Students

Welcome!

Students are the most important part of our program. We want students of all ages to understand that higher education is important and possible for them. All Blugold Beginnings participants are students with the academic potential and willingness to commit to the program, to themselves, and to their futures.

The Blugold Beginnings program has many of ways for students to learn and have fun while preparing for higher education. Our program offers UW-Eau Claire mentors for students to spend time with and learn from.

• 
  Elementary School Students
• 
  High School Students

 

Our program provides a variety of the following helpful services and activities:

• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• Study Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Career Exploration
• College Preparation
• UW-Eau Claire tour day
• Campus visits
• Summer camps

Mentors usually spend approximately five hours a week with their student, depending on the student's and mentor's availability. Middle and high school mentors can meet at school, on the UW-Eau Claire campus or even in the student's home. Elementary students never leave school, all mentoring sessions take place at the elementary school during recess or after school.

If you are a 5th-12th grade student at one of our participating schools and are interested in any of our services, sign up today for a mentor! You can pick up an application from your school guidance counselor. Applications can also be turned into your guidance counselor.

Resources

Students should check out the KnowHow2Go.org website for more information about going to college, career exploration, and more fun information!

Learn more about fun programs through the Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs website!

Coming soon, the Eau Claire area specific Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs website!

Elementary School

Welcome!

This is the first year that 5th graders from elementary schools in the Eau Claire and surrounding areas will be included with the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Beginnings Program. Site Coordinators and Mentors will be at the schools three to five times a week to assist wherever is needed. Whether it's during class time, recess, or after school, our mentors will be there. Our mission is to educate and inspire students towards the promise of a post secondary education for themselves. And of course to have fun too!

2011-2012 Participating Schools with Mentors:

Augusta Elementary
Schedule:  Mondays, 8:30-10:30am, 1:30-3:30pm, Fridays, 1:30-3:30pm
(AM Mondays: Mentors depart 8:00am and return to campus at 11:00am)
(PM Mondays: Mentors depart 1:30pm and return to campus at 3:30pm)
(Fridays: Mentors depart at 2:00pm and return to campus at 5:00pm)

Arcadia Elementary
Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday, 3:15-5:00pm
(Mentors depart UWEC at 2:00pm and return to campus at 6:00pm)

Flynn Elementary
Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, 11:30-12:30pm

Lakeshore Elementary
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:15-12:00pm
                 
Longfellow Elementary
Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 4:00-5:00pm

Manz Elementary
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, 3:30-5:00pm

Sherman Elementary
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 12:20-1:05pm
                 Monday through Thursdays, 3:00-4:30pm

Putnam Heights Elementary
Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30-12:20 and 3:40-5:00pm

The Blugold Beginnings program for fifth graders offers the following:

- Tutoring
- Homework help
- Mentoring
- Study skills
- Social skills
- Summer camps
- 5th Grade Campus Tour Day (campus visit/field trip)

April 26 and 27, 2012, there will be a Fifth Grade Campus Tour Day at the University of Eau Claire. Students will be paired up with a mentor and given an opportunity to explore all areas of campus life. The 5th graders will be able to step into college classrooms, get a tour of the dorms, and discover much of what college life is about. The event will commence with a welcoming ceremony, followed by a campus tour, provided lunch, and a class demonstration. The event will conclude with a presentation from faculty and students about higher education and the opportunities that await them.

Learn more about the Fifth Grade Tour Day!

Sign up today for your mentor! Student Applications can be turned into teachers, guidance counselors or mailed to:

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Attn: Blugold Beginnings
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54702

5th Grade Practice Resources:

http://coolmath-games.com/

Sheppardsoftware Math Practice

Sheppardsoftware Science Practice

High School

Welcome!

Blugold Beginnings provides their students with the necessary tools to achieve academic success throughout high school and helps to build the bridge to a post-secondary education. We offer assistance in many academic subjects provided by our various skilled mentors, spanning nearly every topic at five high schools within the greater Eau Claire area:

Memorial High School
North High School
Altoona High School
Arcadia High School

When a student enters the program they are assigned a mentor who provides them with the Blugold Beginnings “Dreaming Big Binder." The “Dreaming Big Binder” is a step-by-step guide on how to attain a post secondary education. In addition to the "Dreaming Big Binder" mentors provide students with individual help with homework, test taking strategies, preparing for the ACT and finding the best post secondary school for the student.

Blugold Beginnings also concentrates its time on several social events. This is a chance for the students to gain knowledge about the university in a different atmosphere, in addition to the classroom. These events promote mentor-student affiliation and are vital to the success of the program. Events also make it possible for students to connect with other students and make the learning process much more enjoyable. These activities provide a memorable, real life experience of campus life at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Visit our events page to see more information about our High School events!

The high school level of Blugold Beginnings also gives the students an opportunity to participate in civic conscience events during the school year. These will range depending on student and mentor interests. Some events in the past have been: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Highway Clean-Up, Shelter Dinners, and Food Drives. We commend our students in the personal growth they accomplish throughout their time with us, and the life-changing choices they make towards successful futures.

Become a Blugold Beginnings student today! It’s easy, just fill out the application form, and we’ll pair you up with an eager mentor that is ready to begin another great year!

Student Applications can be turned into teachers, guidance counselors or mailed to:

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Attn: Blugold Beginnings
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54702
715-836-4304
blugoldbeginnings@uwec.edu

College ~ Learning Community

Welcome!

What is the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community?

The UW-Eau Claire Blugold Beginnings Learning Community
is a program that supports and strengthens student success by providing new students with enriching college experiences. Students connect with other students, faculty and staff through involvement in social and cultural events that help orient them to college life and the academic community.

Students continue participation through their fourth semester, allowing them to become familiar with the campus, focus on academic achievement and participate in collaborative learning activities.

Who does the Learning Community serve?

Students of color with a desire to attend college are encouraged to apply for membership in the Learning Community.

The Blugold Beginnings Learning Community is now accepting applications for Fall 2012 semester. Please complete the online survey by following this link to submit your online application to be a member of the 2012-2013 academic year learning community. Priority application deadline is March 1st, 2012, with applications being accepted until the program openings have been filled. 

Please feel free to contact Shelly Voegeli, BBLC Program Coordinator, with any questions concerning the opportunity to be a member of the Blugold Beginnings Multicultural Learning community at 715-836-4304 or via email at voegelsm@uwec.edu.

Blugold Beginnings Learning Community Application

What type of support does the Learning Community provide?

Learning Community members receive support every step of the way through the following opportunities:

• A weeklong summer jump-start orientation camp
• Enrollment in linked common courses: GEN 100 (Introduction to the University Curriculum) and PHIL 120 (Moral Problems) in the first semester
• Enrollment in a common course and intercultural immersion experience in the second semester
• Meetings with a university faculty or staff member for “college coaching” throughout the first year
• Campus events such as Artists and Forum series, films, socials and sporting activities
• Biweekly meetings with a returning multicultural student mentor
• Completion of a service-learning project
• Eight hours of paid employment per week

What do participants have to say about their experience in the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community?

On the college coach:
“The help, understanding and advice that I have received from my college coach and everyone on the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community team have been of incomparable value. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be in college today if it weren’t for all of the opportunities this program has given me, especially the close interaction between my college coach and myself.” — Etzel Lopez Ortega

On transition:
“The BBLC has been an amazing experience! I am so glad I joined this group because even though I am a very outgoing person, I was very nervous coming to college thinking it would be hard to make friends and be involved. But through the BBLC, I made so many friendships that I know will last for years.” — Lizzy Harris

On support:
“I have everything I want in college: friends, opportunities, fun and, most importantly, support. Blugold Beginnings has given me all of these, and I want to thank every person in the program for giving me a chance at a life I’ve never experienced before.” — Txuci Xiong

On making connections:
“Meeting new people was just the beginning, but becoming a family was the true meaning of the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community.” — Giney Rojas

On employment:
“Being able to start college with a job mentoring other students made my transition to college so much easier!” — Kalia Yang

On being a college coach:
“Being a college coach for the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community has been one of the highlights of my year! Getting to know my mentee has been such a joy, and helping her to be successful in her first year has been truly rewarding.” — Jodi Thesing-Ritter

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will set goals for academic and personal success and monitor their progress toward achieving those goals.

Students will effectively learn, select and apply various college learning strategies for academic success.

Students will develop and apply efficient time-management and organizational skills.

Students will connect with the broader campus community by exploring student organizations and attending cultural enrichment events.

Students will become familiar with and use available campus resources to assist in their retention and success (e.g., the offices of Advising, Career Services, Counseling Services, Financial Aid, etc.).

Students will develop the ability to make informed decisions about college majors and career paths through assessment, exploration, research, guidance, advising and mentoring.

Students will explore their learning processes through Let Me Learn®, a learning tool that helps increase student achievement and retention.

Students will gain an understanding of the importance and value of diversity to their daily lives, in the educational setting and in the future workplace.

Students will establish a social cohort through organized activities in this and other courses of the Blugold Beginnings Learning Community.

For more information contact:

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Attn: Blugold Beginnings
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54702
715-836-4304
blugoldbeginnings@uwec.edu