About Us

The Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement (OSTFE) helps incoming students and their families adjust to life at UW–Madison, while educating faculty and staff on ways to connect with first-year students.

Our mission is to understand and improve a student’s first year at UW–Madison. We are the campus leader and primary resource on the subject of student transition to UW–Madison. OSTFE supports students in self-reflection and active learning inside and outside of the classroom as they create the foundation for their Wisconsin Experience. We facilitate this process through a long-term inclusive strategy of intentional programming, on-going services, communication, and collaboration with faculty and staff.

OSTFE is supported by the New Student Fee, which appears on the Tuition and Fees bill for undergraduates. In addition, we work closely with a number of departments, community groups, and businesses which provide sponsorship for aspects of our efforts.  If you would like to provide sponsorship, please contact us via email.

Contact Us

Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement

155 William S Middleton Bldg
1305 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1319

Email: NewStudent@StudentAffairs.wisc.edu
Phone: 608-263-0367

Office Leadership

Director of the Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement, Assistant Dean

Carren Martin

Position title: Director/Assistant Dean

Email: carren.martin@wisc.edu

Assistant Director of Orientation, Lucas Dushack

Lucas Dushack

Position title: Associate Director of Orientation

Email: lucas.dushack@wisc.edu

Photo of Shelby Knuth, Associate Director of Transfer Student Engagement

Shelby Knuth

Position title: Assistant Director of Transfer Student Engagement

Email: shelby.knuth@wisc.edu

Academic Engagement

Assistant Director of Orientation, Lucas Dushack

Lucas Dushack

Position title: Associate Director of Orientation

Email: lucas.dushack@wisc.edu

Photo of Caitlin Schaer, Coordinator of Academic Engagement

Caitlin Schaer

Position title: Coordinator of Academic Engagement

Email: cschaer@wisc.edu

Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR)

Assistant Director of Orientation, Lucas Dushack

Lucas Dushack

Position title: Associate Director of Orientation

Email: lucas.dushack@wisc.edu

Photo of Cassie Sandberg, Orientation Coordinator

Cassie Sandberg

Position title: Orientation Coordinator

Email: cassie.sandberg@wisc.edu

Parent and Family Program (PFP)

Annie Doman, Parent Events Coordinator for UW–Madison's Parent and Family Program

Annie Doman

Position title: Parent Events Coordinator

Email: doman3@wisc.edu

Frank Rodriguez, Parent Outreach Coordinator for UW–Madison's Parent and Family Program

Frank Rodriguez

Position title: Parent Outreach Coordinator

Email: frodrigu@wisc.edu

Transfer Transition Program (TTP)

Photo of Shelby Knuth, Associate Director of Transfer Student Engagement

Shelby Knuth

Position title: Assistant Director of Transfer Student Engagement

Email: shelby.knuth@wisc.edu

Photo of Lily Someson, Transfer Transition Coordinator

Lily Someson

Position title: Transfer Transition Coordinator

Email: lily.someson@wisc.edu

Wisconsin Welcome

Assistant Director of Orientation, Lucas Dushack

Lucas Dushack

Position title: Associate Director of Orientation

Email: lucas.dushack@wisc.edu

Photo of Brad Lanza, Coordinator of Welcome Programs

Brad Lanza

Position title: Coordinator of Welcome Programs

Email: brad.lanza@wisc.edu

Office Staff

Photo of Carol Pope, Office Manager

Carol Pope

Position title: Office Manager

Email: carol.pope@wisc.edu

Chris Diorio

Position title: Coordinator of Digital Services

Email: chris.diorio@wisc.edu