Poke Pack Leaders

Poke Pack Leaders -- Student employees 

Shape the college experience for new students and help them be successful at UW…PLUS get paid for your efforts and receive top-notch training to help build your résumé!

On Aug. 19-23, 2025, the Saddle Up program will require hard-working student employees called Poke Pack Leaders, who will lead small groups of incoming UW students throughout the week's programming. Poke Pack Leaders will earn $10.50/hour, plus overtime. In addition to financial incentives, Poke Pack Leaders are also included in a pre-camp training program led by the Student Success and Graduation Hub. They will receive a range of trainings and certificates throughout Saddle Up, which will provide those soft skills that look great on résumés such as conflict management, interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate change. 

What is Saddle Up?

In an effort to prepare students for college life, UW introduced Saddle Up in 2022. This year, Saddle Up will be held the week prior to the start of fall classes, from August 19-23, 2025 incoming students will go through a week-long onboarding process to better prepare them for life at UW.

The Saddle Up program provides incoming students with a realistic, rigorous, fun, and exciting entry to college-level work, with an emphasis on how to be successful in a college class. Saddle Up gives students real-world college preparation on a small scale, with classes that include homework and exams with feedback on how to improve performance (low stakes), fitness and wellness time, college connection time, study time, and essential skills sessions. This experience equips incoming students with the academic skills and mindset they will need to be successful at the University of Wyoming.

Students who attended the inaugural Saddle Up program have experienced decreases in first-semester anxiety and a earlier connection to resources to help them be successful.