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SPHIS Student Ambassador Program
UofL SPHIS ambassadors serve as positive role models for new, current, and prospective students. Ambassadors have a commitment to helping the UofL SPHIS community grow and thrive. Ambassadors draw on their personal experiences to tell their story and highlight the opportunities and benefits of a UofL SPHIS education. They are exemplary leaders who support recruitment, enrollment, and retention for the school, promote student engagement, increase awareness of college services and programs, foster pride in the Cardinal community, and act as liaisons between UofL SPHIS and the community.
Meet the school’s 2024-25 Ambassadors (pictured left to right) 
-- Romith Paily, Senior, BS in Public Health
-- Sarah Baker, Junior, BA in Public Health
-- Anika Mehta, PhD student, Health Management & Policy
-- Alyssa Kearney, PhD student, Health Prom. & Behavioral Sciences
-- Anvi Tawde, Senior, BS in Public Health
-- Sarah Belcher, Senior, BS in Public Health
-- Olufunmilayo ( Funmi ) Babarinde, PhD candidate, Epidemiology
-- Tristan Ferguson, MPH student (Epidemiology concentration)
-- Ankita Kashyab, Junior, BA in Public Health (Pre-Health track)
Purpose
The UofL SPHIS Ambassadors represent the school at various events and opportunities throughout the academic year. They provide prospective and currently enrolled students first-hand information about UofL SPHIS. In sharing their experiences, ambassadors hope to ease the transition of a new student into life at the university and share with them the many wonderful opportunities that await.
UofL SPHIS Ambassadors are among the most enthusiastic, involved, and passionate members of the UofL community. Students interested in joining the program submit an application, and selected applicants are invited to an interview. Student Ambassadors also complete the necessary program training and background check process.
Benefits
Ambassadors also receive professional development and training that equips them to represent UofL SPHIS at events, on social media, and more. They are awarded $500 scholarships at the end of each semester after meeting the minimum program involvement of four activities per semester. Ambassadors can earn up to $1,500 per year in scholarship funding. Additional benefits include:
-- Receive swag including a polo shirt and official name tag.
-- Develop valuable leadership skills.
-- Enhance your resume.
-- Work closely with UofL SPHIS faculty and staff.
-- Build your professional network.
-- Participate in training opportunities.
-- Enhance communication, interpersonal, organizational, public speaking and problem solving skills.
-- Build lasting friendships with your fellow Student Ambassadors and current students.
-- Enjoy special Student Ambassador social events and regular meetings.
-- There may be volunteer travel opportunities.
-- Represent UofL SPHIS at conferences and events.
-- Make a difference in the lives of prospective students!
Student Ambassador Responsibilities
-- Attend a required training session in August and Student Ambassador meetings.
-- Be listed as an SPHIS Student Ambassador on our website.
-- Participate in a minimum of 4 in person and/or virtual events per semester.
-- Find ways to improve the prospective and current student experience throughout the school.
-- Maintain the minimum required GPA.
-- Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours a semester.
-- Work with diverse student populations.
-- Give tours and make presentations to students, families, and community.
-- Assist SPHIS Student Services team at various new and current student events.
-- Speak at UofL SPHIS events as needed.
-- Weekly rotation of virtual “student chat” (chat with an ambassador).
-- Act as a student representative on various committees.
-- Be a visible student representative during Welcome Week and other university wide events.
-- Assist at the Graduation Awards Ceremony and Commencement.
Student Ambassador Deliverables
-- Participate in a minimum of 4 in person and/or virtual events per semester with individual reflections.
-- Produce two written or multimedia items (1 individual and 1 group), per semester, which may be used for the UofL SPHIS newsletter, website, or social media, pending review by Communications & Marketing.
-- Provide and end-of-semester brief documenting engagement with prospective students, reflections, and recommendations.
Student Ambassador Roles
-- Greeter – Be the welcoming face at an event by hosting the sign in table or showing people where to go.
-- Resource – Answer questions from prospective students/families, current students/ families, UofL campus and community partners about UofL and SPHIS.
-- Tour Guide - Introduce prospective students and families to the facilities and opportunities that UofL provides, tell them about life as a college student in Louisville, and share your personal experiences as a SPHIS student.
-- Mingler – Speak one-on-one and share your UofL story with prospective students and families at events, information sessions, recruitment opportunities and tours. Create a welcoming atmosphere for visiting families through casual conversation.
-- Panelist – Highlight your SPHIS program experiences during panel discussions at events. The panel discussions are intended to provide information informally through the panelists’ answers to questions posed by the moderator or the audience. Discussions could be based around topics related to public health, coursework, and research.
-- Peer Support – Provide lived experience to current students to champion advocacy and support their academic journey.
What is the time commitment of a Student Ambassador?
- Student ambassador events take place on weekdays, weeknights, and weekends.
- The typical time commitment for ambassadors is 8-10 hours a month.
- The time commitment will vary based on the time of year.
Student Outcomes
-- Ambassadors will effectively communicate their experience as a public health student.
-- Ambassadors will actively engage in recruitment opportunities and other events.
-- Ambassadors will self-report increased competence in leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
-- Ambassadors with two or more semesters of service will be eligible for a graduation cord and Certificate of Service as part of the Graduation Awards ceremony.
-- Ambassadors with one semester of service will be eligible for a Certificate of Service as part of the Graduation Awards ceremony.
Ambassador Supervision
Ambassadors will be advised and supervised year-round by members of the SPHIS Student Services team. Team members will be responsible for the recruitment, application review, and training process of the ambassadors in addition to sustaining the group over time. Additional support from SPHIS faculty and staff may be necessary on a situational basis.
Applications
Current students will receive information about the application process during the spring semester.
Application requirements include:
-- Application
-- Resume
-- Unofficial transcript
-- Leadership statement
-- Interview
Minimum Requirements
-- Undergraduate students must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework and have a 3.0 GPA.
-- Graduate students must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework and have a 3.25 GPA.
-- Enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester while serving.
-- Have strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
-- Commit to one full academic year of service.
-- Students may serve no more than two academic years without approval.
Questions
Contact sphisss@louisville.edu
