Vision
By 2028, 62% of ALL high school completers in our region will enroll in a post-secondary program the first fall after graduation. By 2030, persistent equity gaps in enrollment will be eliminated.
Collaborative Action Network
The Equitable Enrollment Collaborative serves Kenosha and Racine counties with a mission to boost postsecondary participation across southeast Wisconsin. Anchored by trusted community backbone organizations - Building Our Future (BOF) in Kenosha County and Higher Expectations for Racine County (HERC) - this Collaborative Action Network brings together two of the state's largest K-12 school districts and three leading postsecondary institutions in a united effort to create stronger, more equitable pathways to higher education.
The Need
|
In Kenosha County, 25- to 64-year-olds with a Bachelor’s degree or more have a higher rate of employment and labor force participation than their counterparts without one. These effects are cumulative—median lifetime earnings rise with each additional level of education, from $1.6M for those with a high school diploma, to $2M for those with an Associate’s degree, to $2.8M for those with a Bachelor’s degree.
While significant movement has been made to transform systems towards increased student retention and graduation rates, equity gaps remain between student groups. Additionally, the impact of COVID-19 on enrollment in post-secondary institutions was drastic with only 29% of high school graduates enrolling after 2019-2020, as compared to 52% in 2018-2019. Post-secondary enrollment rates have increased since then but have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Visit our data pages for additional data. |
These disparities have existed far too long in every sector of higher education, public and private. In the same way that a national effort brought the moon within reach in the 1960s, we can plant a flag for equity in southeastern Wisconsin by channeling our collective will and expertise." - John Swallow, Carthage College President |
Wisconsin currently ranks 38th out of 50 states in FAFSA completion
Before joining FAST, I didn't know how important the FAFSA was or how to even begin the process. But with support, I completed my application and feel much more confident about my future." - Allan Sanchez, a UW-Parkside senior & FAST team member |
FAFSA Summer WorkshopsCost remains one of the largest barriers to post-secondary education. In 2023 alone, high school graduates left $4 billion in Pell Grant funds unclaimed due to incomplete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms. To address this, the Financial Aid Support Team (FAST) FAFSA Initiative helped students and families in Kenosha and Racine complete the FAFSA applications. Funded by the ECMC Foundation, this initiative brought national resources directly into our communities. Our outreach efforts were extensive, including:
These proactive measures resulted in 290 additional FAFSA completions in the summer of 2024 - a 21% increase compared with 2023. |
Other Work
LUMINA TALENT HUB
In 2017, Kenosha and Racine counties were designated as a Lumina Talent Hub through the Lumina Foundation. The Talent Hub is a partnership between UW-Parkside, Gateway Technical College, Building Our Future, and Higher Expectations for Racine County, focusing on increasing retention and graduation rates for traditional-age students. In 2021, this work completed its fourth year of designation as a Lumina Foundation Talent Hub. The collaborative effort continues to focus on improving the K-16 math pipeline.
In 2017, Kenosha and Racine counties were designated as a Lumina Talent Hub through the Lumina Foundation. The Talent Hub is a partnership between UW-Parkside, Gateway Technical College, Building Our Future, and Higher Expectations for Racine County, focusing on increasing retention and graduation rates for traditional-age students. In 2021, this work completed its fourth year of designation as a Lumina Foundation Talent Hub. The collaborative effort continues to focus on improving the K-16 math pipeline.
HIGHER EDUCATION REGIONAL ALLIANCE (HERA)
Building off the Lumina Talent Hub, Building Our Future worked alongside Higher Expectations for Racine County and Milwaukee Succeeds to support the creation of the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA). HERA is a collaborative of 18 southeastern Wisconsin public and private, two- and four-year colleges and universities and a network of partner organizations who are dedicated to closing achievement gaps on each of their campuses, representing more than 150,000 students. In 2021, HERA continued to work with the 18 post-secondary institutions in the region to scale post-secondary success strategies through monthly coaching, data, and action.
Building off the Lumina Talent Hub, Building Our Future worked alongside Higher Expectations for Racine County and Milwaukee Succeeds to support the creation of the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA). HERA is a collaborative of 18 southeastern Wisconsin public and private, two- and four-year colleges and universities and a network of partner organizations who are dedicated to closing achievement gaps on each of their campuses, representing more than 150,000 students. In 2021, HERA continued to work with the 18 post-secondary institutions in the region to scale post-secondary success strategies through monthly coaching, data, and action.
WISCONSIN WORKFORCE INNOVATION GRANT
Gateway Technical College —in partnership with BOF, Higher Expectations for Racine County, the Southeast WI Workforce Development Board, and the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin—received a $5.6 million grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to expand the successful model for adult learners to earn their high school equivalency diploma. There are currently 30,000 adults in Southeast Wisconsin without a high school credential. This partnership will increase the opportunity for adults to earn their high school equivalency credential through expanded program access, increased technology support, and regional career navigators to recruit and support student success.
Gateway Technical College —in partnership with BOF, Higher Expectations for Racine County, the Southeast WI Workforce Development Board, and the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin—received a $5.6 million grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to expand the successful model for adult learners to earn their high school equivalency diploma. There are currently 30,000 adults in Southeast Wisconsin without a high school credential. This partnership will increase the opportunity for adults to earn their high school equivalency credential through expanded program access, increased technology support, and regional career navigators to recruit and support student success.
