IDEA Ambassadors

Feeling at home is the goal. You can help. The primary focus of the IDEA Ambassadors is to connect our residential students to the resources on campus, create programming focused on equity and inclusion, and proactive education supporting inclusion across our communities.

IDEA Ambassadors build belonging and connection in their residence halls by:

• Connect others with Student Affairs Identity Advocacy offices, academic college multicultural leaders, students clubs and organizations and Student Disability Resources

It takes us all to make a change. Connect with the team around you to feel supported in your efforts, grow a network of other ambassadors across our residential communities and be an active member of the team.

Ambassadors collaborate with Residence Life and campus partners to:

• Participate in weekly Residence Life staff meetings in their area along with Resident Assistants
• Attend biweekly staff meetings with your supervisor
• Connect with area and resident hall governments
• Make referrals to University agencies when appropriate

It takes all of us to make a difference, and it starts here. The IDEA Ambassador role is your opportunity to join a supportive team and help foster a campus community where everyone feels they belong.

Ambassadors help create respectful, inclusive spaces by:

• Grow Your Connections: Develop a strong network of fellow ambassadors and mentors within the Residence Life team.
• Make a Tangible Impact: Provide essential support to your peers, guide them to university resources, and be a leader in creating a safe and aware campus environment.
• Become a Community Advocate: Engage directly with student government to champion the needs and ideas of residents.

• IDEA Ambassador training before the start of every Fall and Spring semester for the duration of your time as an IDEA Ambassador.
• IDEA Ambassador-specific staff meetings and Resident Assistant supervisory group (RA SuperGroup) staff meetings, alternating every Wednesday, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
• A scheduled 1-on-1 with your Graduate Assistant supervisor at least every two weeks.

• Committing to your IDEA Ambassador role as a top priority and managing time accordingly
• Facilitating educational dialogue with residential students and Resident Asistants around social, cultural, academic, and personal growth.
• Engaging with other IDEA Ambassador peers in a committee to advance the IDEA Ambassador and Residence Life Mission, Vision, and Educational Priority
  • Examples of committees from the 2025-2026 academic year include Assessment, Area Government Liaison, Historian, Marketing and Outreach, Morale, Research and Understanding
• Maintaining a high level of visibility in your community with Visibility Hours, around 6 hours weekly
• Completing a weekly report log of your activities during the week
  • Examples of areas within the weekly report log include Community and Residential Engagement, Supergroup Sessions, Professional Development, Visibility Hours tracking, and questions for your next 1-on-1.
• Participating in at least one tabling event every semester depending on area needs.
• Assisting in the IDEA Ambassador Selection process for new IDEA Ambassador staff between semesters.
• Working with a diverse population and meeting specific needs posed by the community.

• IDEA Ambassadors are always encouraged to be involved on campus in groups, organizations, etc. Attendance and participation in these groups is secondary to the IDEA Ambassador role and time commitments will be worked out individually with your supervisor.
• IDEA Ambassadors are permitted to work up to 15 hours outside of their IDEA Ambassador role with the prior approval of their supervisor. This is to be considered secondary to the IDEA Ambassador role which must take priority.

This is a live-on position with where high visibility and engagement in the residence hall community is required. Your time away from the residence halls should be cleared with your supervisor prior to leaving.