College Readiness 21

College Readiness 21 (CR21) is WFIC's pre-college program that initiates a new, diverse pipeline of talent to our state’s colleges and economy.

Statewide, 100% of CR21 alumni, or 117 students, have graduated from high school (Class of 2006 & 2007). To date, 97 CR21 alumni, or 83%, have realized their college dreams and now attend at:

  • Wisconsin Private Colleges (29 alumni)
  • University of Wisconsin System Schools (28 alumni)
  • Wisconsin Technical Colleges (24 alumni)
  • Out-of-State Colleges (16 alumni)

Ninety-five percent, or 41 out of 43, of CR21 Class of 2006 alumni moved on to their second year of college in 2007-08.

Students & the 2007-08 Program
In 2007-08 (CR21's 6th operational year), CR21 will serve 445 minority, low-income, and first-generation students who will build their dreams of college in three distinct geographic regions; Milwaukee (227), Northeastern Wisconsin (168), and Racine and Kenosha Counties (50).

Ninety-one percent of all of our students will be the first in their families to go to college, 69% come from low-income backgrounds, and 76% identify as racial minorities. Given the opportunity, these students will flourish and become our future leaders.

To learn more about CR21, please download the CR21 Statewide Summary.

Activities

CR21 students are given the opportunity to spend over 1,000 hours on private, public, and technical college campuses throughout the state, including monthly visits to colleges during the summer and academic year.

The program offers:
• Academic, practical instruction in core areas such as reading, writing, math, and science.
• Personal, study, and life skills development.
• Admissions and financial aid advising.
• Standardized test preparation (ACT ).
• Career exploration meetings with young professionals from a variety of career options.
• The chance to shadow college students on campus.
• Parental involvement, peer relations, and mentoring
• Transition-to-College Camp for program graduates the summer before they start college.
• Scholarships to alumni who attend a private college in Wisconsin.

Staff

JohnRae’ Stowers supervises and directs the entire CR21 program statewide as well as manages the Milwaukee program. Mary Schwiner manages the CR21 Northeastern Wisconsin program. She maintains a satellite office at Marian College. Angela Peterson manages the CR21 Racine and Kenosha program. She maintains a satellite office at the Racine Family YMCA. Le'Lana Johnson, CR21’s Coordinator, assists JohnRae,’ Mary, and Angela and tracks and records student information.