Ambassadors
About the Ambassador Program
The College of Science (COS) Ambassadors are student volunteers who promote scientific inquiry and the programs and opportunities in the College of Science. As of the 2007-2008 school year, there are two types of Ambassadors: Outreach Ambassadors and Public Relations Ambassadors.
Outreach Ambassadors
Outreach Ambassadors promote the love and learning of science in young people by working with K-12 students in a variety of on and off-campus events, demonstrating scientific concepts and leading students in fun, hands-on science experiments.
Becoming an Outreach Ambassador
Outreach Ambassadors must commit to take a 2-credit course in Winter term to learn the tools and skills to lead science activities with young students. (Students who have already registered for a full course load and are worried about paying for extra credits may still attend the course Winter Term without formally registering for it.) Additionally, Outreach Ambassadors will volunteer at some of the Science Outreach events in Winter and Spring terms, including but not limited to Discovery Days and Family Science Nights. Internship credit is available.
To apply to become a College of Science Outreach Ambassador, please contact Margie Haak at marjie.haak@oregonstate.edu
Public Relations Ambassadors
The Public Relations Ambassadors serve as liaisons between the college and prospective students and their families.
Their main responsibility is to provide general information about the different departments in the college as well as answer questions about student life on campus; lend their assistance at on and off-campus recruiting events; assist in COS outreach activities; and represent the COS student body when meeting with alumni and the Board of Visitors.
Public Relations Ambassadors must commit to take a 1-credit course in Spring Term to learn the tools and skills necessary to become effective Ambassadors. (Students who have already registered for a full course load and are worried about paying for extra credits may still attend the Spring Term course without formally registering for it.)
Students with strong interpersonal skills, initiative, leadership ability, and a desire to promote the College of Science are encouraged to apply. Applications are due February 19, 2010 at 128 Kidder Hall; selected candidates will be invited to interview on the evenings of March 3rd or 4th. Application (pdf)
Becoming a Public Relations Ambassador
Public Relations Ambassadors are selected in Winter Term and receive training in the Spring Term. Individual interviews are scheduled and conducted by current Ambassadors and overseen by the Ambassador Coordinator. In the Spring Term, Ambassadors attend 1.5 hours per week training course (every Wednesday: 5:15 pm - 6:45 pm), facilitated by the coordinator. Information covered to include, but not limited to:
- University - Financial Aid, Study Abroad, Student Support Services, Career Services
- College of Science - knowledge about departments, their clubs, job opportunities, and more is acquired through students' research and interviews
- Recruitment - review events and assign responsibilities
Students are expected to attend the Spring 2010 training class and serve as an Ambassador beginning Fall 2010 and continuing through Spring 2011. The time commitment involved varies throughout the year, but Ambassadors can anticipate serving approximately 60-90 hours in total, including the time engaged in the training course.
Benefits of Being a COS Ambassador
- Prestige associated with serving on a team of highly motivated and respected undergraduates.
- Opportunity to network with university administrators, faculty, industry professionals, and the community.
- Chance to positively contribute to the college’s student-recruitment efforts and to the community’s perception of, and interest in, science.
- Valuable work and leadership experience to include on resumes and to discuss during interviews.
More Information
For more information about The College of Science Ambassadors, please contact:
Miranda Smith
128 Kidder Hall
541.737.8061
mail to: Miranda.smith@oregonstate.edu