Odyssey Project
The award-winning Odyssey Project takes a whole family approach to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through access to free education, giving adults and children a voice, and increasing confidence through reading, writing and speaking.
- Adults facing economic barriers to college
- Children of adult Odyssey students
- Individuals incarcerated in Wisconsin state prisons
- Veterans transitioning from military to civilian life (on hold for 2025)
- Odyssey students and relative ages 55+
Who we serve
- Teach a two-semester humanities course to adult students
- Tutor our adult and youth learners
- Provide wraparound support to all program participants
- Support children of Odyssey students with enrichment activities
- Collaborate with UW faculty to offer additional college courses to Odyssey graduates
- Offer college jumpstart programs to students who are incarcerated
- Teach a 5-week enrichment course celebrating the stories of learners ages 55+
What we do
Read Odyssey Project stories
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.
Join our mailing list
Sign up to receive news and updates from the Division of Continuing Studies.
