Penn State World Campus students can take advantage of great opportunities to practice leadership and provide service within the World Campus community when they become Penn State World Campus Student Ambassadors. More than 50 students are already serving in this role, and any actively enrolled World Campus student in good standing with the University is eligible to apply to become a Student Ambassador. The World Campus Student Affairs Office accepts applications for this program on a rolling basis. Orientations for new Ambassadors are held in January, April, July, and October each year.
What does the program involve?
Student Ambassadors spend a minimum of one to two hours each month, on average, participating in the program. They also have opportunities to connect with fellow ambassadors and student leaders through virtual meetings held each quarter and through the group’s Pride, which is a private, closed group located within the Canvas learning management platform. This also helps Student Ambassadors enhance their leadership and communication skills by engaging with staff, faculty, and other students. As Student Ambassadors gain knowledge and understanding of leadership roles in a virtual environment, they can also become more aware of diversity in identities, cultures, and society as they work with peers and University administrators from many different departments. In 2018, Student Ambassadors will also have a new opportunity to be mentors to other students through a variety of programs.
How does the program connect students with Penn State?
In addition to serving as a knowledgeable resource for their peers, Student Ambassadors provide assistance in many other ways. They have attended virtual and regional events, connecting with current and prospective students, and have taken on leadership roles in the New Student Orientation online Canvas course and the annual Penn State World Campus Virtual Book Club. They have also helped many different Penn State World Campus units by providing valuable insights from a student perspective on areas such as website usability and course design. Several Student Ambassadors have completed additional training so they could assist with outreach efforts geared toward newly admitted and prospective Penn State World Campus students.
