Grandparents University Intern

The Grandparents University (GPU) Intern will assist with program and event planning, event preparation, event execution, and post event work for the Advancement Programs Team. This role will be active in the planning of WAA’s annual Grandparents University program. GPU Interns are ambassadors of WFAA and UW-Madison. In addition to office hours, these student hourly positions will serve as lead GPU counselors for the three sessions of GPU in July.

Spring and Summer 2024: $16-17 per hour, based on experience, for an approximate total of 20 hours per week (with the option to increase hours in the summer).

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  

Who is WFAA?
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers. 

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive.  

• Participate in team meetings and WFAA trainings
•  Pre-Event Duties
  • Attend and assist in the presentation of GPU Counselor Trainings
  • General GPU Customer Service and Ongoing Project Support
    • Assist with Customer service
    • Assist with database entry
    • Assist with creating reports
    • Support program team as needed
  • Ordering necessary supplies for program execution
•  Event Execution
  • Assist with leading counselors through the program
    • Answer questions that counselors may have about the program
    • Assist in the organization of counselors during opening session and graduation
  •  Assist with leading participants through the program
    • Assist with move-in and set up.
    • Assist with program check-in
    • 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!
• Post Program
  • Organization and clean-up of GPU materials
  • Update the GPU lists
  • Assisting with final reporting
• Support WFAA teams as needed
  • Be knowledgeable about WFAA and university programs
  • Lend general assistance and customer service across the Alumni Relations and Engagement Division when needed.
  • Be an ambassador to the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Who You Are:

• Currently enrolled or recently graduated from UW-Madison or another higher education institution.
• 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. Demonstrated experience in event planning and execution, summer camps, retail or service industry are all helpful.
• 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.