New pathways for new people.
We embrace students typically overlooked by universities – for example, those who stopped out, are place-bound or are incarcerated. Across the state and around the world, these students enrich the UW–Madison community as well as their own families and communities, helping us embody the Wisconsin Idea.
Points of Pride
Students
Adult Career and Special Student Services enrolled 5,310 non-degree special students, ages 14-90, in credit courses in FY22.
Counties
UW-Madison Online enrolls learners from 31 counties across Wisconsin, 14 different states and 3 countries and 8.6% have veteran status.
In Gifts
The Odyssey Project secured more than $4.8 million in gifts, grants and sponsorship revenue in FY22 with an additional $1.36 million of commitments made for FY23-25.
Grant
The Prison Education Initiative received a $5.6 million Department of Workforce Development grant to partner with UW-Green Bay and UW–Madison campus units to offer degree and certificate programs for incarcerated learners.
Our Stories Start With Access
From the Learners
The numbers are there about how higher education stops recidivism. Not just that but it makes us better people. I am a better person because of the education that I received when I was in prison.
Dominee Meek
Odyssey Beyond Bars student
Learn more Access
We offer educational access to a growing population of nontraditional learners.
Learn more Flourish
We help learners and staff flourish, no matter where they are on their lifelong learning journey.
Learn more Succeed
We support people in the workforce and employers across the state – and beyond – with vital tools and knowledge.
