Find Your People and Leadership Opportunities through the Wisconsin Union Directorate
Students are asking: Where can I find my people, the people I enjoy spending time with and could be forever friends? Some are also asking, where can I find hands-on opportunities to hone my skills and learn new ones? There’s one answer to both of these questions: the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD).
What is WUD (pronounced like “wood”)? It’s called a programming board, meaning the student leaders creating programming. In the case of WUD, they create more than 1,000 events a year.
Students have lots of options when it comes to how to get involved. WUD is made up of six outdoors clubs, called the Wisconsin Hoofers, and 12 committees that cover a wide range of programming topics, from film to non-partisan politics.
Students can participate in many ways, so no matter how busy a student’s schedule may be, there’s a way for them to still learn and connect with others through WUD.
I sat down with WUD Vice President of External Relations Ellena Hein to learn about the benefits of being a part of this incredible organization. Whether you are a member of a committee or hold an executive role, there is a space for everyone’s interests and ideas, Hein emphasized throughout our conversation.
“I don’t think there is another place on campus where you can get involved in these great opportunities,” Hein said.
There are countless avenues for involvement in WUD. To begin, being a member of any committee will allow you to manage your own commitment and contribute in ways that interest you most. There are weekly committee meetings and various free events, but overall, you can involve yourself as much as you like or as much as you have time for.
For those who are looking for more in-depth involvement, there are many positions available each year. To start, there are director and associate director positions within each committee. These positions average around 10 hours of work a week and are the main voice and mind behind each committee’s vision.
There are also four officer positions, including president, vice president of internal relations, vice president of external relations and vice president of resource and operations. Learn more about each of those opportunities here.
Any involvement can help you build your portfolio, make professional connections, and gain exposure to future career fields. For example, the WUD Music Committee organizes the live performances at the Wisconsin Union’s Memorial Union Terrace, WUD Art curates the art galleries at Union South and Memorial Union, and WUD Literary Arts Committee produces and publishes three magazines. These opportunities not only expose you to real-world, hands-on experiences but also connect you with people who share similar interests and passions.
“For me, personally, I met my best friends through WUD,” Hein said. “WUD attracts incredible people.”
WUD has made an impact on students, families and community members for decades and helped generations of students find their people and professional and pastime passions. The organization provides resources to fund students’ ambitions, like bringing Jane Goodall and Bill Nye to campus for free lectures, and prepares students for the post-graduation world. If you’re interested in trying out being part of a committee or club, check out the events calendar to join the next meeting, reach out to a committee or club through email, or follow @wisconsinuniondirectorate on Instagram for day-to-day updates and announcements.
“If you want to get involved, come to events, come to committee meetings,” Hein said.
