Jasper Mayzik
Jasper Mayzik had already decided he wanted to go to the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee, but decided to take part in an overnight Camp-In at the university because he wanted to experience campus life before he started school.
Louella Aquino had almost decided to attend another university, but the welcome she got at UWM totally changed her mind about where she wanted to study.
Phylicia Rios Rivera was leaning toward UWM, but, like Mayzik and Aquino, an oncampus experience – and a scholarship offer — cemented her decision.
All three took part in a multicultural overnight experience at UWM, known as “You@UWM.” Mayzik is a sophomore in computer engineering; Aquino, a freshman in business marketing and Spanish; and Rios Rivera is a second year student who has enough credits to be a junior. She’s majoring in global studies and sociology, with a history minor. All three have since served as student hosts for other high school students on overnight visits to campus.
This spring current high school students have the opportunity to visit the campus and stay overnight in the residence halls.
The You@UWM program on April 14 is designed for students of multicultural backgrounds who’ve applied and/or been accepted to UWM. April 18 and 25, the university is hosting Camp-Ins for all potential UWM students who will graduate from high school in 2011. Camp-ins are also offered throughout the year, with dates in November, February and April.
During the Camp-In and You@UWM programs, visiting high school students are paired with current UWM students and have the opportunity to meet fellow highschool students who also are considering UWM. Students participate in a mock lecture, experience campus dining in the residence halls and Union, enjoy recreational activities at the Union Rec Center, and learn more about UWM degree programs and the next steps toward admission.
Mayzik enjoyed his overnight at the RiverView Residence Hall, and especially liked the opportunity to experience one of the university’s many cultural events – Lyrical Sanctuary, a poetry-reading performance that combines hip-hop, art and jazz. “Coming into college, you think about studies and books, but you don’t spend all your time studying. This (the overnight stay) gave me a little taste of what the college experience was like.”
“I had a chance to meet my advisor before I even knew he was going to be my advisor,” says Rios Rivera. The You@UWM experience and other programs really helped her make the transition to college, she says, and gave her a head start on meeting other students. It also gave her a taste of what university residence hall life is like. “You get to feel comfortable about living with people you don’t know.” She talked to the UWM students about college academics. “I asked them: ‘Is college that much harder than high school? Am I going to have to work so hard that I don’t have a social life?’”
For Aquino, hearing about the university from enthusiastic students who actually went there was the deciding factor. Although she’d thought seriously about another university that had a marketing program that fit with her goals, her visit to that campus didn’t inspire enthusiasm. “My student host at UWM really convinced me that this was the place for me.”
Other Opportunities to Learn About UWM
In addition to overnight events, the university is holding Preview Days on April 9 and May 7. These intensive half-day sessions offer a tour of the campus, the opportunity to hear from a panel of current students, learn more about UWM majors and financial aid, and get an overview of campus resources.
The campus also offers regularly scheduled tours and visits throughout the spring and summer. For more information, visit uwm.edu, or call 414-229-2222 to schedule a visit.
During April, the university is also holding several events for students who are Latina/o and/or speak Spanish. UWM’s Visitor Center is holding an open house from 4 to 7 p.m., April 1, featuring a tour of the Roberto Hernandez Center. UWM students will be part of a panel discussion at South Division High School on April 11 at noon, which is open to the public.