Educational Access Programs

Educational Opportunity Center

Visit EOC
Old Library 2134
Phone: (715) 836-2024
E-mail: kernansd@uwec.edu

The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), a TRIO program supported by the U. S. Department of Education, assists eligible nontraditional students in entering college. EOC offices are located in Eau Claire at UW-Eau Claire and in Rice Lake at UW-Barron County. In addition, EOC staff maintains a schedule of monthly site visits to outreach centers in each of the targeted areas in Western Wisconsin. EOC staff offer the following programs and service centers in Jackson, Trempealeau, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Chippewa, Rusk, Barron, Washburn and Sawyer counties, and Mondovi and Durand municipalities:

Academic assessment and advising.
Career development.
Selection of academic program and institution.
Assistance with application for admission.
Assistance with application for financial aid.
Assistance clearing up defaulted student loans.
Scholarship search/application assistance.
Career development, time, stress and money management workshops.
Selection of GED/HSED options.
Referral to other agencies with services to assist nontraditional students.

Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program

Visit the McNair Program
Old Library 2134
Phone: (715) 836-4912
E-mail: quinpa@uwec.edu

Named to honor the African-American astronaut who perished in the Challenger explosion, this TRIO program assists eligible low-income, first-generation students to prepare for and enter graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. Each year at UW-Eau Claire ten to twelve new undergraduate McNair Scholars embark upon two years of intensive mentoring, specialized curricular and co-curricular offerings, collaborative research and internships, all of which groom these candidates for graduate school. Participants include academically talented low-income, first-generation students and students from groups traditionally underrepresented in Ph.D. programs. McNair Scholars are chosen via faculty nomination.

Upward Bound

Visit Upward Bound
Haas Fine Arts Center 281
Phone: (715) 836-4088
E-mail: muszynja@uwec.edu

Upward Bound (UB) is a federally funded TRIO program designed to provide fifty economically disadvantaged (low-income and/or first generation) high school students with the skills and motivation necessary to complete high school and make a successful transition to the post secondary level. The program assumes a holistic approach in fostering the overall growth and development of participants. During the academic year and six-week summer program, participants receive the following program services: tutoring; instruction; academic advising; and personal, career, and college guidance. In addition, the participants are exposed to a variety of extra-curricular experiences including social, recreational and cultural activities.