MILWAUKEE, WI. (MAY 2, 2024)— College Possible Milwaukee, a leading nonprofit dedicated to college access and success for Wisconsin students that has empowered more than 4,480 scholars from under-resourced communities since its founding in 2008, is proud to announce its new name, College Possible Wisconsin. In the 2021-2022 school year, College Possible Wisconsin served a diverse student population, with 89 percent of its learners identifying as students of color and 88 percent identifying as first-generation college students, with an average household income of under $29,000.
“We are witnessing persistent disparities in college enrollment for historically underserved populations in our state, and we must do better by these students,” said Marco Morrison, executive director at College Possible Wisconsin. “We are thrilled to have our name change reflect the services we have provided and will continue to expand to the entire state to ensure that every student has the opportunity to pursue and achieve their postsecondary aspirations.”
The transition from College Possible Milwaukee to College Possible Wisconsin aligns with the organization’s strategic vision to broaden its reach and impact. By aligning the organization’s name change with the true impact of its services statewide, College Possible Wisconsin aims to serve a greater number of students from diverse backgrounds and communities, ensuring equitable access to higher education opportunities. Almost 70% of College Possible Milwaukee students opt to pursue higher education within the state. By September 2023, the program boasted 846 actively enrolled college students, with 514 of them selecting colleges and universities within the state.
Data from the Student Success Through Applied Research (SSTAR) Lab show that college-going rates are typically 20 percentage points higher for white and Asian students in Wisconsin, as compared to college-going rates for American Indian, Black, and Hispanic students. Meanwhile, college-going rates are much higher for non-economically disadvantaged students in the state, showing a 27 percentage point increase when compared to students who are economically disadvantaged.
“College Possible’s success has created a demand for their assistance throughout the state. We’re confident their work will bring more students to Universities in southeast Wisconsin and subsequently more college graduates to our employers.” Dale Kooyenga, President of the MMAC (Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce)
College Possible Wisconsin has a rich history of empowering students to overcome barriers and achieve their college dreams. Since its establishment, the organization has provided comprehensive support services to students, including test preparation, college application assistance, ongoing coaching throughout their college journey, and helping students find applicable scholarships for students and students’ “best fit” schools based on academic, social, and financial factors. The organization’s model matches eligible scholars with near-peer coaches and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree — all at no cost to scholars or their families. This rebranding reflects the organization’s commitment to expanding its impact beyond Milwaukee to serve students statewide.
For more information about College Possible Wisconsin and its programs, please visit collegepossible.org/Wisconsin.
About College Possible Wisconsin:
College Possible Wisconsin, formerly College Possible Milwaukee, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making college accessible and achievable for all Wisconsin students. Through comprehensive support services and strategic partnerships, College Possible Wisconsin empowers students to overcome barriers and succeed in higher education. With a commitment to equity and inclusivity, College Possible Wisconsin strives to create opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their college dreams.
