Mentor and Tutor our Local Youth
Badger Volunteers Educate
Badger Volunteers Educate is a year-long program that connects UW-Madison students with tutoring and mentoring opportunities in Madison and surrounding areas. By committing 2 to 10 hours per week, student volunteers support local youth through academic tutoring support, mentorship, after-school programming, and community events.
This partnership strengthens educational and recreational experiences by pairing college students with community members in need. The program emphasizes consistency and relationship-building throughout the academic year and provides volunteers with transportation, comprehensive professional development, and ongoing support, including educational workshops.
Badger Volunteers Educate is open to all UW–Madison students in any major and any interest!
Our Community Partners
Students have the opportunity to work with a number of community partners
Madison Metropolitan School District
Madison Metropolitan School District (K-5)
Madison Metropolitan School District (9-10)
Literacy Network (Adults) – Literacy
Big Brothers Big Sisters*
Urban League, Schools of Hope (6-8) – Literacy & Math*
Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR)*
Jamarek Afterschool STEAM Program (K-12) – Math*
Monona Grove Tutoring Program (9-12) – Math*
Empower the Next Generation and Strengthen our Local Community
Gain practical experience, develop leadership skills, and make meaningful connections within the community, all while making a significant difference in the lives of young and older people.
If you are a work study-eligible student, you could be compensated for participating with one of our literacy or math programs. If you are interested in participating in as a work-study student, please complete the lead tutor application or tutor intake form and indicate your work-study eligibility.
Must be able to attend both program orientation dates below:
Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9am-noon – Session 1*
Sunday, Sept. 20 from 9am-noon – Session 2*
*make up sessions will be announced at a later time.
Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Tutoring
Lead tutors are expected to be on site at their designated MMSD site at least 2 days per week. General tutors are more flexible and are only required to be on site once per week. The weekly commitment for lead tutors is 10 to 15 hours while for general tutors, it is 2 to 8 hours.
Complete the lead tutor application below. The application is only for work-study eligible students.
Complete the general tutor form, including for the lead tutor role. The intake form is for work-study eligible students and volunteers.
Community Partner Organization Tutoring
Register to volunteer with one of our community partner organizations. Community partners include those with an asterisk in the “Our Community Partners” list above.
If you are brand new to Badger Volunteers Educate, you will need to create a BadgersEngage account using your UW-Madison NetID. You will be asked several questions before you can confirm your account.
After you create your account, you will be prompt to join the Badger Volunteers Educate subgroup on GivePulse where you can then sign up with a community partner.
Badger Volunteers Educate Fall 2026 Training and Development Sessions
Saturday, Sept. 12
Badger Volunteers Educate Orientation (part 1)
Gordon Common and Event Center
9:30-11:30am
Sunday, Sept. 20
Badger Volunteers Educate Orientation (part 2)
Gordon Common and Event Center
9:30am-Noon
Wednesday, Sept. 23 or Thursday, Sept. 24
K-5 Literacy, Biliteracy – Spanish, and Math
6-12 Literacy and Math
Memorial Union
4-6pm
Monday, Sept. 21 or Monday, Sept. 28
Badger Volunteers Educate launch in schools
Monthly Training Offerings
Monday, Sept. 28
Scenarios and Behavior Management with BBBS
5-6:15pm
Monday, Oct. 26
Tutor/Mentor Panel Discussion and Training (facilitator(s)): TBD
Red Gym, On Wisconsin AB
5-7pm
Monday, Nov. 30
Trauma-Informed Mentoring and Relationship Building with Dr. Travis Wright
Red Gym, On Wisconsin AB
5-7pm
Monday, Dec. 14
BVED Reflection and Self Care
Red Gym, On Wisconsin AB
5-7pm
Contact: Educational Programs Manager Emma Gleed
Badger Volunteers is generously supported by UW–Madison Facilities Planning & Management.