On Saturday, April 20, the Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence, also known as PEOPLE, hosted their inaugural Badger Day to welcome the incoming freshman class arriving in the fall.
The event welcomed 68 of the 95 admitted students from PEOPLE and Information Technology Academy (ITA) to honor their accomplishments of becoming a PEOPLE College Scholar at UW – Madison.
The PEOPLE’s Badger Day resembles a college singing day, embracing future Badgers and fostering a strong sense of dedication, pride, and belonging while also providing them with tools and resources for a successful transition into their academic careers.
“Our incoming PEOPLE Scholars have demonstrated their commitment to academic excellence and success throughout their high school years,” said PEOPLE Director Kia Hunter. “We are honored to welcome them as future Badger leaders, and we will continue to advance college access and success for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to create a community of many perspectives here at UW–Madison.”
The UW – Madison’s PEOPLE program is housed within the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement (DDEEA). Since 1999, the PEOPLE program has been preparing low income and potential first-generation high school students in Madison and Milwaukee to succeed at the Universities of Wisconsin institutions. PEOPLE provides essential preparation for students to focus their ability on building and mastering academic knowledge, building cognitive strategies and self-management skills, and to learn about college through experiential learning.
ITA is another precollege program that serves high school students from the Lac du Flambeau, Madison, and Oneida communities and surrounding areas. The program provides opportunities for students to reach their full potential through hands-on technology coursework, college preparatory academics, and personal wellness development that supports their successful competition of high school and matriculation into higher education. The primary goal of the ITA program is to prepare students to be competitive applicants for UW – Madison.
Students who complete 
the PEOPLE or ITA program and get accepted to UW – Madison become PEOPLE Scholars, receiving tuition scholarship along with academic and development support while earning their undergraduate degree.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the PEOPLE program.