UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON DREAM PROJECT

What is the Dream Project?

The Dream Project is a student-initiated high school outreach program that operates as a University of Washington course, partnering UW students with first-generation and low-income high school students to help them achieve the dream of attending college. The program's dual-focus approach strives not only to help these high school students, but also to teach UW students about important social issues through a unique, hands-on experience. Learn more about the Dream Project

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, September 22-24, 2009

Colorado State University Diversity Conference 2009

From September 22-24, 2009, UW Dream Project student leaders participated in the Colorado State University Diversity Conference 2009 in Fort Collins, CO, and presented on the Dream Project's innovative two-track model for outreach, service learning, and college student retention. Sponsored by Colorado State University's Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, the Dream Project's workshop represents the latest in its efforts to expand the Dream Project model to other universities and colleges across the country. Visit Colorado State University's Diversity Conference website for more information.

September 16th, 2009

NCAN Conference, San Francisco 2009

On September 16th, members of the Dream Project attended the National College Access Network (NCAN) Conference in San Francisco, California. While there, they had the privilege of networking with other outreach programs from around the country and participated in a panel with other organizations that are also student-run or run by recent college graduates. The panel was moderated by Shari Ranis of the Bill and Milenda Gates Foundation and in attendance was Strive For College, the National College Advising Corps and Michigan Campus Compact. The panel shared effective practices and discussed plans for expansion as well as the importance of research and data collection as a means of perfecting their models.

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Summer Picnic

On Saturday, August 1st, 20 Dream Project mentors and 40 high school students took a break from the heat to meet at Alki Beach for a few hours to share food and play games. Social events like the picnic during the summer are essential to maintaining the mentor-mentee relationship developed in spring so that they can be called upon in the fall while writing personal statements.

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Third Annual "Live the Dream" Scholarship Event

The Dream Project hosted its third annual Live the Dream scholarship reception, recognizing 11 scholarship recipients and celebrating the achievements of the 2008-09 Dream Scholars. This year's theme, 'Sharing the Dream,' highlighted the growth of the Dream Project in the past year and expansion efforts to come. The scholarship funds for this year's 11 scholarship recipients were raised entirely by UW undergraduates in the Dream Project Class. To learn more about the Dream Project's expansion, see our program update.

Friday, May 15th, 2009

Fourth Annual Spring BBQ

On Friday, May 15th, 270 Dream Scholars from all eight participating Dream Project high schools visited the UW campus for the day to attend a lecture by a UW professor, take a tour of the campus, and get to know their fellow Dream Scholars from other high schools over food. For many students in the Dream Project, this was their first time on a college campus. The BBQ is the first big event the Dream Project holds with each junior class, and is designed to give students a better understanding of college life while strengthening their desire to attend a four-year institution.

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

First Annual UW-Bound Dream Scholar Orientation

On Saturday, April 25th, the Dream Project held its first orientation for Dream Scholars who will be freshman at the University of Washington this coming fall. Hosted by Dream Project mentors at the UW Campus, the event featured presentations about housing options and commuting, Freshman Interest Groups, registration, and student involvement, as well as a Q&A session with a panel of former Dream Scholars who now attend UW. Grant Kollet, the Director of First Year Programs, was also on hand to deliver some inspirational words about the high school to college transition. The day culminated with a tour of North and South Campus dorms, along with other important campus sites, including the Ethnic Cultural Center. The event served as a great way for Dream Scholars and mentors to build on the sense of community-in-waiting at UW, and the students left campus feeling more confident and excited for the upcoming fall.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, February 22-24, 2009

College Board Western Regional Forum

From February 22-24, 2009, undergraduate student leaders from the UW Dream Project attended the 2009 College Board Western Regional Forum in Denver, Colorado, to lead a workshop on the Dream Project's innovative two-track model that combines outreach, service learning, and advocacy to address issues of opportunity and access in college admissions. Through the support of Kay Lewis, the director of Student Financial Aid and member of the College Board Western Regional Council, and through the generous sponsorship of the Mary Gates Endowment for Students and the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life, the Dream Project was able to connect with universities and programs around the western half of the United States in an effort to share the Dream Project model with other campuses.

Visit the College Board Western Regional Forum site here for more info.

Past News about the Dream Project...