Madison, Wis. (November 6, 2019) – Edgewood College is honored to formalize a partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Dane County (BGCDC). Officials with both organizations celebrated the signing of the agreement at a brief ceremony on campus today.
The agreement outlines a significant institutional commitment, including more than $15,000 for enriched learning opportunities for TOPS Scholars to ensure students engage in high-impact practices that lead to student success. Additional supports include dedicated advising, data sharing, and designated office space for BGCDC staff to be accessible on campus. Currently there are more than 45 students at Edgewood College who began their college careers through the AVID/TOPS program.
“At Edgewood College, we remain committed to student learning, inclusion, and community impact,” Mary Ellen Gevelinger, O.P., Interim President of Edgewood College, said. “This partnership is a shining example of the work we share to build a more just and compassionate world.”
“We know the transformative impact that college access and success can have on the lives of students and our communities,” Dean Pribbenow, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean, said. “For Edgewood College and the Boys and Girls Club, this is a shared commitment, and we are delighted that we can formalize an already strong partnership.”
The partnership, officially launched with the start of the Fall 2019 semester, is modeled on an existing agreement between BGCDC and Madison College. Edgewood College is the first four-year institution with such an agreement, Glenna Scholle-Malone, Assistant Vice President of College Persistence & Special Projects, said.
“As one of our top feeder institutions, we are excited to move forward in partnership between the TOPS College Success Program of BGCDC and Edgewood College. We know that meaningful relationships are instrumental to student persistence and success, which is why having our College Coach, Trevor Wirth, accessible to support students on campus is a game changer,” Scholle-Malone said. “We look forward to increasing the number of students that not just choose to enroll in Edgewood College, but who persist and graduate.”
“We are proud to partner with such a collaborative institution in support of our students’ success,” Michael Johnson, President & CEO of BGCDC, said. “We can’t wait to see the incredible outcomes that will result from this partnership and as a result of our team’s outstanding dedication to young people.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
Boys & Girls Clubs is a local not-for-profit youth development organization serving over 7,500 youths in ten locations, including eight school-based sites and two traditional Club sites. The Clubs fuel kids with the inspiration to dream and teach them the skills to achieve when they’re most impressionable through quality programs in five core areas: Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; Health & Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. See the impact the Club makes in the life of each Club member here: www.bgcdc.org
About Edgewood College
Located in Madison, Wis., Edgewood College is a liberal arts Catholic college in the Dominican tradition. We serve approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The College offers more than 40 academic and professional programs, including master’s degrees in business, education, and nursing, and doctoral degrees in educational leadership and nursing practice. For more information about Edgewood College, please visit www.edgewood.edu, or call Ed Taylor in Marketing & Strategic Communications at 608-663-2333.
