University of Wisconsin - Rock County
2909 Kellogg Avenue
Janesville, WI 53546
Contact the UR Office:
E-Mail: uroffice@uwc.edu
Phone: 608-758-6530

4/24/2009

UW-Rock and Beloit Memorial High Help Turn College Dreams Into Reality

Janesville – The University of Wisconsin-Rock County has teamed up with Beloit Memorial High School (BMHS) to help minority students achieve their dreams of becoming the first in their family to go to college.

The Dream Team Program is a year-round program in which UW-Rock County students and faculty and BMHS teachers work together to support the educational success of a group of minority students attending BMHS. The program is funded by grants from the UW System, Alliant Energy, George K. Tallman Trust and the Col. Robert H. Morse Foundation.

Program students were selected because their grades demonstrate that they could be successful college students, but, since they would be the first generation of their family to attend college, they might need some extra support to meet that goal, according to BMHS teacher and program coordinator Tamuriel Grace-McKinley.

While the focus is on academics, including math, science and composition, a sports theme connects the lessons and makes learning fun.

During the school year, program participants attend weekly tutoring sessions at Beloit Memorial High School that are led by UW-Rock County students and a BMHS senior. They also are engaged in quarterly workshops taught by both UW-Rock County faculty and BMHS teachers.

“The Dream Team Program is designed to improve participants’ access to educational opportunities, keep them in school and help them to graduate,” says Stacy Randall, UW-Rock County director of continuing education and program coordinator. “Our hope for them is that they’ll be interested in a college education and more prepared for the challenges that presents.”

A two-week summer camp in August on the UW-Rock campus will further enforce concepts and allow positive interactions between the students and instructors from both the high school and the college.

“Our goal is to continue this program for a second year, if funding is available, “ says Randall. “The second year would focus on leadership and mentoring skills.”

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