'Try again': Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley to earn bachelor's degree Sunday at UWM

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's been years since Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley had to work on a group project for a class assignment.

But the city leader found himself shoulder-to-shoulder with the people he represents when he made the decision to re-enroll in college -- decades after he first dropped out. 

On Thursday, he sat down with CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White for a one-on-one interview just days before he's set to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

“I haven’t received less than a B so far and I’m going to knock on wood because it’s the last semester," Crowley said laughingly, while sitting inside of a room at the university's student union. 

He chose to major in community engagement and education -- a degree that can be helpful for anyone with interests in policy or nonprofit work.

“I got three young girls. A 17, 7, and 5-year-old, and I wanted to be an example for them -- especially with my 17-year-old as she’s getting ready to embark on her own college degree," Crowley said. “You’d be surprised at how many individuals have been just like me, taking some time off, dropped out and came back to graduate, and I know there are many individuals who have just a few credits to go.”

According to Crowley, only 30% of people in Wisconsin have a college or higher education degree. 

That's why he hopes to set an example that it's never too late.

“Even though I did fail, I did the one thing we tell everybody to do. Get back up and try again," Crowley said. "I want them to look at my story and see that they can also do it.”

Crowley will also be the ceremony's commencement speaker.

Graduation will be held at the UWM Panther arena at 10 a.m.