NavigateU: Milwaukee

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A Year of Career & Community Exploration

Lakeland University's NavigateU: Milwaukee program offers students an opportunity to earn a full year of academic college credit while working part-time at a partnering Milwaukee-area company.

This unique exploratory first-year collegiate experience includes dedicated time and programming to navigate career offerings and explore your surrounding community.

You take 100% tuition-funded courses, close to home, for your first year. We help you find a well-paying part-time job in a Top 100 Milwaukee company, allowing you to work as part of your education. We plan group excursions both in Milwaukee and to the main campus in Sheboygan throughout the program so you can really explore the community.

Questions? Contact KJ Odom!

Enrollment Requirements

Apply Now!

Click here to submit a FREE application for admission
Submit official high school transcript to Lakeland University
Submit a valid FAFSA to Lakeland in advance of the start of the term – FAFSA.gov (School Code: 003854)

Apply Now

Who is this program designed for?

NavigateU: Milwaukee is the Right Fit if You...

Don’t know what to do after graduating high school.
Want to stay close to home in Milwaukee while determining your career next steps.
Think you should work for a year to save up first before attending college.
Want to go to college but are not sure how to pay for it or are unsure of what to study.

NavigateU: Milwaukee at Lakeland University

Why Lakeland?

Tuition-free courses (covered by grants and scholarships) for at least the first year, along with financially-viable pathways for the second, third and fourth years via the Lakeland Promise.
Free access to classroom technology, including a laptop.
A college experience that blends hands-on part-time work that earns college credit and classwork designed to help you plan for the future.
Fun, exciting activities to connect with your peers.
- You take classes and work with peers in the program, so you can connect with new friends who are going through the same experience.
- We provide coaching and placement assistance with part-time jobs.
- Your coursework is centered around real-life experiences and situations.
- We provide free transportation for group excursions both in Milwaukee and to the main campus in Sheboygan.

Requirements

How Does The Program Work?

This program provides a full-year of college coursework 100% tuition-free to students who meet the following criteria:

Completed FAFSA.
Students will have employment with a Navigate U: Milwaukee partnering company, or other approved employer, and are committed to continue with this employer for the duration of the program.
Students register for program coursework to maintain full-time status and remain in good academic standing at Lakeland University.

Milwaukee, Wis.

Explore The City

Get ready to fall in love with Milwaukee! From brunch on a Milwaukee Riverboat, to Black Cat Alley, to 3rd Street Market Hall, the Deer District, Discovery World, the Art Museum, and so much more — Lakeland University will plan group excursions such as these, providing you with free transportation, so you can see the city like never before.

Setting you up for success — for year one ... and beyond!

After year one, you will have several pathways, and Lakeland provides personal mentoring to help you develop the best plan for your future. Options include:

Earning a two-year associate's degree.
Earning a four-year bachelor’s degree.
Transferring to another college.
Beginning an apprenticeship.
Moving into the workforce full-time.

Future Leaders & Thinkers

Successful completion of NavigateU: Milwaukee will provide you with:

320 hours of part-time employment

At least 320 hours of part-time employment with the ability to work 500+ hours over 9-12 months.

28-31 college credits

28-31 college credits (you will be on track to start your sophomore year, if you choose to continue!)
- Beyond the credits earned through NavigateU: Milwaukee with your part-time job, additional general studies and elective coursework could include:
  - Interpersonal Communication
  - Composition I
  - Intro to Business Administration
  - College Success Seminar
  - Core I: Foundations of Critical Thinking
  - Justice, Community and Service
  - Quantitative Reasoning

An informed plan for your future

Development of an informed plan for your future (career, academic, and personal goals and action plans).

Additional Information

Sample Daily Agenda

You might be wondering what your days might look like Monday - Friday.

7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.	Take the bus and arrive at the LU Milwaukee Center
7:30 - 8:00 a.m.	Eat breakfast and prepare for class
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Attend daily courses
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Eat lunch and take the bus to your part-time employer
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Work
5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Return home

Program Calendar

Here are some important dates for the academic year:

Fall semester begins	Monday, August 28, 2023
Bus trip to main campus for Homecoming	Saturday, September 30, 2023
Fall semester ends	Friday, December 15, 2023
Holiday Break	Saturday, December 26, 2023 – Sunday, January 21, 2024
Spring semester begins	Monday, January 22, 2024
Spring semester ends	Friday, May 10, 2024
*Additional campus event bus trips will be finalized at a later date

KJ Odom, Lakeland University Admissions Counselor

Interested in Learning More?

Contact Us!

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact K.J. Odom, Admissions Counselor

Email: odomk@lakeland.edu
Office: 920-565-1022 ext. 2136
Cell: 920-287-0252

If you would like to schedule an in-person, or virtual visit - we would love to have you. Please contact KJ Odom to discuss your options. We look forward to meeting with you!

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Main Campus (Full-Time)

Evening/Online (Adult)

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