MADISON, Wis.—Nov. 23, 2020—The WPS Charitable Foundation has donated $25,000 that will give selected students the opportunity to earn an insurance certificate through Madison College.
“While working on a plan to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion at WPS Health Solutions, we realized there is a golden opportunity to help those in our community to pursue an education that could lead to a career in the insurance industry. We reached out to Madison College and the Urban League of Greater Madison, and the scholarship plan quickly came together,” said Jim Baird, Executive Vice President of WPS Health Insurance.
The Urban League worked with Madison College to enroll students in the 14-credit Insurance Certificate for the Business Professional program under full scholarships. The WPS Charitable Foundation currently is funding eight students. Participants will graduate in spring 2021 and will receive ongoing support, career advising, and opportunities for employment with WPS or other local employers after graduation.
“When approached in early fall 2020 about efforts to recruit more people into the insurance field, we knew this opportunity would be mutually beneficial to the community we serve as well as to our partners at WPS to help meet their workforce needs,” said Dr. Ruben L. Anthony Jr., President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison.
"Through the generosity of the WPS Charitable Foundation, individuals who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to go to college are receiving an education to pursue business careers in the insurance industry,” said Madison College Provost Dr. Turina Bakken. “This is a pathway to very competitive wages in a stable field with a large presence in our state. The career opportunities are endless."
About Madison College
Madison College serves more than 33,000 students throughout a 12-county district in south-central Wisconsin, offering nearly 180 diverse career programs, diplomas, and certificates. Its mission is to provide open access to quality higher education that fosters lifelong learning and success in the communities it serves. Madison College is the second-largest institution in the Wisconsin Technical College System.
About the Urban League of Greater Madison
The mission of the Urban League of Greater Madison is to ensure that African Americans and other community members are educated, employed, and empowered to live well, advance professionally, and contribute to the common good in the 21st century. The Workforce Development team provides connections between high-demand industries and job seekers in the community. For more information, please visit ulgm.org.
