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The Solution

A Proven Model for Student Success

Win Wallin, the former CEO of Medtronic, along with his wife Maxine, a dedicated philanthropist, provided generous scholarships to limited-income, college-aspiring students in Minneapolis for years. After a decade of financial support, they realized it was more than just money that was critical for students to earn their college degrees.

Although scholarships are an important factor, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The Wallins realized that even after scholarships and financial aid, students still have unmet needs in areas of academic, social, and cultural support. They built a program that incorporates not only financial aid, but also, professional advisors that work directly with the students and universities to address these challenges. The success of the program can be measured by their superior graduation and career placement rates.

For over 25 years now, Wallin Education Partners in the Greater Twin Cities Area has been providing comprehensive support to ensure limited-income, high-potential students complete the last mile in their education journey by completing their college degrees.

The Wallin model is successful because it is a focused collaboration of pathway partners, universities, donor partners, and students all working toward a common goal of improving college graduation rates to develop professional talent in the community. Wallin Education Partners now celebrates more than a 90% on-time graduation rate, and 95% of their graduates either enter graduate school or the workforce within six months of graduation. Equally impressive is the fact that 39% of Wallin scholars report no student loan debt, and those who do have less than half of the state average.

All-In Milwaukee

In 2018, All-In Milwaukee launched to improve college graduation rates and increase the pipeline of diverse talent in our community. All-In Milwaukee is a college completion and career placement program that includes financial aid and extensive advising, program and career development support for limited-income, students of color from Milwaukee to excel through college and matriculate into the Milwaukee workforce. All-In Milwaukee is developing the future leaders of Milwaukee and will ensure the diverse future workforce for our city.

By building a coalition of education partners, All-In Milwaukee launched our program with 40 scholars in our first class (started college in the fall of 2019), 67 scholars in our second class (started college in the fall of 2020), 95 scholars in our third class (started college in fall of 2021), and 126 scholars in our fourth class (starting college in fall of 2022). By 2023, we will have more than 400 scholars in the program and a number being added to our first alumni class.

Through the program’s pathway partners, limited-income, high-potential students are nominated and then accepted into our program. They are assigned to a professional advisor who helps them navigate the complexities of college including financial aid, course planning, living situations, and more, including academic and career counseling as well as health and wellness support.

Our scholars meet with their advisor one on one and with their campus cohort monthly throughout our program. Every scholar receives a career mentor, career development sessions and creates a career development plan for their time through college. Finally, our university partners provide our scholars the best financial aid package possible and our program ensures that students graduate with little to no student debt.

The Completion
Crisis

The Solution

Leadership