The pandemic was a disruptive force in every aspect of life and the economic recovery has been uneven with continued supply chain issues, employee resignations and inflation.
Businesses are looking for creative ways to meet the needs of their current employees and attract skilled, motivated new talent. Offering educational and training support are attractive benefits but require time and personnel that many companies simply don’t have available. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside to have received a five-year grant to fund the creation of an Educational Opportunity Center (EOC).
We understand that aligning personal goals with educational pathways can seem daunting, not to mention navigating financial aid, school applications, course registration while balancing the responsibility of family, work and life.
The EOC was created to help support adults who are looking for growth opportunities but are unsure about returning to school. We provide free information, guidance and counseling on how to pursue continuing educational opportunities.
Through workshops and one-on-one sessions, the EOC will support:
- FAFSA and application completion for any institution
- Completion of GED/HSED, two-year, and four-year degrees
- College and career readiness skills
- Academic study skill preparation
- Financial literacy skill
- Career searches
We are partnered with educational partners in the region including:
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside
- Gateway Technical College
- McHenry Community College
- Herzing University
- Carthage College
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The EOC would like to partner with area businesses and help get the word out to employees who could benefit from our services. We are eager to help overcome the lingering pandemic challenges and fill education and skill gaps in the labor force. Our mission is to bolster educational achievements, career success and overall quality of life for individual participants as well as grow the economic capacity of the region.
For more information about the EOC at UW-Parkside, or to direct a potential participant our way, email our staff at eoc@uwp.edu or visit the website www.uwp.edu/eoc.
Written by Sandy Dieck, Educational Opportunity Center Program Manager, University of Wisconsin – Parkside