Odyssey Project
Odyssey Beyond Bars featured on 93.1 JAMZ
Krista Uelmen from Krista & The Morning Rush spoke with Kevin Mullen, Assistant Professor & Co-Director of the UW Odyssey Project, and Mark Español, Odyssey Beyond Bars Alumni & DJ.
Award-winning Odyssey Project development director shares ‘love of humanity’ despite harrowing family history
Read about Jenny Pressman’s award-winning work for the UW Odyssey Project as well as her life story that shapes who she is and what she does for her community.
Odyssey Project receives $1 million match from Pleasant Rowland Foundation
The gift to the Odyssey Future Fund will support the UW Odyssey Project’s long-term sustainability and student success for years to come.
UW Odyssey Project celebrates 20 years of transformation through education
The UW Odyssey Project celebrates 20 years and invites the community to the Chazen Museum of Art for a celebratory event on April 20.
Odyssey alumni reflect on the power of writing
Five Odyssey alumni share how writing has helped shape their life and the world.
Odyssey Beyond Bars: Communities benefit from prison education program
After serving 38 years in prison, Robert Taliaferro returned home in January 2022. As he walked away from Oakhill Correctional Institution in Oregon, Wisconsin, he carried with him more than 175 college credits and a resume that included editing an award-winning prison newspaper.
UW Odyssey Project launches free education initiative for veterans
In fall 2023, veterans can start a new UW Odyssey Project course tailored to them. Read about the program and learn how to apply now!
UW Odyssey Project graduates and supporters celebrate at in-person ceremony
The UW Odyssey Project offers a free, two-semester humanities course for adult students facing economic barriers to college.
Federal spending bill includes half-million-dollar boost for Odyssey Project
Great news! The Odyssey Project is receiving $500,000 from the recent federal spending bill signed by President Biden.
UW Odyssey Project receives funding from CUNA foundation’s investment in south Madison
Read about new funding for the Odyssey Project from the CUNA Mutual Group Foundation.
Former professor, “Odyssey dad” Robert Auerbach receives philanthropy award
The Odyssey Project celebrated Bob Auerbach, father of Odyssey Co-Director Emily Auerbach, receiving the 2021 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Madison Chapter for his support of Odyssey and other charities.
Odyssey Project graduates, supporters celebrate determination in a challenging year
Students, staff and community came together to recognize the 18th graduating class of UW–Madison’s award-winning program.
UW Odyssey Beyond Bars program receives grant to teach college courses in Wisconsin prisons
The pilot project will deliver introductory college courses in English to incarcerated students who are interested in post-secondary education but are not yet enrolled in a credential-granting program.
UW–Madison’s Kelly named to College of Fellows of the American Theatre
Congratulations to Professor Baron Kelly, joining the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Theatre in the honorary society’s next incoming class.
Odyssey Project students and local leaders to celebrate voting at online event
The Oct. 3 event will feature talks by local leaders, voting information and winners of the “Why Vote?” contest.
Student’s remarkable journey to starting his undergraduate degree at age 28, living his dream
In his village of Koumea in Togo, Africa, 8-year-old Hezouwe Walada watched nearly half of his community—including three of his young cousins—die of malaria in early 2000. He decided then and there he wanted to become a doctor. After 20 years, nearly 6,000 miles and a host of trials and tribulations, Walada started at the University of Wisconsin–Madison through the Odyssey Project.
Generous major donors secure $3 million for UW Odyssey Project endowment to address inequities
It takes a village to create hope for the future. In the midst of challenging times, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Odyssey Project has secured funding…
New $3 million endowment will enable UW Odyssey Project to continue to combat inequities
In the midst of a highly insecure time, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Odyssey Project secured $3 million in gifts, a base for the future of Odyssey and…
Odyssey Project online graduation full of pride, community, love
Even a pandemic cannot dampen the spirits of these graduates. In a Zoom ceremony that included more than 200 people, participants were treated to a…
Odyssey student triumphs over the odds to get his master’s degree as an older adult
Brian Benford describes his educational journey as full of “potholes, roadblocks, angst and unfulfilled dreams. Starting in the 1970s, I attended many schools only to…
UW Odyssey Project receives $50,000 from Rennebohm Foundation
The UW–Madison Odyssey Project received a generous gift of $50,000 from the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation to support Odyssey’s mission of breaking the cycle of generational…
UW Odyssey Project fundraiser sets a record at the Madison Club
The award-winning UW–Madison Odyssey Project can claim another accolade. They set a fundraising record at the Madison Club’s annual Charity Gala, raising more than $200,000 to provide educational access to adults living at the poverty level and wraparound services to empower them and their families to transform their lives.
Odyssey Project featured in new podcast
Odyssey Project students share stories of trial and triumph
Perseverance, empowerment propel Odyssey Project’s 2018-19 class toward life-changing goals
Three-quarters of Odyssey Project graduates take more college courses after completing the program’s credit-bearing humanities class.