The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is teaming up with Racine community centers to help interest youth in pursuing higher education.

"The ultimate goal is to prepare students to go to college, or at least consider college at an early age," said Mary Day, director of precollege programs at UW-Parkside.

One of the new programs planned for this summer is Math and Science Scholars, which introduces students to careers in math and science. They will also offer Headlines, which provides an opportunity for students to explore careers in the media.

The university already has offered a cultural awareness program at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 1134 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. But the university wants to begin offering more programs in the city.

The university is now working with the centers to evaluate their individual needs and establish where the classes should be held.

The collaboration is especially important because the Belle Urban System stopped running buses to UW-Parkside, Day said.

"The population we work with doesn't have transportation," Day said.

In the future she wants to bring the popular programs Doctors of our Communities and Junior Doctors of our Communities to Racine's community centers. These programs introduce youth and teens to careers in the medical field.

For more information, contact Mary Day at (262) 595-2416 or (262) 595-2176.