UW-Green Bay’s Rising Phoenix Program Expands with Statewide Cohort

Green BAY, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program is growing through continued partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s GEAR UP program. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal grant program focused on low-income and first-generation students obtaining a high school diploma and preparing them for success in post-secondary education. Students meeting GEAR UP eligibility criteria who attend a GEAR UP Rising Phoenix participating school are eligible to apply.

GEAR UP Rising Phoenix is the fourth Rising Phoenix partnership and is modeled after an inaugural program developed with the Manitowoc Public School District that launched in Fall 2020. 

Now, current sophomores in five GEAR UP target districts (Ashland, Shawano, Wausau, Green Bay, and Milwaukee) will also have the opportunity to apply for the Rising Phoenix Program for enrollment during their junior and senior years of high school. When admitted to the program, students will be concurrently enrolled at their high school and UW-Green Bay.

All costs for the program will be covered by Wisconsin GEAR UP grant funding. There is no cost to students or school districts.

Rising Phoenix courses are selected to meet Wisconsin high school graduation requirements and the UW-Green Bay Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree. Courses will be offered in multiple modalities including online and in-person, providing students flexible options to take courses and participate in extra-curricular activities at the high school and on the university campus, depending on their proximity to a UW-Green Bay campus.

Students are able to continue taking other dual credit options available in their high school, which allow students to experience college coursework in the familiar environment of their high school, learning alongside other college students at a college campus. 

Rising Phoenix will be hosting virtual sessions for students and families to learn more about the no-cost GEAR UP opportunity available to students in Ashland, Shawano, Wausau, Green Ba,y and Milwaukee target high schools. There will also be time to ask questions and learn more about the many options available to students.

Monday, May 24th, 6pm
Thursday, May 27th, 6pm

The Zoom link is available at http://www.uwgb.edu/gear-up/rising-phoenix/

The goal for participating students is to earn both their high school diploma and get a significant head start on their college degree. Students enrolling in the program will have the opportunity to earn an AAS degree by the time they graduate from high school. Students who complete an AAS degree will have the first two years of a bachelor’s degree completed. The accomplishment will apply whether students decide to continue at UW-Green Bay, transfer to a different college or university or enter the workforce upon graduation with an earned college credential.

“The GEAR UP Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program embodies UW-Green Bay’s commitment to equity and access to higher education,” said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander. “As an access institution, UW-Green Bay is working diligently to provide pathways to higher education and ensuring students have access to resources across our four campuses. UW-Green Bay’s partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s GEAR UP program allows us to meet our mission to serve our community and state.”

To learn more about the program, visit the Rising Phoenix website at http://www.uwgb.edu/gear-up/rising-phoenix/.