Kaliel Godinez is good to go for college.
Thanks to a dual enrollment program called College Connections, the Milwaukee School of Languages High School graduate already has a slew of college credits and some essential interpersonal skills.
“This has been a great program for learning how to talk to new people, how to network and just getting great connections with students and teachers,” Godinez said. “It's just been a great program overall and I just love it.”
Godinez was one of nearly 100 Milwaukee Public Schools seniors who completed the College Connections program and were recognized Wednesday, June 10 at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
College Connections is part of M-Cubed, a partnership between MPS, MATC and the University of Wisconsin–-Milwaukee that allows high school students to earn college credits for free.
In the 2025-26 school year, College Connections students earned 2,112 college credits and collectively saved $633,600. Since the program began in 2019, more than 900 students have participated, saving more than $3.7 million in college tuition costs.
Through M3 College Connections, eligible students can earn up to 21 free college credits from MATC and UWM on campus while completing their high school graduation requirements — at no expense to the student.
Programs and events are designed to assist MPS students in successfully transitioning to college, offering guidance on academic success, campus involvement, and financial resources.
This year the graduating high school seniors came from 15 MPS high schools. The students took college-level courses at MATC in social studies, educational psychology, English and mathematics and ethnic studies at UWM, Some students also took nursing and science courses at MATC.
“I love everyone that I've met, and they've all had a huge impact on me,” said Emerald Joiner, a Bay View High School graduate. “Everyone was nice, everyone was super helpful.”
About M-Cubed: M-Cubed seeks to transform the future of Milwaukee through education. Through collaboration, coordination and partnership, MPS, MATC and UWM will increase the retention, graduation and career success of our students and provide a prepared workforce and citizenry for the Wisconsin economy. M³ will also provide the education and resources to help drive an entrepreneurial mindset for all students to increase choices and opportunities for growth.
About MATC: Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 45 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.