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Odyssey

Jenny Pressman 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 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!

College for people currently or formerly incarcerated

UW-Madison Odyssey Beyond Bars director talks with our educational counselor Ace Hilliard about opportunities for students who are currently or were formerly incarcerated.

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.

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.

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 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.

Music theory expert Jamie Henke receives UW System’s Underkofler teaching award

Henke, a distinguished faculty associate in Continuing Studies and the Mead Witter School of Music, brings a learn-by-doing approach to classes such as Create Your Own Music.

A spectacular 90th birthday gift to the Odyssey Project

The Odyssey Project has empowered more than 400 adults to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams through free access to a two-semester humanities course.

Odyssey Project, Badger Ready help local dad resume dream of earning a bachelor’s degree

Two UW–Madison programs—the Odyssey Project and Badger Ready—have helped a local dad discover his potential and resume his journey to a bachelor’s degree.

Brava magazine names the Odyssey Project’s Colleen Johnson a ‘Woman to Watch’

As director of development and community partnerships for the University of Wisconsin–Madison Odyssey Project, Johnson leads fundraising efforts for a program that has helped more than 500 disadvantaged individuals make strides toward their educational goals.