Grandparents University Counselors | Summer 2023

Be apart of a great tradition at UW - Madison! The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is looking for 25 Grandparents University® (GPU) Counselors beginning June 14th!

Grandparents University® (GPU) Counselors are ambassadors of WFAA and UW-Madison. They lead participants to campus locations and are available to offer general assistance to participants and GPU instructors. Counselors are with participants during the entire program and capture many of the program’s great moments on camera.

Grandparents University® (GPU) is an award-winning program that was started on the UW-Madison campus in the summer of 2001. At GPU, grandparents and their grandchildren come to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to take part in the Badger experience complete with staying in a campus residence hall, walking around campus, going to class and participating in engaging and hands-on activities, and earning a GPU varsity letter.  Check out this video to learn more:  https://youtu.be/T2ipbN4boVk  

The hourly wage is $15-$16 per hour, depending on skills/experience PLUS each counselor will receive a program T-shirt, water bottle and cinch sack!

2023 GPU Training & Program Dates

Training Dates:

Initial Training: Wednesday, June 14th 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

GPU Instructor and Counselor Meeting: June 21st – 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Final Training: Wednesday, June 28th 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Program Dates:

Session I: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, July 12-14

Program Prep- Wednesday, July 12th Hours 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. includes lunch

Thursday Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

Friday Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. includes breakfast and lunch

Session II: Thursday and Friday, July 20-21

Thursday Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

Friday Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. includes breakfast and lunch

Session III: Thursday and Friday, July 27-28

Thursday Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

Friday Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. includes breakfast and lunch

From June- July 2023, each counselor will have a total of ~70 hours.

*There may be an opportunity for additional hours, the hours above are mandatory.

Event duties

• Participate in all meetings and training.
• Assist with move-in and set up.
• Assist with program check-in at the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
• Lead or accompany groups of participants to campus locations.
• Know the program schedule and details.
• Be knowledgeable about the GPU program, from program registration to post event photos and evaluation.
• Assist in taking meaningful, interactive photos.
• Distribute snacks and drinks at break time in the major, clean up when finished.
• Keep the GPU home base well organized.
• Assist GPU instructors, program manager or coordinator as needed.
• Facilitate planned Thursday evening activities.
• Lend general assistance and customer service when needed.
• Organize the grandchildren for the graduation ceremony.
• Be an ambassador to the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association.
• Make sure all participants are safe and having a great time!

Support a service-oriented atmosphere in accordance with WFAA mission, values and philosophy

• The transforming impact of the UW Madison;
• The treatment of all with high ethical and behavioral standards including honesty, integrity, respect, courtesy, and dignity;
• The spirit, involvement, participation, engagement, and impact of alumni and friends with the UW-Madison and with each other;
• The joy of giving and the power of philanthropy;
• The interdependent nature of all aspects of the Parties’ collective relationships in fulfilling their missions; and
• The highest level of stewardship of the investment of donors’ philanthropy in support of the UW-Madison and the relationships and trust accrued through alumni development and engagement activities.

Who You Are:

• Strong verbal communication skills are required.   
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• High degree of customer service skills.
• Completed some college coursework and currently enrolled (or admitted) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is preferred.
• Familiarity of the UW-Madison campus, preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in event planning and execution, summer camps, retail or service industry are all helpful.
• Ability to prioritize and work with a high degree of independence.
• This is a very active position. During set up and execution, this position will be mostly on their feet with lots of walking and moving around. Candidates may need to be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.  

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (advanceuw.org) is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.