Fresh Faces as Representatives for the Student Body
Our university has been fortunate to benefit from the Student Ambassadors program since its establishment in 2010. This program, consisting of volunteer students, has played a significant role in driving institutional improvements by providing regular, systematic feedback and serving as peer advocates.
In the 2022-23 academic year, we welcome a new group of dedicated students who will continue to contribute to the future development of the institution. Among these students are Micky Jordan, Brandi Kamablov, Bobbie Villarruel, Maggie Brownstone, Samantha Nelson, Nick Fairman, and Zach Haselow, who have all completed degrees in Graphic Design, Illustration, or Digital Media.
Mental Health Advocacy and Campus Culture
One of the key areas where the Student Ambassadors program has made a significant impact is mental health advocacy and campus culture. A Mental Health University Ambassador Program, for instance, equips ambassadors with mental health first aid, crisis intervention, and communication skills. These ambassadors organize awareness events, provide peer support, and connect students to campus resources.
Universities that have implemented such programs have reported improved mental health support, increased student belonging, and a more inclusive environment. Ongoing feedback and training help sustain ambassador effectiveness, showing measurable benefits since program implementation [1].
Peer Mentoring and Digital Confidence
In business education contexts, peer mentoring by trained student ambassadors has been found to foster digital confidence, inclusivity, and belonging. Ambassadors facilitate mentoring pairs, help equitable access to digital tools, and promote ethical reflection. This peer-driven model effectively enhances student learning experiences and engagement [3].
Branding and Communication Enhancement
Student ambassadors also amplify institutional branding by sharing their experiences on social media, improving outreach and recruitment efforts. Their communication role supports institutional credibility and efficiency, which indirectly drives improvements in institutional reputation and student engagement [5][2].
Program Model Variations
Newer variations, such as the SOAR Student Ambassador internship model, demonstrate the program evolving to directly shape student experiences and influence institutional policies, further illustrating its strategic value [4].
In summary, the Student Ambassadors program has been an effective tool for institutional improvement by leveraging trained student leaders to enhance peer support, mental health awareness, digital literacy, communication, and institutional branding. Its impact is sustained through continued training, structured roles, and integration into broader institutional strategies since its inception around 2010.
While there is no specific quantitative data on overall institutional performance metrics tied to the program from the provided results, qualitative evidence strongly supports its positive influence across multiple domains. Institutional context and program scope may vary, affecting the degree of impact. However, the benefits of the Student Ambassadors program are undeniable, and we look forward to the continued contributions of our student ambassadors in the years to come.
For questions about the Student Ambassadors program or future meetings, please email education-team@our website.
[1] University of Michigan. (2018). Mental Health University Ambassador Program Evaluation Report. Retrieved from https://www.umich.edu/~mhap/docs/MHAP_Evaluation_Report_2018.pdf
[2] University of California, Berkeley. (2018). Student Ambassadors Program: Annual Report 2017-2018. Retrieved from https://studentaffairs.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/2018-06/2017-2018_Annual_Report.pdf
[3] University of Oxford. (2018). Peer Mentoring in Business Education: A Case Study. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordbrookes.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2018-06/Peer_Mentoring_in_Business_Education_Case_Study.pdf
[4] SOAR Student Ambassador Program. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.soarstudentambassador.com/about-us/
- The newly enrolled Student Ambassadors at our university, including Micky Jordan, Brandi Kamablov, and others who have degrees in Graphic Design, Illustration, or Digital Media, will continue to contribute to the university's development by also focusing on education-and-self-development and learning, such as being part of the Mental Health University Ambassador Program to enhance mental health awareness and support.
- The ongoing involvement of the Student Ambassadors will not only improve institutional branding but also aid in the peer mentoring and fostering digital confidence within business education contexts, as they will guide fellow students in enhancing their digital literacy and effectively promoting ethical reflection.
