overcoming adversity and achieving dreams through higher education
In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus embarks on a 10-year journey home after 10 years fighting in the Trojan War. Twenty years of overcoming obstacles brought Corey Saffold from his Odyssey Project graduation in May 2006 to his UW Law School graduation in May 2026. “This voice to speak,” Corey notes, “this voice to be bold and to …
Thank you so much to those of you that were able to join us either in person or via Zoom as we celebrated the incredible and resilient UW Odyssey Project Class of 2023 on May 3! The evening began with moving words from Dean Jeffrey Russell and Odyssey Director of Adult Education, Kevin Mullen. Then …
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Odyssey’s 20 years of life-changing impact at our Chazen anniversary event! Guests enjoyed appetizers, drinks, and music by Kinfolk (featuring Odyssey alumni) as they mingled in the Chazen lobby and explored the museum. The program consisted of opening remarks by Chancellor Mnookin, who said, “There is …
“For the rest of my life, I’ll remember how Chancellor Blank treated me with dignity, kindness, and respect,” said Odyssey alum Char Braxton, who attended the chancellor’s memorial service and spoke to the chancellor many times over the past nine years. Along with the entire campus and community, Odyssey mourns the loss of UW–Madison …
UW–Madison’s Chazen Museum of Art has been a longtime partner of the Odyssey Project, from hosting our 10th and soon, our 20th–anniversary celebration to welcoming Odyssey students to campus for 20 years to view and respond to the art it displays. We were delighted to have Chazen leaders and guest artists such as Sanford Biggers …
Many Odyssey students create handmade items such as jewelry, books, notecards, cookbooks, soap, and musical instruments. Attendees were able to start their holiday shopping early, support Odyssey artists and entrepreneurs, meet staff and students, and visit our new Odyssey space by attending our Odyssey Holiday Bazaar! We’d like to thank our event sponsor, A Fund …
Each month, people gather in Madison to watch storytellers match “wits and words” at The Moth StorySLAM competitions, and Odyssey students and alumni are often found not only in the audience but in the stage’s spotlight as well. This year, Odyssey student Marisol Gonzalez was among 10 finalists who earned a coveted spot in the …
“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 …
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. …