Applications Available for Ambassadors for Inclusive Excellence Student Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 4, 2019) — The University of Kentucky Office for Institutional Diversity (OID) and the International Center are now accepting applications for the Ambassadors for Inclusive Excellence Student Program. This program allows students to hold an active leadership role on campus creating a dialogue surrounding diversity, inclusion and belonging, increasing students’ awareness of and respect for cultural similarities and differences.

“The UK International Center is delighted to be partnering with OID, and specifically the Martin Luther King Center, to start this innovative program,” said Sue Roberts, associate provost for internationalization. “It is a wonderful opportunity for aspiring student leaders from diverse backgrounds, both in the U.S. and in other countries, to come together to gain knowledge and experience. Students will learn from each other and deepen their understandings of complex and important issues relating to how we can all work to respect one another and make the campus a place where everyone can truly feel 'at home.'”

Designed for students who aspire to assist the university in fulfilling its mission of creating an inclusive campus environment, ambassadors will develop opportunities for students to actively engage in advancing diversity, equality and inclusion. The program provides avenues for diverse students to provide peer training specific to inclusive excellence and host related programming throughout the campus community.

Committed to enhancing the rich and diverse tapestry of the student experience, ambassadors will play a vital role on campus uniting students of all backgrounds.

“Research shows the best outcomes are directly associated with partnerships that include people with diverse identities and perspectives," said Sonja Feist-Price, vice president of institutional diversity. "This is exactly what we aim to achieve with domestic and international students who participate in the Ambassadors for Inclusive Excellence Program. OID and the International Center share a common goal of creating a community of belonging for our students, realizing that such belonging impacts retention and academic success. I am extremely excited about this program, and I salute the Martin Luther King Center for bringing this very important program to fruition.”

Ambassadors will be trained by the several offices on campus that play a key role in inclusive excellence, using this knowledge to further expand their learning around campus resources that are vital to the student experience.

Through the program, students will also learn the importance and function of diversity, implicit/unconscious bias and prejudice reduction methods and strategies and will be equipped to act as peer consultants/mediators in instances of bias and/or prejudice among students.

Eligible students will:

• have a minimum grade-point average of 2.75; 
• have strong communication skills, written and verbal;
• be a positive, productive team member; 
• demonstrate outstanding leadership skills; 
• exhibit strong interpersonal skills (must be highly motivated, energetic, dependable and knowledgeable); 
• be willing to participate in occasional evening and weekend activities; 
• be willing to present to classes, student organizations, staff meetings and other requested groups on or off campus; 
• value and be able to communicate with diverse individuals; and 
• have a positive attitude, enthusiasm and passion for the University of Kentucky.

The deadline for application is Friday, April 19, and applications can be turned in to the Martin Luther King Center.  

There will be a two-part application process consisting of an application/recommendation letter and an interview. The selection committee will consist of persons from offices representing diverse constituents.  

The first round of applicants will be screened, and applications reviewed April 23-26. The second round of the selection process will be interviews on April 29 and 30. After interviews and deliberation, ambassadors will be selected and notified by May 1.  

For more information on the program, please contact the Martin Luther King Center at 859-257-4130. To fill out an application, click here.