Let’s get involved – Our future workforce depends on it

A high-quality education for all students in our region will impact their life outcomes immensely. It will help make our community a better place and ensure that we have a healthy and productive future workforce, advancing our region’s growth and ability to compete globally.

While we face many challenges, there is tremendous momentum in our schools in increasing the number of high-quality seats. With growing support from the business community, dedicated school leaders and innovative supporting organizations, the future is bright.

Our inaugural Milwaukee Education Spotlight event, held on Feb. 23 brings together members of our business community to learn about what success looks like at high performing schools and educational organizations.

We would like to thank our table captain supporters as well as our presenting partners – Northwestern Mutual and M3, which is a collaboration between MPS, MATC and UWM, focused on the retention, graduation and career success for students. Thanks also to supporting partner, Kacmarcik Center for Human Performance.

This is where the rubber meets the road. Are you willing to help, to get involved, to donate, volunteer or mentor? Increasing the number of high-quality school seats in Milwaukee, in any form, will require more from all of us. Our future workforce needs you now more than ever.

Dan & Kate Meyer Co-owners, BizTimes Media

With 100,000+ students, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reflect the region’s diverse talent pipeline. Together as M3, we are growing successful initiatives that are advancing diversity, equity and inclusion; expanding access and persistence; and closing equity gaps:

M3 efforts are driving greater access to financial aid. FAFSA completion was up 8% for the MPS Class of 2022, double the national average.

• A record number of MPS students completed the M3 College Connections dual enrollment program in 2022, earning up to 21 transferable credits at MATC and UWM. College Connections graduates have saved $1.5+ million in tuition costs.

M3’s new “Smart Start” helps MPS graduates navigate the application and onboarding process along with the first semester of college at MATC and UWM. Smart Start combats a national trend of students planning to attend college but not enrolling.

M3’s recently updated public data dashboard shows:

• More MPS graduates who attend MATC and UWM are continuing their second year of higher education.

MPS students who go on to MATC and UWM are graduating more quickly. Watch for an exciting new opportunity in the coming months for businesses to help shape and advance our efforts to transform the future of Milwaukee through education. Thank you for your continued partnership.

PRESENTING PARTNER:

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. As a mutual company, its commitment to doing good extends beyond making a positive impact on the financial wellbeing of its clients and into the community.

Northwestern Mutual has a longstanding history of investing in high-quality education in Milwaukee—having invested more than $60 million in Milwaukee-area schools to address educational disparities and increase access to high-quality seats for disadvantaged students. The company is proud to partner with nearly 30 choice, charter, and public schools in Milwaukee to sustain and grow their capacity so more students can receive the resources they need in a high-quality learning environment, and to collaborate with higher education partners to help more students graduate from college, contribute to the growing diverse workforce, and make a generational impact on the trajectory of Milwaukee and its youth. To learn more, visit northwesternmutual-foundation.com/education/

SUPPORTING PARTNER:

The Kacmarcik Center for Human Performance believes every person deserves access to develop their full potential. Our work centers learning as key to achieving the vision of a better world, and our passion to advance well-being for all activates dynamic partnerships with like-minded organizations across Wisconsin. Join in our work at www.kacmarcikcenter. com. Potential Made Possible™

Gretchen M. Jameson, Ed.D.

Chief Learning Officer & Group President Kacmarcik Center for Human Performance

Kacmarcik Enterprises

Mobile: (636) 795-6707