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. waeopp-lcci@eoa.org

• 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.