Why Join WAEOPP?

The Wisconsin Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (WAEOPP) is a professional association dedicated to broadening access to and ensuring success in postsecondary education. WAEOPP brings together individuals who are professionally involved in—or have an active interest in—college access and success, with a particular focus on students who face barriers related to socioeconomic status, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or limited educational opportunity.

As a member of the WAEOPP Chapter, you are also a member of the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA). EOA serves a ten‑state region with more than 1,000 members and is one of the largest regional educational opportunity associations in the nation. EOA members include professionals whose work supports TRIO programs, TRIO‑eligible students, and broader college access and success initiatives.

Together, WAEOPP and EOA provide opportunities for advocacy, professional development, research, networking, and leadership—strengthening the collective impact of those committed to advancing educational opportunity for all students.

Professional Development and Networking: members can attend the annual conference, Chapter conferences, webinars, and drive-ins.

Members Involved in Leadership & Engagement (MILE) & Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI): these competitive leadership programs help members enhance their leadership skills.
Scholarships: all members are encouraged to help their students apply for WAEOPP & EOA Foundation scholarships. Last year, WAEOPP awarded $11,000 to Wisconsin students, and EOAF awarded more than $30,000 to our students in our region.

Membership Benefits

Research: EOA houses the Best Practices Clearinghouse which provides information on promising and best practices to improve the success of low-income, first-generation, and historically underrepresented students.

Advocacy: With the help of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), most of WAEOPP and EOA's Board of Directors advocate for underrepresented students annually in Washington, DC. Some funding may be available to help members and their alumni attend COE's Policy Seminar each March.

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Team Model

How Our Team Structure Works

WAEOPP uses a team‑based structure that allows members to contribute in meaningful and manageable ways. Rather than one group doing everything, members join teams aligned with their interests, skills, and professional goals. Each team supports a specific aspect of WAEOPP’s mission and helps advance TRIO and EOP programs across Wisconsin.

Our team structure is grounded in the WAEOPP Constitution and reflects our commitment to broadening access to and ensuring success in postsecondary education. Teams support this mission by promoting research and training, responding to policy and advocacy issues, strengthening communication networks, and coordinating with organizations aligned with WAEOPP’s goals.

By serving on a team, members can participate in conference planning, advocacy efforts, professional development, governance, communication, and leadership growth—while building skills, expanding networks, and supporting the students we serve.

Operational Operations Team: Supports governance, evaluation, partnerships, and long‑term planning for the Chapter.

Team Lead: Chelsea Burton, SSS, UW-Oshkosh

Legal Concerns & Constitutional Issues: Manages revisions and amendments to the Constitution; advises the Board on resolutions and constitutional interpretation.
Research & Evaluation: Leads research, evaluation, and planning related to WAEOPP’s purposes; proposes evaluation models; develops chapter‑wide data on students and TRIO/EOP programs; and evaluates conferences/workshops in concert with Professional Development and Annual Conference. Addresses priorities set by the Board.waeopp-evaluation@eoa.org
Special Concerns & Affiliations:–Reviews WAEOPP’s current conditions and recommends strategic directions in collaboration with/consultation to the Board. waeopp@eoa.org
Strategic Planning & Development: Reviews WAEOPP’s current conditions and recommends strategic directions in collaboration with/consultation to the Board.

Foundation Team: Focuses on membership, finances, scholarships, and leadership processes.

Led by Linda Her, SSS, UW-Oshkosh

Membership and Certification: Promotes membership, determines membership class and eligibility, certifies eligible voters, and monitors/tallies votes as needed. The President‑Elect serves on this committee (and at the Association level). wisconsin-president-elect@eoa.org
Finance: Monitors all fiscal matters and recommends the annual budget for Board approval. The President is ex officio; the Treasurer and President‑Elect serve as members.: waeopp-finance@eoa.org
COE Fair Share: Fair Share is the annual fundraising campaign coordinated by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) to support national advocacy for TRIO Programs. Funds raised through Fair Share help ensure that TRIO remains well-represented on Capitol Hill and that students, professionals, and communities continue to benefit from strong federal support. Why Fair Share Matters to WAEOPP: We proudly support COE’s mission to strengthen and advance TRIO Programs nationwide.
Scholarship: Disseminates EOA/WAEOPP scholarship information, manages nominations, and selects finalists. One member represents at the Association level. waeopp-scholarship@eoa.org
Nominations & Elections: This group of members gathers nominations for the Board and manages elections by mail or digital systems. All Chapter Presidents and Presidents-Elect must be elected during the period between Annual Meetings. Email: waeopp-nominations@eoa.org

Outreach and Communication Team: Promotes advocacy, outreach, and communication across WAEOPP platforms.

Led by Jessi Mularky, SSS, UW-River Falls

Legislation: Monitors federal, state, and local legislation, policies, rules, and regulations affecting TRIO/EOP; initiates research; develops position statements; issues calls to action; and disseminates governance/funding/persistence information for TRIO/EOP. waeopp-leg-edu@eoa.org
Public Relations and Communications: Encourages publication supportive of WAEOPP goals; announces and promotes programs/events; collaborates with Technology to market WAEOPP’s message across media; publicizes student opportunities; and assists with marketing institutes and conferences. Email: waeopp.public-relations@eoa.org
Achievers/Alumni: Obtains nominations and selects annual TRIO Achievers Award recipients; establishes and maintains a Wisconsin TRIO alumni database and events. waeoppalumni@eoa.org
Technology: Provides technology support, management, and maintenance; maintains online systems and website; and ensures dissemination and availability of publications, documents, event information, and membership information.waeopp-technology@eoa.org

Education and Development Team: Creates professional development, leadership, and student engagement opportunities.

Led by Faith Pawelski, SSS, UW-Eau Claire

Professional Development: Develops and disseminates professional development, training, and advancement opportunities; plans and conducts the annual WAEOPP Spring Conference by coordinating all aspects of planning, implementing, and evaluating the Annual Conference. waeopp-profdev@eoa.org or Annual Conference Email: waeoppconference@eoa.org
McNair/SSS Annual Retreat: Secures and schedules a graduate‑school training program for McNair Scholars and SSS participants—providing networking, graduate admissions guidance, Q&A, and research‑sharing opportunities.
Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI): The ELI program is an innovative program designed by EOA leaders to strengthen the association by developing potential leaders.
Members Involved in Leadership and Engagement (MILE): The M ILE program is designed for WAEOPP members interested in learning about TRIO and association history. Our newer professionals in TRIO or any member looking to get more involved within the WAEOPP Chapter. MILE will help participants expand their leadership skills, network, and build community.