UW-Madison’s PEOPLE program attracts record number of diverse students to campus

What: Recognition banquet for PEOPLE, involving 95 incoming UW–Madison freshman and 170 high school participants

When: 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 29

Where: Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q Hammons Drive, Middleton

A University of Wisconsin–Madison program to attract diverse students will bring in its largest group of incoming freshmen ever this fall.

The PEOPLE (Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) program accounts for 92 incoming freshmen this fall. The students, along with 170 high school scholars completing the pre-college preparation program, will be honored for their accomplishments at a banquet at noon on Friday, July 29, at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton.

The program will showcase the accomplishments of high school seniors who have just completed their final summer of year-round training for college. That includes ACT testing and participating in internships with departments across the UW–Madison campus and in the community, along with five weeks of living in University Housing.

PEOPLE aims to create a more diverse student body at UW–Madison, increasing the presence of low-income, first-generation, and students of color from historically underserved communities throughout the state of Wisconsin.

“We’re proud of the accomplishments our PEOPLE scholars have attained,” said Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Patrick Sims. “Our communities and the next generation of leaders will be stronger and more informed because of what they take away from the experience. We remain committed to continuing the enrichment support services that have become the hallmark of the PEOPLE program.”

In all, more than 1,500 first-generation, low-income or underserved Wisconsin students have entered higher education through PEOPLE since the program started in 1999.