About UWM TRIO and Pre-College Programs
The UWM TRIO & Pre-College Programs offer participants access to educational resources, services, and opportunities, including tutoring, academic skill development, college visits, and residential experiences. The primary objective is to increase the number of individuals who successfully complete high school, attend college, and graduate. We firmly believe that education empowers communities to inspire future generations and foster positive personal growth. While post-secondary education is widely recognized as fundamental to aid individual success, significant barriers remain, which can impact educational aspirations, college enrollment, retention, and graduation rates.
Since the 1960s, Pre-College programs at UWM have been dedicated to addressing barriers and improving retention and completion in higher education for all students. Supported by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the programs have helped hundreds of thousands of students. Over time, and fueled by the Higher Education Act of 1965, these programs expanded to include federally funded TRIO programs, offering additional support and services for students to enhance academic achievement and college attendance. Currently, UWM’s TRIO & Pre-College Programs consist of 14 distinct initiatives serving both K-12 students and adults, including four TRIO programs funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Education.
