We challenge our students to change the world. However, they need support to do so. The School of Education is significantly increasing its scholarship and fellowship packages, and utilizing a new strategic plan for equity, diversity, and inclusion to better attract and serve students from groups that are historically under-represented at UW–Madison. These supports, in the form of scholarships and fully funded doctoral and master of fine arts programs, make us competitive with highly ranked peers across the nation. In addition, we launched a new Bridge to Success Scholarship program for students during the 2020 summer term and 2020 fall semester who were facing financial need due to the pandemic. Combined, these bold efforts are an investment in our students — and in our future.
Scholarships make a difference
“I hope to be working as a high school Spanish teacher in the Madison or Milwaukee areas. I agree that diversity in education is lacking. A few years ago, I worked as an aide in a school in which many of the Latinx students voiced their desire to have a teacher they could relate to. They encouraged me to continue my education to become a teacher.
“Last year, I ran into one of these students. Sadly, he had dropped out but he came up to me and asked me what I was doing. I told him I was still studying to become a teacher and he said how happy he was for me. I wonder if he would have graduated from high school if he would have had different teachers in his life. I plan to create a safe environment for all my students. I plan to have a classroom that allows students to feel empowered to speak their minds and build on their knowledge.” — Daisey Velazquez, ‘21 Spanish education, recipient of the Martha B. and Dean T. Brusegar Scholarship in Teacher Education
Bridge to Success scholarships supported students in need during COVID-19 crisis
In an effort to bolster support for students experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis, the UW–Madison School of Education established the Bridge to Success scholarship program. Over the 2020 summer and fall semesters, 869 Bridge to Success awards were distributed, totaling $2.38 million. This program was made possible, in part, by a generous estate gift from Glen and Janet Lillegren Gustafson and the Impact 2030 Morgridge Match. The program also received support from the UW–Madison Graduate School.
“I am deeply appreciative of this support from School of Education alumni and friends, and especially for your empathy and dedication to help students in these challenging times,” said Trang Diem, who received Bridge to Success support.
