
Asly Warren
Human Development and Family Studies and a certificate in Chican@/Latin@ Studies
“My favorite thing of the Morgridge Center has been everyone I have been able to collaborate and share a space with. The environment is so welcoming and supporting which has made it a treat to be part of this community. I have been able to learn something from everyone and grow so much more from this experience.”

Claire Steven
Political Science and certificates in Gender and Women’s Studies, Global Health, and African Studies
“Working at the Morgridge Center has given me an understanding of community and democracy that I hope to take with me in all of my future endeavors. Having the opportunity to work with and learn from my incredible fellow student interns and the professional staff has brought joy to every day this year, whether we were chatting and laughing about life or executing a project we spent months planning. I’ve fallen in love with community engagement and organizing, learned a great deal about what it means to be a civically engaged individual, and how to help the people I love make change in their communities, too.”

Fisnik Lumani
Psychology
“The Morgridge Center has not only served as a place of employment over the past four years, but it also has been my home! I have met some really great people and have made everlasting friendships through the Morgridge Center! The professional staff and the student staff are AMAZING and extremely supportive! I will be forever grateful to the Morgridge Center as it enhanced my experience as an undergraduate and increased my confidence and voice to be a more engaged citizen.”

Gilly McBride
Political Science and Environmental Studies
“The best part about working at the Morgridge Center for Public Service is that you learn there is no such thing as small work. You learn how to take the bird’s eye view on the work we’re all doing here together, and you bring that way of thinking everywhere you go.”

Haley Spranger
Nursing
“My favorite part about working at the Morgridge Center for Public Service is that it was, and forever will be, my home away from home. My experience with Badger Volunteers has truly been life-changing and has helped me become the nurse I hope to be as I will always reflect on my everyday experiences, continuously growing as a leader in health care.”

Juna Ly
Environmental Science and a certificate in Global Health
“Throughout my time at the Morgridge Center I have learned a deeper and more meaningful definition of what service is. Service now to me is more than just getting those hours and volunteering. It is addressing what the needs are that the community wants and learning from my community. It is not what I can give to my community but what I can learn from my community. There are also so many ways to engage and give back that I would have never known before working at the Morgridge Center”

Kayla Naus
Community and Nonprofit Leadership
“Being a transfer student my junior year, I was worried about finding my place at UW-Madison and where I would fit in. Reflecting on the past year and a half, being an intern at the Morgridge Center for Public Service has given me a home at UW-Madison. I’ve had the opportunity to surround myself with so many kind, inspiring, and passionate people while being involved with the Badger Volunteers program.”

Ryan Zeller
“My favorite part of working at the Morgridge Center has been the kind, welcoming environment encouraged by all its staff and students. I’ve worked many different student jobs in my time at UW, but I’ve never felt more welcome and accepted than I do at the center.”

Saskia Van Riessen
Journalism
“I’m incredibly grateful to have been a part of an organization that creates so much positive social change. It was especially rewarding to receive feedback from our community partners that benefited from promotion that I helped create over the last year and a half. Besides a vast array of professional communications experience, the Morgridge Center for Public Service has also given me a group of wonderful friends. There wasn’t a day where I didn’t smile at work.”

Signe Janoska-Bedi
Political Science and Classical Humanities
“It is difficult to relate to so many people when you table, meeting them where they’re at and going in without assumptions. Exercises like ABQ (Ask Big Questions) helped me work on fostering open spaces, employing open language, welcoming with open arms.”

Smile Shi
Psychology
“Working at the Morgridge Center for Public Service has given me amazing opportunities to learn and understand different parts of the Madison community, UW campus, and student body. I love being informed about work that has been done in our community as well as sitting down with students to explore how they can use their education and strengths to meet community’s needs.”

Teddy Varelis
International Studies
“Working through the Morgridge Center has allowed me to observe and contribute to community-based projects that address relevant issues in Madison. My inclusion in these community-university partnerships has drastically broadened my definitions and visions of public service and civic engagement. Not only have I gained practical skills for ethical, sustainable, and responsible community-based service, I have had the privilege to engage with less-visible communities in Madison, been welcomed into their circles and witnessed the incredible work that’s being done to improve our city. I wish I would’ve joined the Morgridge Center sooner in my undergraduate studies!”