A note to the friends and supporters of College Possible Wisconsin, from Lauren McDuffie, program director.
Thank you for your commitment to College Possible Wisconsin and to empowering students. Your investment provides support for students in achieving their goal of attaining a college degree, putting them in a position to change the financial trajectory of their families. Thank you for supporting our mission as we work together to strengthen our state.
Because of your belief in our mission, we are delivering strong, measurable results for Wisconsin students. Since 2014, we have empowered more than 1,000 college graduates, and this year we remain steadfast in our dedication to scale high-quality programming that moves students from high school to college — and now increasingly toward career success.
New this year, College Possible Wisconsin adapted our coaching model while staying grounded in what has always set our work apart: personalized, student-centered support. For many years, this work was powered by AmeriCorps members. Today, it is led by full-time professional advising specialists, a strategic shift that strengthens consistency, deepens expertise, and positions our work for long-term sustainability.
Advisors are now supported by a technology platform, built in partnership with Salesforce, that reduces administrative load, enabling them to invest more time where it matters most: building deep, high-impact, one-on-one relationships that keep students supported, accountable, and moving forward.
For many students, this support fills critical knowledge gaps at exactly the right moment. As Citlaly, now a freshman at Marquette University, shared: “College Possible helped me understand so many things I would’ve never figured out on my own. From how financial aid works, to what to look for in a campus, to how to make the most of student organizations, it was all new to me.”
Through our structured curriculum, full-time coaches guide students through the milestones that matter most for college and career success. This includes personalized college list development, hands-on application and essay support, FAFSA and financial aid completion, scholarship planning, college transition preparation, and ongoing coaching once students arrive on campus.
Dulce, now a graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College, reflected: “My advisor, Ben, was a true blessing. He helped guide me through every step: from college applications to financial aid and everything in between. Students often feel lost in that process, but because of him, I never felt alone.”
This fall and winter, we hosted several laptop distribution events in partnership with the United Way of Wisconsin’s Techquity program, placing approximately 100 laptops directly into the hands of students and ensuring they have the tools needed to thrive in college and beyond. In addition, we coordinated and executed numerous campus visits, ensuring they have meaningful opportunities to experience college environments firsthand and make informed decisions about their futures.
This proactive coaching often shapes students’ academic trajectories in lasting ways. As Omari, now a graduate of UW-Madison, shared, “I was planning to go to a two-year college, but my coach pushed me to apply to UW-Madison and helped me through every step of the process. Whenever I had questions or needed advice, College Possible was there. Having that support system made a huge difference. My coach’s support helped me believe in myself and aim higher.”
Today, College Possible Wisconsin is serving 380 high school students across Milwaukee, Racine, and Stevens Point. Early indicators are strong. As of February 2026:
- 61% of the Class of 2026 has already been accepted to college
- 66% have completed the FAFSA, with additional gains expected this spring
At the success level, our team currently supports 913 enrolled college students nationwide, providing individualized advising designed to improve persistence and degree completion.
Looking ahead, we are expanding our work to include more career pathways programming, an important step in ensuring students can translate their degrees into strong economic mobility. This initiative provides students with access to local employers early in their academic journeys, enabling them to envision careers that match their interests and goals, and develop the skills necessary to be strong candidates for internships and employment.
As College Possible marks its 25th year nationally, our Wisconsin site remains focused on deepening local impact and outcomes. Thank you for the role you play in this work and for the trust you place in College Possible Wisconsin. Together, we are working every day with urgency and intention to ensure a student’s background does not determine their academic and career opportunities.
