For some, going to college can seem like an unreachable goal. But that mindset is something UW-Eau Claire is trying to change.

A new program called Blugold Beginnings is UW-Eau Claire's effort to target kids at a young age and tell them college is possible for everyone -- regardless of how much your parents make. The program is part of a larger statewide initiative to get more Wisconsin residents to hold college degrees.

Sarah Gonzalez is a first generation college student at UW-Eau Claire. She says, “I came from a family where we don't have a lot of money.”

So her formula? Work hard -- and apply for as many scholarships as possible. She says, “I received scholarships, and that's how I’m here, I don’t have any help from my parents so it’s all on my own and I’ve been working since I was 15, saving money to try to pave the way for myself.”

Associate Dean of students Jodi Thesing-Ritter at UW-Eau Claire says Gonzalez's story is the type of message the University is trying to teach to fifth graders. She says she hopes Wednesday’s event will, “Help them to know that college is an option for them, and have them meet with college role models who can help them be inspired to go to college one day.”

Thesing-Ritter knows how many of these young kids feel, because years ago, she was in their place. She remembers, “I certainly, as a child didn't think college would be possible for me, it was tough to have food on the table for my parents, so we want them to know, there are resources available to them.”

Gonzalez says part of Wednesday’s goal was just to get kids excited about the prospect of college. And excited they were.

While right now 10-year-old Chimeng Moua wants to be a break dancer, he also thinks going to college is important, “I think it’s important to go because you'll have a better life.”

And to have a better life -- is what the University hopes for all of Eau Claire's younger generations.

Wednesday’s event included tours of UW-Eau Claire's campus, a sit-down session with a science professor and hearing from other first generation college students about the struggles and good times of college.