University of Wisconsin–Madison

Month: October 2022

From personal to professional: Odyssey’s bazaar returns this holiday season

“I didn’t realize that my products were both going to be my platform and my vessel to care for people,” Jasmine Banks told Madison Magazine this past April, describing how she created her business following her mother’s cancer diagnosis. “It didn’t dawn on me that these products were now a different way for me to …

From service to stories: Odyssey beyond wars

“The transition from military life back into the civilian world is a lot more difficult than most people realize,” said Joe Robinson, Army veteran and alum of Odyssey’s very first graduating class. “Odyssey is life changing in so many different ways. The opportunity to have a program that plants a seed for anyone from any …

Why Vote? Voices from the UW Odyssey Project

My vote will tell my children and grandchildren that I stood against corruption and racism and that I don’t ignore the past but learn from it. My vote will tell my friends that I care about their access to health care and immigration reform. It will tell my neighbors that I believe in their right …

UW Odyssey Project celebrates 20 years of taking a whole family approach to empowering students

“Here I was in my late 40s and I never thought I would have an opportunity to reach my full potential through education. But because of Odyssey, I was able to do that and go on and get my bachelor’s [degree] in social work and my master’s [degree] in social work, so I can better …

UW Odyssey Project turns 20: Grads recount how it’s changed their lives

“Being in the Odyssey Project had a tremendous impact on my life because it doesn’t end, you don’t just graduate and then boom, you’re just done. I remain connected. The Odyssey Project has been supportive of me ever since I was in the program, and that was over 10 years ago. They were the ones …

‘It’s time to exercise that right to vote’: The Odyssey Project prepares students to head to the polls

The Odyssey Project at UW Madison hosted their biennial “Why Vote” event Wednesday, reminding students who are trying to break the cycle of generational poverty their vote matters. The Odyssey Project, now celebrating their 20th anniversary, was created to give adult students facing economic barriers the opportunity to go to college. “The goal is to get …

UW Odyssey Project: 20 years of amplifying student voices

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Overcoming adversity and achieving their dreams through higher education — it’s what many students have successfully done over the past 20 years through the UW-Madison Odyssey Project. Wednesday, October 12 marks 20 years of the program, and in honor of the anniversary, Gov. Tony Evers declared it “Odyssey Project Day.” On …

Odyssey celebrates 20 years of helping non-traditional students

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – An organization celebrated 20 years of helping non-traditional students receive education, financial help and more. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway declared today as Odyssey Day. Wednesday night’s celebration focused on voting and the experiences of Odyssey members. Some students read poems or recited literature to start off the night.

20 Years of Amplifying Odyssey Voices and Celebrating Voting (October 12)

Thanks for joining us in person or via Zoom to celebrate Odyssey’s 20 years of empowering students to find their voices and change the world. The powerful evening featured Odyssey student and alumni readings, a new film, and refreshments. We’d like to thank our event sponsors Madison Gas and Electric and Summit Credit Union for making this event possible. …

An empowering trip on “Odyssey Day”

Madison’s mayor proclaimed October 12, 2022, to be “Odyssey Day” in recognition of our 20 years of changing lives. Instead of holding a regular Wednesday evening class, the Class of 2023 traveled again by bus to the UW campus, this time joining with hundreds of alumni, supporters, and community members in the Great Hall of …