Courtesy of Alex Williams
By Savannah Carr
Members of the program call themselves the “cream of the crop.” But what do USF ambassadors really do?
According to the USF St. Petersburg website, the university system identified a need to increase student visibility to alumni both on campus and in the community. In 1979, the student ambassadors program was founded. Participants speak at high-profile activities, network with alumni and donors and help brand the Alumni Association at all three campuses.
Additionally, a USF ambassador serves as “a link between the student body, alumni and community.”
Now, they’re seeking the next cohort of ambassadors. Applications are open until Jan. 27.
“I became an ambassador so I can show others my school spirit and how much I love the university,” senior Daniel Ciccia said.
Any student who has been enrolled at USF for a year can apply. The only requirements are a 2.7 GPA and full-time enrollment. Once you are an ambassador, you are required to complete 10 hours of ambassador work a semester.
“I would definitely suggest to apply because it helps you really give back to your university,” said Alex Williams, ambassador president. “Freshmen and sophomores should apply because they are the ones who love university the most since they are brand new to the school.”
Applicants are subject to multiple interviews, including being able to answer questions from the Book of Bull, a 104-page guide containing “everything you need to know about the traditions of the University of South Florida.”
“There are three rounds of interviews,” Williams said. “The first one is a group interview. If you make it past the first interview, you move on to an individual interview with the ambassador president, our director of marketing and selections, and our adviser, Evan McCullough.”
If a candidate makes it through, they’ll go on to a one-on-one interview with the USF system president, according to Williams.
While it is not a paid position, there are scholarships specifically for the ambassadors.
Plus, at events on and off campus, Williams said ambassadors have the chance to network with a variety of people — leading to more connections for internships, jobs and other opportunities.
“Some professors that I met (while) being an ambassador helped take me under their wing and help me career-wise,” Williams said. “I found internships because of ambassadors.”
The link for the application can be found on the “USFSP Ambassadors” Facebook page.
This story was updated on Jan. 20 to correct the GPA requirement at USF St. Petersburg. Originally, it said 2.9, but that is the USF Tampa’s GPA requirement. St. Petersburg’s is 2.7.
