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The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh recently received a $216,500 College Success grant from the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. The grant will fund the “First Year Scholars” and the “Future Young Professionals” programs.

The goal of the programs is to help students achieve success in college, increasing retention and graduation rates. Both programs target first-generation, limited-income and/or students or color.   Students meeting one or more of those criteria are statistically more likely not to earn a baccalaureate degree.

The First Years Scholars program serves 100 first-year UW Oshkosh students. The program provides support services to the students through academic advising, academic and life skills development, financial aid and literacy assistance and mentoring.

First Year Scholars is beginning its second year, having debuted in fall 2012. As one student who participated in the program during 2012-13 academic year shared, “Overall I’m still trying to find who or what I want to be, but because of FYS I have the tools and will continue to increase my knowledge as a UW Oshkosh student.”

Future Young Professionals serves 25 students second-year students who were in First Year Scholars last year. Future Young Professionals prepares students for internships and relevant work experience. Students become aware of the current world of work, develop a personal career action plan, learn how to conduct an internship or job search, gain interview experience and develop a networking plan. In addition, they will participate in two short-term job shadowing experiences.

UW Oshkosh was one of 28 two-year, four-year and technical colleges awarded the Great Lakes College Success grant. The programs are spread across Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, serving more than 4,000 undergraduate students.

Student Support Services submitted this announcement. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to contribute calendar items, campus announcements and other good news to UW Oshkosh Today.