Aspire Program

The Aspire Program is a community that supports and guides you through your first year at UWRF. Designed for incoming first-year students and new transfer students, Aspire pairs you with an experienced student who will support you throughout your first year and ensure that you’re well connected to the community and resources to make your college experience a success! 
 

A male student talks to another student behind a table at orientation


Why Aspire?

Start your UWRF social network and build a community of support while learning skills and strategies to maximize your success here at UWRF. Throughout the year, participants will:

  • Engage in a mentoring program with a upper-class student and other first-year and new transfer students
  • Attend events and programs that will support you in your college and academic career
  • Participants will gain valuable insight into campus life from the perspective of our current students, faculty and staff
  • Additionally, participants who complete the program may be awarded up to $500 after their first year at UW-River Falls that can go towards undergraduate research, studying aboard or an internship of their choice.


Join the Aspire Program

To be eligible to participate in the program, applicants must be first-year or transfer students AND meet one of the three requirements:

  1. Identify as a student of color.
  2. Identify as low-income (defined as those who are eligible to receive Pell Grants).
  3. Be a first-generation student (defined as neither parents have completed a four-year degree).

The Aspire Program is designed to help first-year students transition to and find support and success in the UWRF community.

To be eligible to participate in the program, applicants must be first-year students AND meet one of the three requirements:

  1. Identify as an individual from an under representative background
  2. Identify as low-income (defined as those who are eligible to receive Pell Grants)
  3. Be a first-generation student (defined as neither parents completed a four-year degree)

 
Frequently Asked Questions

To join Aspire you must be a first-year student or a transfer student AND meet at least one of the three requirements listed below: 

  1. Identify as an individual as student of color.
  2. Be from a limited-income household (defined as those who are eligible to receive Pell Grants).
  3. Be a first-generation student (defined as neither parents completed a four-year degree).

Check back for application dates for the upcoming year. 

*Please note Aspire can take up to 30 students per year. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon meeting eligibility criteria and space availability.

New students who are accepted into the Aspire Program are paired with an upperclassman who has been attending UW-River Falls for more than one academic year. We try our best to pair new students who are otherwise known as "Mentees" with their mentor based on information shared on their application. 


Inclusivity

269 Rodli Hall
410 S. 3rd. St.
River Falls, WI 54022

inclusion@uwrf.edu

715-425-3300

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.