Program Description

In fulfilling its mission statement, the TRIO Ambassador Program encourages the active participation of its students in helping to achieve the program’s goal of increasing retention and graduation rates of first generation students, low-income students and students with disabilities.

The purpose of the TRIO Ambassador Program is to provide a select number of TRIO students with experience in leadership, mentoring, event planning, project management, group facilitation, and professionalism while making a positive impact on other program participants.

Minimum Requirements and Expectations

The ambassador is required and expected to:

  • Be a full-time student and have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA
  • Have participated in the TRIO program for at least one academic year
  • Have good verbal communication skills, including excellent listening skills
  • Have good time-management and organizational skills
  • Have respect for diversity and a willingness to learn about other cultures
  • Be a team player with a good sense of humor, and an enthusiastic and professionally attitude
  • Arrive on time to all scheduled meetings and events or notify TRIO staff of any conflicts It is also the responsibility of the ambassador to reschedule any missed meetings in a timely manner
  • Have computer skills in Microsoft word, excel, power point, and social media
  • Work at least 10 hours a week during the academic year
  • Complete a paid eight week program during the summer

The ambassador will gain practical experience in a professional work setting to learn and build the following leadership skills:

  1. Establish principles concerning the way people (fellow students, student groups, teachers, and advisors) should be treated and the way goals should be pursued. They create standards of excellence and then set an example for others to follow. (Model the Way)
  2. Create an ideal and unique image of what the group, team, or organization can be. (Inspire a Shared Vision)
  3. Search for opportunities by experimenting, taking risks, and learning from mistakes. (Challenge the Process)
  4. Foster collaboration and build spirited teams. (Enable Others to Act)
  5. Recognize the contributions that individuals make. (Encourage the Heart)

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) will be assessed using:

  • The Student Leadership Practices Inventory which measures the frequency with which students engage in 30 distinct behaviors that are the foundation of The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® that include the following: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart.