Seminar Staff & Counselors
Thanks for your interest in joining our world-class team of counselors and staff! Our Staff Application & Staff Health Form can be completed online (preferred method). Alternatively, you can complete the application & health form by printing them & submitting them to our office. Our Youth Activities Affidavit must be printed & submitted with a signature.
Applications are considered complete when all (3) forms are completed and received by our staff. Please be sure to complete the Application, Youth Activities Affidavit, and the Staff Health Form.
- Counselor 1 (first and second year counselors)
- Counselor 2 (third year of experience and more)
- Senior Staff: Dean of Students, Academic Assistant, Recreation Leader, Transportation Leader, Talent Leader and Social Media & Communications Director.
- Registered Nurse (Registered Nurses preferable with experience in school nursing, pediatrics or emergency services).
Staff Counselors are responsible for attending all training sessions, facilitating simulations and discussion groups, participating in and facilitating all recreational activities, walking to and from all large and small group sessions as well as all recreational activities, leading floor meetings, implementing and enforcing the rules and expectations of participants, assisting participants, staff, affiliated Carroll University staff, parents, and other support organizations throughout the seminar week, assisting in the check-in and check-out of participants, and additional tasks that may be assigned by the Dean of Students or Senior Staff Counselors. All work product such as photos, lesson plans, videos, recordings and other materials created for use as part of your Counselor duties become the property of WAS unless specifically agreed otherwise.
- Eager to Focus on a “Delegate-centric” experience.
- Open to new ideas
- Respectful of others
- Loyal to the Principles of the World Affairs Seminar
- Present a positive image in attitude, spirit and appearance
- Work as a member of a team of dedicated leaders
- Interested in world events and making a difference locally and globally
- International experience a strong “plus” (but not a requirement)
- Able to facilitate a group without supervision
- Personally accountable, ethical and truthful
- Self-motivated
- Creative, energetic and fun to be around
- Able and willing to participate in recreational and physical activities
- Possess strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Well organized
- Compassionate and empathetic; willing to listen; patient
- Are preparing to begin their 3rd year of college (having just completed their Sophomore year) or have been out of high school for a minimum of two years
Your employment will begin at 12:00 p.m. on June 19, 2020 and continue through the departure of all Seminar participants by 2:00 p.m. on June 26, 2019. You are expected to be on duty in the residence halls each evening and overnight during that time period.
FRIDAY evening – Please plan your travel to ARRIVE on campus by 11 a.m. to check-in and receive your room assignment. TRAINING SESSIONS: All Staff Counselors are to attend both Seminar training sessions beginning at Noon on Friday June 19 and 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Carroll University.
General Application
Click Here to apply online now, step one of three towards completing your application.
Staff Health Form
Click Here to complete our online health form, required for all staff and counselors.
Youth Activities Affidavit
Click Here to download & complete Rotary’s Youth Activities Affidavit, required for all staff and counselors.
Note: If you are unable to complete the online forms or prefer a PDF form to complete, please contact our staff at contact@worldaffairsseminar.org and we would be happy to provide appropriate accomodations. Thank you!
Thomas M. Plantenberg, MS, BA,CFRE
Executive Director
Tom Plantenberg assumed the position of Executive Director of the World Affairs Seminar in 2008. He has reorganized the Board of Directors and created a multi-national, high-profile Advisory Board. Tom Plantenberg is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). He is accredited by the Association of Health Care Philanthropy, and a Fellow and Past President of the Wisconsin Hospital Public Relations and Marketing Society. He retired in 2007 from the U.S. Navy Reserve at the rank of Captain.
Stuart Schmidt
Program Administrator
Stuart Schmidt graduated in 2017 from Northland College with degrees in Sustainable Community Development and Sociology. He attended World Affairs Seminar as a high school delegate, and has since found passion in supporting youth empowerment through education. Stuart joins the WAS staff with experience in higher education, youth program development, fundraising and donor management, and skills in web development and photography. He has held several different roles with World Affairs Seminar, including as staff counselor, Senior Staff, and Web Developer. In his current role, he coordinates the registration process, manages delegate room assignments, coordinates meals, manages the website & social media, and provides a host of other services for staff, sponsors, and delegates.
Michael Carriere, PhD
Academic Dean
Dr. Carriere is an Associate Professor and Director of the University Scholars Honors Program with the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He has extensive experience in curriculum development, international affairs, politics of disaster, urban development, civics and international history.
Dr. Carriere brings a wealth of creative energy and enthusiasm, to his position. He has developed and is applying an innovative set of changes to advance the texture and scope of the World Affairs Seminar, including broadening the scope of break-out sessions and integrating service projects into the capstone process. His high level of experience in academics and international education adds considerable depth to WAS.
Marie Furrer
Office Manager & Registrar
Marie joined WAS in 2020, bringing 20 years of administration experience and a wealth of knowledge to the organization. Her past positions supporting the administrative and organizational needs of a busy high school as well as several other large organizations have equipped her well in her role.