Find Out About New Adult Program at UW-Waukesha on March 9

WAUKESHA – An information session about Paving the Path to College will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 9 at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha in Commons 101.

Paving the Path to College, inspired by UW-Madison’s Odyssey Project, helps adult students gain a voice and a sense of empowerment through lively discussion of literature, history, philosophy, art and writing. Tuition is covered by sponsors and donations.

The informational meeting will provide background on the program, demonstrate a “mini class” of what one of the sessions would be like, and give people an opportunity to fill out applications, said program coordinator Ellyn Lem, associate professor of English.

Lem said she was inspired to bring this program, which is facilitated through the college’s Continuing Education department, to UW-Waukesha because she believes that there are many barriers preventing people in the community from pursuing a college education. 

“Some were never encouraged to think about higher education and many individuals see cost as a barrier,” she said.  “I liked the idea of seeing how we could remove the obstacles that make college education seem prohibitive and give adults the chance to try courses with stimulating material and also supply practical guidance on necessary steps for ‘college survival.’ From what I have heard about the Odyssey Project, I saw countless examples of people’s lives being transformed in multiple ways from taking these classes.” 

Students enrolled in the program will take a two-credit course taught by UW-Waukesha faculty. The course will be taught over four Saturdays in June (1, 8, 15 and 22) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A complimentary breakfast and lunch are included.

The Odyssey Project, which began in New York and has been implemented in Chicago and Madison, is built around the idea that studying the important “classic” works in the humanities can lead to a personal and intellectual transformation and should be offered to all citizens, regardless of economic background and educational preparedness. Students will read, discuss and write about such works as Plato’s “Apology,” Shakespeare’s “Othello” and “The Autobiography of Frederick Douglass.”

The program is limited to eight to 10 students, and applications must be received by April 15. Students must have received their high school diploma, High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or General Educational Development certificate (GED). As part of the application, prospective students also must complete an introductory essay in which they explain their interest in the program.

Others who have helped get Paving the Path to College off the ground include Susan Adams, director of Continuing Education; James Boling, associate student services coordinator; Joe Foy, associate dean and associate professor of political science; and professors Steve Decker (communication & theatre arts), Tim Dunn (philosophy), Margaret Hankenson (political science), Tim Thering (history), Debbie Paprocki (world languages) and Barb Reinhart (art).

“What we hope to accomplish is to pass on our love of learning to people who have been economically disenfranchised and help them create a path that will allow them to pursue education that will open doors and additional opportunities,” Lem said.

To apply, go to www.waukesha.uwc.edu/PavingThePath or to request an application by mail, call 262-521-5460. For more information, email Lem at ellyn.lem@uwc.edu or James Boling, associate student services coordinator, at james.boling@uwc.edu.

UW-Waukesha

UW–Waukesha has the largest enrollment among the 13 UW Colleges campuses.  These freshman/sophomore campuses and UW Colleges Online comprise the UW Colleges. They offer an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree and prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for baccalaureate and professional programs. In addition, UW-Waukesha offers several collaborative bachelor’s degrees through UW-Milwaukee and UW-Oshkosh.

For information about programs, admission or financial aid, contact the Student Services office at 262-521-5040 or visit the Web at www.waukesha.uwc.edu. You can follow the campus on Facebook or Twitter.