overcoming adversity and achieving dreams through higher education
“We must give men and women in our marginalized communities more opportunities to develop their voices, and we must equip people entangled in the criminal justice system with the tools they need to transcend it.”
From London to Seattle to Austin, comments poured in from Odyssey supporters who watched our first-ever online graduation ceremony last month: “You pulled the rabbit out of the hat and created magic under the direst circumstances.” “Your beautiful and amazing Odyssey 2020 graduates addressed the camera with such confidence and poise.” “This wonderful graduation ceremony …
Mustafa Mohammed Saed (pictured above, far right) watched his sister and fellow Odyssey 2016 classmate Umaima (third from left) graduate from UW–Madison in December, wearing cap and gown and walking across the stage at a crowded ceremony. Chancellor Becky Blank singled out Umaima and her family for their courage in fleeing from war-torn Iraq. Just one semester …