UWM’s new community-based satellite recruiting and outreach office at the United Community Center (UCC), 1028 South 9th Street, is becoming increasingly active this summer.

The satellite office, one of two opened by UWM this spring, works closely with the UCC, and its charter school Bruce Guadeloupe Community School (BGCS) to provide information on educational opportunities and resources for students and adults interested in attending UWM. The partnership with UCC focuses on helping potential students take important first steps toward college.

Yohlunda Hill, a student services coordinator in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Department of Recruitment and Outreach, works closely with the center at the UCC as well as with the other center at the Private Industry Council (PIC), 2238 North 27th Street.

In addition to admissions and recruiting advising staff, the UCC Satellite Office also houses a research liaison. In this pilot project, Patricia Torres, the UWM liaison, works on-site with UWM staff in pursuing research and learning partnerships with various UCC staff and programs to ultimately improve the quality and range of services offered to the community.

Torres has a strong history of aligning university and community resources to benefit residents. There are many opportunities between UWM and UCC, she says, but particular focus will be in the following areas: Early Childhood Education, the Latino Geriatric Center and Adult Education programming.

"I enjoy interacting with people and finding a common ground and there is a lot of potential for enhancing university-community partnerships," says Torres.

UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago wants UWM to bring its outreach and recruiting programs into the community to build relationships and improve the connection with all populations of the community.

"Research and access are important elements of our partnership with UCC and the wider community," says UWM Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago. "Having a research liaison at the center as well as an admissions presence will help make sure existing and future research relationships as well as student recruitment activities work smoothly for the mutual benefit of both organizations and the larger Latino community of Milwaukee."

"We are pleased to be able to work with UWM to provide quality services to our community," said Ricardo Diaz, UCC executive director.

"UCC is very focused on providing services to help our youth pursue college education, and with UWM staff working here at the center, we are able to work one-on-one with students to overcome obstacles and challenges to attending college.

"Our goal is to help even more students attend and graduate from college, and I know this partnership will help us do that," said Diaz. Services available at the UWM-UCC Satellite Office include:

o General and specific information about UWM and its programs. This includes information on such areas as financial aid, admission requirements, the application process, housing options, and precollege program opportunities.

o Additional support for students who’ve already been admitted to UWM and are in the process of enrolling, and finalizing their plans to begin classes and seek a degree at UWM.

o Assistance to students and families in understanding the value of higher education including information directed at high school and middle school students about the role college plays in career preparation.