops and the service event is in-person. 

The expectation is that students attend all four days of the Summer Experience. Please plan accordingly. 

You will be engaged Monday through Thursday from 9:30am-3:30pm during your chosen week (June option or August option). 

Students may utilize surface lots, parking garages, and street parking during the summer experience. Please note that you are responsible for following all parking enforcement rules and regulations. We strongly encourage you to carpool if you have a friend who will also be attending the Summer Experience.

You cannot participate in New Student Orientation and the MKE Scholars Summer Experience at the same week. Your one-day New Student Orientation program session is an all day experience; as is every day of the MKE Scholars Summer Experience. Please review the two weeks offered (one in June and one in August), select the week that works best for you, and plan your New Student Orientation date accordingly.

At this time our dates and times do not conflict for the 2025 SSS summer program so a student may participate in both if they so choose. If you’re unsure about participating in the SSS summer program, we strongly encourage you to participate in the SSS program during the regular academic year (starting in Fall) along with the MKE Scholars Program. Please reach out to SSS programming directly with any questions related to their summer program

Yes, on average more than 50% of our participants maintain part-time employment or external responsibilities while engaged in our summer experience and the regular academic year. Please work with your employer to secure time for this program. 

At this time dates and times do not conflict for both of these programs. As such, students may be able to participate in both. Please refer to UR@UWM Summer program for more information.

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided during both week-long summer experiences at no cost to the student. Additionally, transportation from campus to service events will be included at no cost to the student.

Please note participants are responsible for covering the cost of parking if they intend to drive their own vehicle to the summer experience. Parking on campus is not free and if you choose make use of the parking garages, surface lots, or street parking please follow all parking rules and regulations. MKE Scholars is not responsible for any parking tickets. Parking prices may vary, please review the UWM parking and transportation page for more information: https://uwm.edu/transportation/parking/

The 2026 summer dates are from Monday, August 10th – Friday, August 14th, 2026. You are asked to plan for the required engagement: Monday through Friday from 9:00am-3:00pm. Please remember that you are required to attend the summer session. 

Prior to summer starting, you will be reminded of the time commitment for summer. With knowing the time commitment in advance, we ask that you plan accordingly to accommodate your MKE Scholars Program responsibilities, in addition to, any external commitments. This includes commitments related to your familial, home, childcare, spousal/partner, special appointments, summer travel plans, and in case of emergency/unexpected event processes. The expectation is that you will treat this experience as a priority.   

Let’s not even worry about this so early! Our team will be there to support and challenge throughout the summer. However, we recognize that you may not be ready to embark on the full college experience post-summer. We will be working with you throughout the week-long summer experience as well as the rest of the summer through 1:1 meetings where we meet with scholars individually to discuss progress and next steps.