UW-Green Bay partners with Howard-Suamico School District on guaranteed admissions program for 2024 graduates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 19, 2024

Green Bay, WI — UW-Green Bay today announced a new partnership with Howard-Suamico School District (HSSD) on a guaranteed college admissions initiative. Through the program, all high school seniors graduating from HSSD’s Bay Port High School in 2024 will be guaranteed admission into UW-Green Bay once they apply. Students will work with a UW-Green Bay admissions counselor to determine a path to support each student’s goals for education beyond high school. 

“We are excited to begin this partnership with the Howard-Suamico School District,” said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander. “This program welcomes students who might not have thought of themselves as continuing their education after high school, and says to them ‘UW-Green Bay believes in you and your future.’ This is one more way that we are working to think differently about how education in our region can be of value to as many people as possible so that no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you want to be, you have the opportunity to learn and continue to rise throughout life.”

Through the partnership, Bay Port students and their families will have dedicated support from a UW-Green Bay admissions counselor. Together, they will work to complete the application, discuss affordability and cost, complete the FAFSA support and explore career options. Each student will be provided with resources to ensure a successful transition to college after high school, whether it be a degree program, certificate, non-credit option, or advice to begin at a technical college.

This program highlights the University’s access mission. This opportunity empowers students and benefits the region according to Alexander. “We need to support anyone who wants to learn at any point in their lives, and we need to help produce the kind of learners and workforce talent that will sustain and grow our region. That requires welcoming more learners in, not shutting them out because of the real and perceived barriers of the application and enrollment process.”

While guaranteed admission will help students of all backgrounds, the initiative is primarily aimed at students who:

• Want or need to stay local for their education.
• Cannot afford the cost of living in a dorm.
• Want to work while they go to school.
• Have a desire to continue to learn after high school.

“We value our partnership with UW-Green Bay, especially through this guaranteed admission program,” said Mark Smith, HSSD deputy superintendent. “It provides opportunities for our students who may not know that the possibility exists for them to have a four-year education.”

“UW-Green Bay understands that every student has a unique path and is determined to break down the barriers to further learning,” said Rachele Bakic, UW-Green Bay executive director of Admissions.  “This partnership will provide HSSD school counselors and teachers with resources such as inside the classroom engagement, support navigating enrollment next steps and guidance on how to finance a college education, to ensure each high school student is prepared to continue learning after high school. By actively working with students through the enrollment process, we are able to provide solutions that best meet students’ needs for further learning. We pride ourselves in our ability to meet each student’s unique needs and believe that our ability to support all students in their academic journey is what makes for a better learning environment and better outcomes after graduation.”

Additional information on the 2024 guaranteed admissions program can be found by contacting Rachele Bakic directly at (920) 465-2111, or by email at bakicr@uwgb.edu