“The Odyssey Project has helped me rediscover parts of myself and has been a beautiful gem in tumultuous times,” writes Jonathon, one of 30 students nearing the end of the two-semester journey for the Class …
Celebrating stories at Oakhill
“I’ve never in my life felt so free as I have felt taking this class.” —Mark, Odyssey Beyond Bars student in English 100 at Oakhill, fall 2021 On a bright, cold day in December, more …
Odyssey Beyond Bars expands throughout the state
“Look around. You may not know each other yet, and this situation will test your comfortability, but you’ll all discover a community within yourselves.” — from “A letter to next year’s class,” by Danny, Odyssey …
UW CHEP director’s letter – March, 2022
UW System has received a transformative $5.6 million grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to establish degree and certificate programs in state prisons, with the goal of preparing more students for professional success …
Loving our graduates
We love supporting Odyssey graduates as they go on after our two-semester jump-start humanities course to earn certificates, two-year, four-year, and advanced degrees. The photo collage above celebrates eight Odyssey alumni who earned degrees in …
Thanks to our donors for new hope!
Although 2021 brought the Odyssey Project hardship and heartache, stretching our staff and emergency funds to the limit, it also reminded us of the generosity of our donors and community partners. So many of you …
We can’t stop now!
“Before I got accepted into the Odyssey Class of 2022,” Yasmine wrote on her final assignment for 2021, “I was like an oyster in its shell — closed off from the entire world around me. …
UW chancellor wins Friend of Odyssey Award
“Odyssey is one of our best examples of the Wisconsin Idea in action,” Becky Blank observed. We proudly announce that outgoing UW–Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank, winner of the 2022 Friend of Odyssey Award, will speak …
Odyssey alum wins ATHENA Young Professional Award
Josephine Lorya, alumna of Odyssey’s Class of 2008, received the 2021 ATHENA Young Professional Award last month from The Business Forum Madison in recognition of her work as a Dane County social worker, multicultural performer, …
Former professor, “Odyssey dad” Robert Auerbach receives philanthropy award
“At a November 11 ceremony, Robert “Bob” Auerbach – UW professor emeritus and father of UW Odyssey Project Co-Director Emily Auerbach – accepted a 2021 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater …