Welcome to our community of advising, career services, and learning support professionals! The Office of Academic & Career Success (OACS) is here to help you as you navigate your first weeks, months, and beyond at UW–Madison. In addition to helping you gain access to information and training you’ll need, OACS staff hope to support and connect with you as you start your new position with the university.
Have you filled out the New Staff Form?
- Not yet? Please fill out the New Staff Form. You will receive a welcome email that will connect you with community members and an invitation to a New Staff Welcome Session.
- Yes! Then please continue to the steps below to get connected to important resources.
Step 1: Subscribe to our Email Lists
Sign up for these email lists to stay connected on upcoming trainings, community building opportunities, and more.
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New Staff Email List
- For: New Advising, Career Services, and Learning Support Staff
- Join this list during your first year at UW–Madison to stay updated on training and community building opportunities for new staff in the advising, career services, and learning support communities.
Advisor-link Email List
- For: Primarily advising staff, and may also be helpful for advising-adjacent roles including career services, learning support, and other student support roles
- Join this list for advising-related information at UW-Madison. The purpose of this list is primarily to help faculty, staff, and peer advisors keep informed about important information that may be of use in their advising roles.
Career Services Staff Email List
- For: Primarily career services staff, and may also be helpful for those with an interest in supporting student career development and success.
- The Career Services Council (CSC) listserv is a subscription email list available for all UW-Madison staff and primarily intended for sharing career services-related information across campus.
Step 2: Participate in Campus Resources and Referrals
Campus Resources and Referrals is a fantastic opportunity for new staff members to build community while also learning about key campus resources plus when and how to refer students across campus. Participating student services offices include Dean of Students, University Health Services, McBurney Disability Resource Center, and more.
You can view the upcoming Campus Resources and Referrals Sessions here! Also, be sure to fill out the interest form here or in the event listing to be notified of upcoming sessions.
New staff members are also welcome to join in many of our Office of Academic & Career Success events. Please visit our online events calendar to see all of the events we facilitate.
Step 3: Learn About Technology Tools
Learn more about the tools available to advisors, learning support, and career services staff, including the Advising Gateway, Advisor Notes System, Handshake, Starfish and more.
Step 4: Learn About More Opportunities
Communities of Practice
Join an OACS Community of Practice. Communities of Practice are groups of colleagues who share common challenges, opportunities, or a passion for a given topic, and who collaborate to deepen their understanding of that topic.
Solo Staff Community
Are you the only undergraduate student facing-employee in your department or unit? We invite you to join the Solo Staff Community!
First-Gen Gatherings
The Office of Academic & Career Success facilitates monthly informal community gatherings designed for staff members who experienced being the first in their household to attend and/or graduate college. Gatherings prioritize being in community and sharing individual stories and experiences.
FERPA Information
FERPA — the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended — is a federal law that governs the privacy of student education records, access to those records, and disclosure of information from them.
DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) Training
DARS is a tool used to help advise enrollment and degree requirements. Learn more about DARS resources and trainings.
Professional Organizations
UW-Madison advising and career services staff are encouraged to join and participate in regional and national professional organizations. From resources, to networking opportunities, to conference experiences, these organizations provide additional opportunities for growth and development.
Connect to a Mentor
Learn about campus resources to connect with and learn from experienced staff.
For Graduate Program Coordinators
If you are also a graduate program coordinator, learn more about training opportunities related to that aspect of your role.
UW Suicide Prevention Training
UW-Madison students often look to faculty or staff for support when they are struggling. The UW-Madison Suicide Prevention Training provides a guide for having conversations and can also increase your confidence in talking with students about mental health and suicide.