Interns & Volunteers
To fulfill vital components of its mission regarding civic engagement, service-learning, and youth leadership opportunities, WIPPS provides internship and volunteer opportunities for UW Colleges students, young community leaders, and life-long learners. WIPPS interns are involved in WIPPS community and statewide projects and collaborations, for which they can receive departmental or independent study credits or other compensation. WIPPS volunteers help with programming, event coordinating, office responsibilities, and more.
With guidance from the WIPPS Director and the WIPPS intern supervisor, Ian Reese, WIPPS has hosted over 20 student interns and volunteers. WIPPS has also worked closely with AmeriCorps*VISTA participants placed on site through Wisconsin Campus Compact in addtition to VISTAs attached to other institutions.
The goal of the WIPPS internship program is to involve students with strong leadership potential in WIPPS projects and activities by creating mentoring, service, and reflection opportunities, thereby increasing civic and campus engagement for all participants. The internship program offers a chance for interns to reflect on civic and community issues and get involved in the programs and events sponsored by WIPPS.
In addition, WIPPS believes that community involvement is essential to the success of its programs, and IS eager to have community members volunteer their time and talents to help in fulfilling its mission of making policy issues accessible to the public. For more information on intern and volunteer opportunities, contact eric.giordano@uwc.edu.
WIPPS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM YEARS, PARTICIPANTS, AND ACTIVITIES
2011-2012:
John Kronenwetter/Ian Reese/Marianna Giordano/Taylor Peterson and others—Wisconsin Dairy History Project
- The College Access Project—WIPPS interns will partner with Continuing Education and DPI to give seventh grade students in the Wausau area tools and experiences to help them have a healthy and successful college experience. Interns will be involved with tutoring, mentoring, and assisting with tours of UW-Marathon County..
- Kids Voting—Kids Voting USA is hosting two Mock Political Conventions during Winterim (January 2012). One will be for high school students and another for middle schoolers. These mock conventions will teach youth valuable lessons about how America's political process works. Interns will assist with event planning and will help to facilitate the events.
- The K-12 Deliberation Project—For several years, WIPPS has introduced the deliberative model to various middle and high schools in the Wausau area. This year, WIPPS interns will assist with this programming, increase their own understanding of the deliberative process, and assist middle and high school students in developing their leadership and teamwork skills.
- The National Debt Deliberation Project—For 2011-2012, WIPPS will be hosting a statewide series of public deliberations on America's National Debt and possible solutions to that issue. Interns will assist in event planning and will serve as note-takers and moderators for the events.
2010-2011:
- Town of Wausau Survey - Jerri Blumenstein/Ruth Menard/Michael McNeil
Economic Security Deliberation - Greg Quella/Michele Schmitt/Matt Bauman/Michael McNeil
UW System Sustainability Forum - Matt Bauman/John Kronenwetter
Kids Voting USA - Megan Lucht/Micaela Martin
"Alcohol in Our Culture" Deliberations - Alex Czarnecki
New Better Way Club Fundraiser - Miles Dux/Greg Quella/Matt Bauman/Micaela Martin/Megan Lucht/John Kronenwetter
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program - AmeriCorps*VISTA Anne Rapp
Economic Security Forums - Ashley Marschall
2009-2010:
Health Care Event "Coming to Judgment"- Michael McNeil/Haley Zblewski-Harker
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and FAFSA Preparation - AmeriCorps*VISTAs/Anne Rapp and Jim Cardinal
Intern Coordinator
In Fall 2009, the WIPPS Internship Program Supervisor position was created and Ian Reese (current UWMC student and former AmeriCorps worker placed at the Wausau District New Horizons and charter middle school) was hired to direct the program. Reese has experience with organizing young people and a strong personal drive to build a quality intern program that attracts highly motivated students who energetically serve the campus and community. Reese is a trained NIF Deliberation Moderator and a co-creator of the UWMC Student Civic Leadership Program.