Rev. Michael Burch has years of ministry, non-profit and university experience, including decades of engaging students as a teacher and coach. He completed his seminary training in the Graduate Theological Union-UC Berkeley joint MA program and later a graduate degree in ancient Mediterranean religions and philosophies from Brown University. He served as senior minister for churches in Rhod Island and the SF Bay Area. Most recently he was a visiting faculty member at the Berkeley School of Theology (CA), teaching courses in the Gospels, historical Jesus, and community organizing. He has experience in interfaith collaborations among Abrahamic traditions, and other world faiths. Michael returns to the UW-Madison, after starting his coaching career at UW years ago in the wrestling program. He later coached for a span of about 20 years at UC Davis and Brown University. He has broad organizing and advocacy experience, including two widely publicized student civil rights cases, one of which was an historic Title IX (gender equity) case at UC Davis that helped propel women’s wrestling into the college and olympic levels. Rev. Burch is also certified in transitional ministries and conflict management.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to join The Crossing community and support its mission. I’m excited to champion the values of justice, compassion, inclusion, and impactful advocacy. I feel fortunate to partner with such a talented and dedicated group of students and staff, who seek a meaningful spirituality."

Wherever you are coming from, you are welcome at The Crossing. I look forward to welcoming you and getting to know you.”

Reach Michael Burch at his office on the second floor of The Crossing (#211), by e-mail at burch.director@crossingministries.org, or phone at (608) 257-1039 extension 101

Andi started as a student at The Crossing in 2016. She has fulfilled many roles in the organization since then, including student intern, The Crossing student organization president, building resident, building manager, and now most recently, the building administrator. Reach out to Andi for any questions pertaining to the building, events, space rentals, and logistics.

You can reach Andi by stopping by her office room #219 on the second floor of The Crossing, by e-mail at office@crossingministries.org, or by phone at (608) 257-1039 extension 102.

Elizabeth brings hospitality, musical and theological gifts to The Crossing as the Coordinator for Worship and Hospitality. She is part of the music team, and occasionally provides sermon messages during the Wednesday evening gathering. She helps students feel welcomed and included. We are so excited to have her continue sharing her gifts this coming year!

Hello! My name is Erin Zenk and I am a junior at UW, majoring in Art Education. I am very excited to be the Activities Team Facilitator here at The Crossing! I will be leading our monthly Student Org Activities Team meetings in order to plan some pretty exciting social and service-oriented activities. If you have any ideas or suggestions of what we should do as a group, don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear them! I’m looking forward to meeting all of you lovely people and taking on a larger role here. The Crossing is such an inclusive and welcoming space that has become such a sanctuary for me during my college career and I hope it will become the same for you!

Olivia focuses on building connections with local organizations and engaging in research surrounding worker’s rights issues in Wisconsin, and Madison specifically. She has focused especially on low-wage work and student-workers at UW, drawing connections between tipping culture, managerial oversight, and a lack of affordability for workers in Madison. She works on gathering more information and data and creating more awareness about exploitative practices in Madison businesses, and workplaces in general.

"Workers’ rights are very important to UW Students, faculty and staff. From undergraduate students to staff working in all of UW’s buildings, labor justice is necessary. The university functions only because of the labor its students and staff provide. Graduate students fill teaching positions, undergraduates contribute to research, cleaning, the residents of every hall, and so much more. As the cost-of-living increases, and student wages at UW continue to fall behind what's necessary to afford tuition, housing, and basic needs, UW’s student workers are being squeezed out of housing, schooling, and Madison as a city. In light of this, as well as workers’ issues facing larger Madison." - Olivia Ligman

Imran is currently a junior at UW-Madison studying Global Health and Microbiology. He is passionate about advocating for just food systems, and is hoping to increase transparency within campus to promote food security. Outside of school, Imran enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing or watching soccer, and playing his guitar.

Imran has been involved with food justice since the spring of his sophomore year. For a class project, he composed a research paper discussing the prevalence of food insecurity in the US, among college students, and in Dane county. His research sparked a passion for advocacy, inspiring him to get involved with organizations on campus that help alleviate food insecurity. Imran has been volunteering with Slow Food UW since the spring of his sophomore year, and hopes to continue working on advocating for food justice with Slow Food and the Crossing. He plans to introduce a food justice blog to help spread awareness about problems with food systems and food security among peers.

Valeria Martinez is an alumnus of The Crossing and a third year UW law student In the fall Valeria became The Crossing’s Immigration Advocacy Coordinator. She uses her time to raise awareness among Madison’s undocumented youth about Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).

SIJS is a non-immigrant status for minors in the U.S. who were abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both of their parents and for whom returning to their country is against their best interest. SIJS provides the minor with documentation they need to obtain state IDs or driver licenses and work authorization. It also makes them eligible for Permanent Residency and subsequently citizenship in the future.

Valeria: “I am excited and thankful to have The Crossing’s support to address some misinformation about SIJS in Madison!”

Valeria will visit local schools this semester to present and distribute information and resources about SIJS.

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Board of Directors