Where in the world is... "Admissions Nicole?"

Knowledge for College #16: It's Never Too Late To Go To College!

Many times I encounter students who are 25 years and older, who are looking for a career change and/or have life circumstances where they have some college credits but never finished a degree.  These individuals often have a strong desire to finish college, but the various demands of life has caused them to put it on the back-burner.  

If this story is a familiar to you, here's your chance to take that first step and make that dream a reality!

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Interdisciplinary Studies major offers a broad-ranging degree that can be targeted to meet students' specific goals. Interdisciplinary Studies is designed to fit an individual student's interests and needs.  The degree offers students a breadth of coverage in several behavioral and social sciences while also offering specific concentrations.

More information on this diverse course of study is available during a special evening program March 3, 2009, at our campus located at 900 Wood Rd. in Kenosha.   It's a comfortable informal and informative discussion with Fran Dr. Kavenik and Pam Handrow who not only teach but serve as academic advisors for the program! I will also be there to chat about Admissions.  Refreshments will be served.

Sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Studies Office and the Office of Admissions, this session is Tuesday, March 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Walnut Room of the newly expanded UW-Parkside Student Center. The session is free and open to everyone.

See you at Interdisciplinary Studies Night!

~ Nicole

ACT April Test Registration Deadline Approaching Feb. 27th!

The April ACT test has traditionally been the traditional test date that Juniors in high school tend to take.  For students considering UW-P, we recommend Juniors to take the April test because if they are not happy with their score they can still have time to take the test a second (or third) time before they apply fall of Senior year.  UW-Parkside uses the highest of your composite scores for admissions and scholarships and we do not penalize students for submitting multiple ACT scores, therefore it is in your best interest to take the test a second time if you are not happy with your first score.

The deadline to register for the April 4, 2009 ACT test is February 27th at a cost of $31.00  If you miss the deadline and register between February 28th and March 13th (final deadline) you will pay an additional $20 late fee. 

To register for the ACT, visit www.actstudent.org

PS: Any plans this weekend? Come out to Kenosha Expo Saturday and Sunday from 10a.m. - 4p.m. at UW-Parkside's Sports & Activity Center, Petretti Fieldhouse!  $2 Admission gets you in to see the newest offerings from area businesses and services!  Meet VIP's like Leroy Butler (Sun. 1-3p.m.) and Ranger Bear (Sat. 12-2p.m.)!  Come by and say "hi!"  Look for RDB and the UW-P gang at the UW-Parkside booth of course!  To learn more visit Kenosha Expo's Website!

See you at Kenosha Expo!

~ Nicole

UW-Parkside: The Video Guide!

We hope you plan to visit us in-person soon, but in the meantime, check out these great videos about our campus!

UW-Parkside Video Guides

Check out some familiar faces... including Joel and Jessica from our very own Office of Admissions!  Great job guys!

See ya on the road,

~ Nicole

Visit Us!

The weather's warming up so it's a great excuse to get out of the house and come out to visit our beautiful campus!   So, get out your calendars and plan to visit us soon!  Here are some of the various opportunities we have coming up:

SPRING INFORMATION NIGHTS (A Weeknight Open House/Informational)*
Tuesday, February 17th & Thursday April 23rd
A great option for those who have busy weekends!  Join us after school/work for an admissions presentation covering highlights of Parkside, as well as admission requirements and steps on how to apply.  Information regarding financial aid, student and residence life will be covered.  Optional activities: On-site Admissions and campus tour. Program begins at 7:00 PM  Call 262.595.2355 to register and more details.

SATURDAY VISITS*
Saturdays: February 14th, March 28th, April 11th & May 2nd
Is your weekday schedule to busy or are you coming in from out-of-town?  Saturday visits are a great opportunity for a tour and/or an appointment with an Admissions Counselor!   The Admissions Office is open open from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM with a Campus Tour at 11:00 AM. Call 262.595.2355 to schedule a space on the tour and/or an admission counseling appointment.

*On-Site admissions is available at all of the programs listed. Student must bring $44 application fee, official transcripts from high school and college, and ACT scores (required for all student under the age of 21). 

WEEKDAY VISITS & TOURS
Come see us at our best, when our buildings are filled with our students during the traditional school-day!
Admissions Office Hours: 
Monday and Thursday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:00 AM -4:30 PM 

Call 262.595.2355 to schedule a tour and/or appointment.

	MON	TUES	WEDS	THU	FRI
8:30 AM		TOUR	TOUR		TOUR
9:00 AM
9:30 AM	TOUR
10:00 AM				TOUR
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM	TOUR		TOUR		TOUR
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
1:00 PM
1:30 PM
2:00 PM		TOUR		TOUR
2:30 PM
3:00 PM	TOUR		TOUR		TOUR
3:30 PM
4:00 PM				TOUR

Remembering an Unforgettable Spirit

"The true measure of a man is not the number of servants he has, but the number of men he serves."
- Arnold Glasgow

Al De Simone was a man immeasurable, as his legacy of service was immense. 

This was a sad week for UW-Parkside as we received news on the loss of a great friend; one of the individuals who helped to establish the University and so much more.

When I thought about all of the lives touched by this place and one of the leaders who helped establish it, I was awed by the grand scale of positive change that one person can make.

Many of our students are first in their families to graduate with a baccalaureate degree, while many other alumni including myself, met their spouses through UW-Parkside.  UW-Parkside also has countless professionals who have a passion for the careers they have established here.  Al had a leading hand in creating this - a special place that has changed the lives of so many.

I had the fortune of first meeting Mr. De Simone when I was a student, just over 10 years ago.  It was the 30th anniversary of the University and various student groups had displays as a part of the celebration.  My friends and I noticed a lovable and energetic grandfather-figure who was circulating among the booths - very much relishing every display, every interaction he had with students.  He was in his element taking in every moment of the event.  With a spring in his step and a firm handshake, he approached and introduced himself.  He asked what I was majoring in and where I was from.  When I said I was from Illinois, he asked if I was attending UW-Parkside on what formerly was called the Illinois Resident Scholar Program (now Nonresident Scholar/Aid Programs).  I replied, "Yes, I wouldn't have been able to attend Parkside without it!"   His face lit up and he told me the story about how the program was established and his involvement in its creation. He then continued sharing great stories about UW-Parkside's early days with several other students circling around us to hear.  It was an honor meeting him and an unforgettable encounter that I'll always treasure.  Years after that introduction, every time I would see Mr. De Simone in the community or on campus, I always thanked him.  If it wasn't for that scholar program, I wouldn't have been able to attend, and would not have my life-long friends, nor my husband, family and career I so love.

There are countless more alumni, as well as current and future students whose Al's legacy will continue to touch.  For now, it's our moment to remember his enormous spirit and say "Thank You."

Al De Simone 1918-2009

ACT Workshop @ UW-Parkside: In-Classroom!

I had posted an earlier entry regarding free ACT prep via www.knowhow2gowisconsin.org.
Free is great and every high school junior and/or senior who plans to take an ACT in the next few months should do this! 

HOWEVER...

The more you can do to prep for ACT the better.  In-classroom ACT prep can supplement the free prep you are already doing on-line!  UW-Parkside's Precollege Programs will be offering Spring ACT Prep at a affordable cost.  See below for further details:

Download 2009 UWP Spring ACT Prep (MSword.doc)

Download 2009 UWP Spring ACT Prep (pdf)

See ya on the road,

~ Nicole

Will You Be a KUSD Junior or Senior Next Year?

Will you be a Junior or Senior in a Kenosha Unified High School next year?  
Are you considering to participate in Youth Options? 

If you've answered yes to the above two questions, then mark your calendars for this NOT-TO-MISS event:

KUSD Evening with the Counselors Series Presents:

The Kenosha Unified School District #1
Youth Options Program

For Qualified Current Juniors & Seniors
When?  Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 5:00-6:20 p.m., and an
encore presentation 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Where?  Kenosha Unified School District #1  3600 52nd Street, Board Room

Counselors from KUSD high schools and representatives from Gateway Technical College, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and Carthage College will share course information to eligible KUSD students and also work with parents and students so that they understand the policies, procedures and paperwork required for taking Youth Options courses.  For more information, see your counselor at your high school.

See you at YOP night!

~ Nicole