Jzong Thao

Jzong Thao has been working as a Hmong-English interpreter, translator, and trainer for Cultural Linguistics Services, Office of Human Resources at UW-Madison since 2005.  His role is to provide language services to UW employees who are English Language Learners from when they are applying for jobs at the UW to when they retire. He interprets for orientation and benefits enrollment to disciplinary/termination meetings with supervisor/management. Jzong translates all documents and surveys UW department and the Office of Chancellor and/or Vice Chancellor request into Hmong so employees can read the information in their own language.  When time allows, he translates information and instruction documents research programs use and gather information from the Hmong community.

Jzong also helps UW departments facilitate trainings UW employees are required to complete.  Some examples include Preventing Sexual Harassment and Cybersecurity trainings.

Prior to joining UW Madison, Jzong worked as an Employment Specialist/Case Manager with a non-profit organization contracted to run the Wisconsin Work Program.  He coordinated and conducted workshops in Hmong to program participants.  He referred those individuals ready for work to employers. From there, he provided both interpretation and translation services to the employers and employees to facilitate communication.

Jzong received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UW-Madison in 1991.