WELCOME ALL TO 2012

This is a very scary time for many of us. All three Upward Bound competitions and the McNair Scholars competition are submitting by the end of March. If you know something that others could use or need to know something use your membership to provide or find the answer. There are a lot of very bright people in our ranks. Because of the political uncertainty in DC and at home we know that the dollars will be very grudgingly given out. My suggestion is to help when you can and ask for it if you need. By hanging together we will make it through this.

WAEOPP continues to puth things together for the Spring Conference (April 16 - 18) in the beautiful Twin Ports of Duluth/Superior. We will be conferencing with Minnesota TRIO and we are expecting about 150 to 200 participants between our two programs. This is going to be a very good event with experts from across the curriculum and the region. By teaming up with MN TRIO we are trying to provide you with diverse and exciting experience. Specific information about sessions and timing will be coming to you in February. In terms of driving time to the this area we are only 2:20 hours from UW EC, 4:30 hours from Madison and 4 hours from La Crosse, piece of cake. Put it on your calendar you will be glad you did and sorry you didn't.

This year's Policy Seminar is being chaired by Donald Singleton and I encourage you to begin working on those who will be financing the trip. We need numbers to get the non believers on board and to thank those who helped give us the increase. This is an excellent event and the Washington DC machinery is exciting to watch and experience. Lastly, I am asking you to make it north for the Spring WAEOPP/MN TRIO Conference; April 16 through 18, it will be worth the ride to the shores of the inland sea.                

WAEOPP President

Reilly O'Halloran

TRiO Programs Making a Difference at Marian University

..."One of Marian University’s core values is social justice: We work to create individual and societal change which supports the value, dignity and opportunity of every person. 

“We are a community believing in our students and planting seeds in them, hoping that these seeds come to fruition someday,” said Yang.  “The work that we do is advocating for the underrepresented students. We call this social justice.” 

Throughout the week, the staff of both TRiO programs had joined forces to continue promoting the services offered to students. 

“The supportive environment that the staffs in both TRiO programs have created for the students they serve exemplifies the Marian experience,” added DiSalvo.  “I believe our students’ lives—both academically and personally—are enriched by their participation in these programs and their goals are much more likely to be realized.”"

To read the article in its entirety click HERE.

To view photos of the event click HERE.

Any other Wisconsin TRiO programs that celebrated TRiO day are encouraged to send n their story and photos so they can be posted on the website.



APRIL 16th-18th

Check out some highlights from this year's conference under the Spring Conference tab.

 Policy Seminar 2012

WAEOPP was well represented at the Council for Opportunity in Education’s (COE) 32^nd Annual Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C. on March 11-13, 2012. Twenty professionals and two college students from Wisconsin were on hand to meet with our congressional representatives and senators to educate them about TRIO and advocate for increased funding for TRIO in the fiscal year 2013 budget.

Among the things that were being advocated for were to include TRIO into any jobs bill that come to Congress, to seek a $156.6 million increase for TRIO in the fiscal year 2013 budget, restore a $10 million cut in funding in McNair that could see TRIO lose one-third of current McNair programs and to express our concern about the delays in the Department of Education regarding the Upward Bound Math and Science and McNair grant competitions. To avoid the potential problems of late notification of awards that occurred with the EOC competition, we proposed to our representatives that they write a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan expressing our concerns and to ask that they delay the Upward Bound Math and Science and McNair competitions and extend those programs for another year so the Department of Education could focus on completing the Upward Bound and Veterans Upward Bound competitions in a timely manner.

Some of our efforts in Washington have already begun to bear fruit, as Wisconsin Congresswoman Gwendolyn Moore and Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott have circulated a letter through Congress seeking support for a $156.6 million dollar increase for TRIO. As of this writing, 86 members of Congress have signed on to the Moore-Scott letter.

Many and sincere thanks to all of those who came to the Policy Seminar to fight for our students and for TRIO. Special thanks to Nathan Edwards, Dan Krhin, and Reilly O’Halloran, who served as team leaders during our day on Capitol Hill.



Submitted By, Donald Singleton

Director, UW-Milwaukee Upward Bound 

Contact us Today!

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The members of the Wisconsin Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel are committed to creating bright futures for our participants through promising practices, dedication, and pride in the work we do.

Please visit the WAEOPP Programs page for information on how to contact an individual program or our Contact US page to get in touch with the WAEOPP Board.