A+ Program Reaches Out to Low-Income Minority Children

More than 50 low-income and minority kids from Madison received a fun, fast-paced introduction to the university last week, through a new program that mixes academics with athletics.

The A+ Program reaches out to local children, ages 12-14, who traditionally have not been a part of the university’s many summer programs, says LaMarr Billups, special assistant to the chancellor for community relations. For about half the kids, it’s their first real exposure to campus, he says.

By helping kids make good decisions today in their academic and personal life, Billups says, the program can prepare students to succeed as future undergraduates here.

“We want to add the human touch to our recruitment efforts with these kids,” says Billups. “We want to show them how to get ready to meet the requirements of the university.”

The program is a partnership between UW–Madison, private sponsors and three Madison neighborhood centers – the Broadway-Simpson, Allied Drive and South Madison centers. The Madison Community Foundation, American Family Insurance, the Evjue Foundation and Badger State Games are also sponsors.

During the week, students received a full morning of instruction and group tours of every corner of campus. Classes emphasized life skills such as understanding the self, getting along with others and choosing a career. The tours included the Geology Museum, the Babcock Dairy Barn and the Primate Center.

Afternoons were spent at the Southeast Recreational Facility (SERF) in organized swimming, volleyball and basketball camps.

The UW–Madison program is unique in that it is specifically tailored to Madison kids from low-income backgrounds. Billups says he hopes the program will help the kids see UW–Madison as their resource.