This May, College Possible Wisconsin hosted its 11th Annual Dream Big Dinner, an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating the power of education, uplifting student voices, and reaffirming our commitment to creating access to college success across the state.
With more than 15 years of proven impact in Wisconsin, we know that when students are supported, they thrive. Since launching in Milwaukee in 2009, we’ve empowered over 4,000 students from low-income backgrounds to successfully earn their college degrees. This year’s event served as both a celebration of students and a call to action to preserve this meaningful pathway to opportunity and long-term economic mobility.
Throughout the evening, we were proud to honor exceptional partners and community champions.
- David Gay was presented with the Pat Wilmeth Award for his unwavering dedication to Wisconsin youth and years of support for our mission.
- The Green Bay Packers Foundation received the Community Impact Partner of the Year Award in recognition of their ongoing commitment to education.
- We also presented the inaugural Power of Possible Award to Citlaly, a College Possible student and Class of 2025 high school graduate, to support her as she embarks on her first year of college at Marquette University.
Citlaly shared:
As a first-generation college student, the idea of college and having to figure it out myself made me feel scared and overwhelmed. College Possible’s support made something that once felt scary and out of reach feel possible. Because of them, I’ve been able to dive into my college journey knowing that I am supported now and will continue to be supported as I take the next steps into college.”
Our featured student speaker, 2025 UW-Milwaukee graduate Nadia, delivered a powerful reflection on her journey to a college degree as a first-generation student. She spoke of the challenges she faced, the power of community, and how College Possible’s support helped her transform uncertainty into purpose.
In the wake of receiving official confirmation that College Possible Wisconsin’s AmeriCorps funding was terminated, we forged a path and vision for the future.
While we face an urgent shift following the loss of AmeriCorps, we see a clear opportunity to progress forward with a new sustainable program model that meets the evolving needs of students. This next chapter– already piloted and proven– is built to last, and we are embracing this transition with innovation, intentionality, and our students at the center.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, this year’s Dream Big Dinner raised critical funds to help students stay on the path to graduation. To all who joined us, gave, and believe in the power of education: thank you. You are helping turn dreams into degrees, and building a future where every Wisconsin student has the opportunity to thrive.
