UW-Green Bay: Members of the very first cohort of Rising Phoenix graduates receive their bachelor’s degree on Saturday, May 11, 2024

Green Bay, WI – A ground-breaking collaboration between local high schools and the University, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Rising Phoenix program has much to celebrate, including the first Rising Phoenix program graduates who have since earned their Bachelor’s degree at UW-Green Bay. 

Both Blai Yang and Nadia Neziri are breaking down barriers to further their education. After earning their associate degree before their high school diploma through the Rising Phoenix program, both enrolled as juniors at UW-Green Bay. Fast forward to spring of 2024, and Yang was selected by faculty as a featured student speaker; Neziri is now the youngest Latinx (at only 19 years old) to graduate with her Bachelor’s degree from UW-Green Bay. 

The Rising Phoenix program is a partnership between school districts and UW-Green Bay, providing students with a future-proofing blend of dual enrollment, ongoing student success coaching and an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associate of Arts and Sciences degree while still in high school.

The class of 2024 Rising Phoenix grads is the largest to date: With 144 students completing the Rising Phoenix program, these students were dual-enrolled in high school and UW-Green Bay during their junior and senior years.