Why Join Our Team?
The Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement (OSTFE) supports new students and their families with programs and events like SOAR, Wisconsin Welcome, the Wisconsin Experience Seminar (CP125), Transfer Transition Program, and Family Weekend.
As an OSTFE student leader, you will…
- Find community – Work alongside 100+ fellow students on a team that makes you feel supported, accepted, and celebrated.
- Gain leadership experience – Share your experience as a Badger to help new students and their families transition to UW–Madison.
- Have fun! – Events at Camp Randall. Activities in the Sett. Making lasting connections to support fellow students. This work is worth celebrating!

Student Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
Badger Buddy – Wisconsin Welcome
From helping with move-in to supporting Wisconsin Welcome events (August-September), Badger Buddies volunteer to help new students and their families navigate their transition to campus. Gain leadership experience, help new students, and earn prizes!

Family Weekend Volunteer – Parent and Family Program
UW–Madison students and staff can volunteer to support the thousands of Family Weekend (October) attendees at events on and off campus. Past events include Badger Family Fest on the Terrace, a picnic at Camp Randall, Bingo Night, and more.

New Student Leader (NSL) – SOAR
NSLs ensure SOAR runs smoothly by exhibiting excellent customer service skills, acting as knowledgeable campus resources, facilitating student small groups, and sharing their passion for being a Badger with others!

Orientation Assistant (OA) – SOAR
When students and their supporters contact our office, OAs are the ones to answer any and all questions! They are also the friendly faces folks see during check-in, providing excellent customer service, critical thinking skills, and campus knowledge.

Transfer Student Coordinator – Transfer Transition Program
The Transfer Student Coordinator (TSC) position supports transfer student programming, builds relationships with transfer students, maintains operations within the Transfer Engagement Center (TEC).

Undergraduate Teaching Fellows – Wisconsin Experience Seminar (CP125)
Fellows work with professional instructors to teach The Wisconsin Experience Seminar (CP125). This one-credit course helps new students transition to college life while learning about campus services and resources in an active learning environment.

What Our Students Have to Say

“Working at OSTFE has really given me exposure to the logistics and management required to organize multiple large-scale events such as SOAR, Wisconsin Welcome, and Family Weekend! As an International student, the working environment at OSTFE has also helped me boost my confidence in socializing and working in the USA.”
– Liyana Taib, Class of 2024, Electrical Engineering
“I love working for OSTFE because of the positive environment in the office! No matter what I’m going through, I always feel welcome and accepted here.”
-Amelia Zanin, Class of 2024, Computer Science & Graphic Design
