By Xai Xiong l October 27, 2026

University of Wisconsin–Madison students pursuing the Leadership Certificate can now earn leadership certificate hours in the trainings and workshops category by listening to the Morgridge Center for Public Service podcast, GridgeFridge.

Under the Leadership Certificate’s involvement requirements, students must complete over 100 hours divided between three areas: civic engagement, organizational/group leadership and training and workshops.

“We are excited to have the GridgeFridge be a part of the leadership certificate,” says Morgridge Center Marketing Manager Xai Xiong. “We know that the guests we bring in will be able to provide valuable learning opportunities for students and the community.”

The training and workshops category is designed to promote learning and growth in one or more of the seven Leadership Framework competencies, such as interpersonal communication, decision-making and self-awareness. Because of the range of diverse topics that GridgeFridge has engaged in, Leadership Certificate Student Coordinator Eric Mainu says that the global and cultural learning opportunities will help deepen students understanding of cultures, identities and perspectives.

“By tuning in to GridgeFridge’s engaging lineup of speakers and stories, students can gain new perspectives, strengthen their leadership development and make progress toward earning the Leadership Certificate,” says Mao Thao, the student leadership development specialist for the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement.

Created in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the podcast aimed to engage and bolster community, campus and student voices during an all-virtual setting. Six years later, the podcast remains a consistent outreach and engagement tool for the Morgridge Center with over 50 published episodes and 198 hours of audio consumption.

The GridgeFridge podcast has kicked off its seventh season and is looking forward to another year of engaging with thought-leaders that cultivate a thriving democratic society.

Individuals or groups interested in being on the GridgeFridge podcast can reach out to Xiong.