Governor Doyle commends UW Colleges and UW-Extension for increasing UW degree opportunities for adults statewide

Governor Jim Doyle today praised the University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension for the pivotal role they are playing in preparing Wisconsin residents of all ages to participate in and benefit from the global economy. UW-Fond du Lac is a campus of the UW Colleges.

The governor joined UW System President Kevin Reilly and UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor David Wilson at UW-Fox Valley in Menasha to recognize UW Colleges’ and UW-Extension’s efforts to increase the number of college graduates in the state and to announce the next steps in the Adult Student Initiative (ASI).

The goal of ASI, which will receive $2.5 million in state funding on July 1, is to build on the current work of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension to further connect adult learners to UW associate and baccalaureate degrees.

At UW-Fond du Lac, there are numerous opportunities for adults to start, continue or complete a degree including:
- evening classes
- accelerated courses that can be completed in less than 16 weeks, enabling busy adults to complete coursework and degrees more quickly
- bachelor’s degree completion programs in Organizational Administration, Information Resources, Communications, General Studies and more

“This Adult Student Initiative has the potential to reach students that otherwise do not have access to a UW education, expanding employment opportunities in our region,” said UW-Fond du Lac Dean Daniel Blankenship. “It is an initiative we are proud to be a part of as we have the opportunity to change people’s lives for the better and help launch, what is for them, the experience of a lifetime.”

The new funds for the ASI will enable UW Colleges and UW-Extension to make even more bachelor’s degrees available online, support giving credit for prior learning activities, create more accelerated courses online, and provide even more services to help students succeed.
“We thank the governor and the legislature for their trust in UW Colleges and UW-Extension as we strive to provide maximum access to educational opportunities,” Chancellor Wilson said. “Looking towards the future, we intend to reach into every nook and cranny of the state to ensure all Wisconsin residents have the chance to go to college and get a degree no matter what their life circumstances are.”

UW Colleges and UW-Extension have a history of providing access and support to students of all ages and from all backgrounds. Through the UW-Fond du Lac campus, the foundation of the bachelor’s degree is provided through the associate degree in arts and science. The associate degree is also offered online.

UW-Extension is increasing access to degrees by providing incentives and instructional technology assistance for the UW four-year campuses to put upper-division courses online. This enables adults to continue or complete work on their bachelor’s degrees where they live and work. Bachelor’s degrees that UW-Extension is helping to develop online now include:
Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Administration (UW-Oshkosh degree)
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice (UW-Platteville degree)
Bachelor's in Information Systems and Project Management (UW-Parkside degree)
Bachelor's in Human Services (UW-Oshkosh degree)
Bachelor's in Fire Science & Emergency Response Management (UW-Oshkosh degree)
Bachelor's in Community Education with an emphasis in Childcare (UW-Milwaukee degree)

UW Extension has also developed a one-stop website called UWin where anyone can contact an advisor to find out the most convenient way to start, continue or complete a degree visit the UWin Web site at https://uwin.wisconsin.edu or call toll-free, (866) 505-UWIN.

At UW-Fond du Lac, Jackie Morgan is the advisor dedicated to working with potential and current adult students to find the most efficient and effective ways to attain their University of Wisconsin degree credentials. To learn more about opportunities for starting, continuing, or completing an associate or bachelor’s degree at UW-Fond du Lac contact Morgan at (920) 929-3606.

Through the Wisconsin Covenant, new opportunities are available for more young people to get a college education. With the groundbreaking work of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension, more opportunities are being created for people of all ages, no matter where they live and work, to get the University of Wisconsin education that can improve lives, communities and Wisconsin’s competitive advantage in the global economy.

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