overcoming adversity and achieving dreams through higher education
Since 2015, more than 160 graduates of UW–Madison's Odyssey Project's core course have earned additional college credits through its sister program, Onward Odyssey. Two of its students share their experience with the program — and what they'd like to do next.
“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 …
“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 …
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 …
“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 …
“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 …
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 …
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 …
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.
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. …