University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UWM Campus Ambassador Position Description

Department of Recruitment and Outreach and Department of Enrollment Services 2009-2010

Purpose

• To better connect new first year students to UWM during New Freshman Orientation programs.
• To provide positive mentoring to new first year students throughout the academic year.
• To provide student perspective and leadership in shaping UWM campus initiatives.
• To represent the best of UWM at on and off-campus UWM sponsored activities and functions.
• To develop a sense of UWM community and pride and contribute to campus spirit.

Overview

UWM Campus Ambassadors (CAs) are a prestigious group of students who are recognized and called upon for their leadership and contributions to the life and culture of the University. Students participate in a variety of campus activities, initiatives, and mentoring designed to better shape the direction and goals of UWM, its schools and colleges and other campus units.

There are three main components to the Campus Ambassador program. The first component of being a UWM Campus Ambassador is welcoming and acclimating new freshmen students to the campus during New Freshman Orientation programs. The New Freshman Orientation Leader position of the Campus Ambassador program will welcome new freshmen throughout these programs. While at New Freshman Orientation, these student leaders will work to accomplish their goals through leading small group discussions, assisting students with the PAWS registration system, and helping them find classroom locations. New Freshman Orientation Leaders will also welcome the parents of new freshmen and inform them about student life at UWM. Through a variety of experiences and opportunities, New Freshman Orientation Leaders have the power to make a positive and lasting difference in the UWM community AND develop great leadership and resume-building skills in the process.

The second and third components to the Campus Ambassador program extend beyond the summer to the following academic year. Both the First Year Center Mentors and the LINKS Mentors focus on providing continual mentoring and programming to engage first year students and multicultural students. Students who engage with the academic and social aspects of college are much more successful and satisfied with their college experience than those who do not. And a very effective way to help first year first year students engage is through mentoring and support activities. UWM is committed to providing active mentoring to all of its freshmen students throughout their freshmen year and beyond. As a First Year Center Mento and/or LINKS Mentors, you will be an integral part of this mentoring process at UWM. You will work with your freshmen students and the FYC staff to accomplish goals set by UWM and the Director and the Assistant Director of the FYC to help build a better campus community and lasting relationships between new freshmen and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

UWM Campus Ambassadors are individuals who possess a keen desire to contribute to campus and the University. If you are someone who wants to help shape the future of UWM, consider applying to join this select group of individuals!

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Campus Ambassador role at UWM will encompass three different positions. You can be involved as a Campus Ambassador at UWM by fitting one, two, or all three of these roles. Read on for more details about all three of these Campus Ambassador positions.

New Freshman Orientation Leader -

Responsibilities may include:

• Leading a group of incoming new freshmen through orientation events.
• Conducting icebreakers and other exercises during orientation to help participants meet each other and develop a sense of connection to the UWM campus.
• Promoting and leading group discussions on programmed topics.
• Answering fundamental questions about UWM and positively present UWM to all orientation participants.
• Managing group members during formally organized portions of the orientation program and successfully guide groups to various locations and program points throughout the day.
• Aiding students in locating classrooms and other areas of campus.
• Serving as a friendly role model for all orientation participants.
• Participating in required training activities (see qualifications for specific dates).
• Being prompt, prepared and positive at all times. Keep staff informed of any and all problems.
• Performing other orientation duties as assigned (check-in, check-out, set up, etc.).
• Demonstration of PAWS system to students as needed.
• Informing students about academic and financial dates and deadlines.
• Assisting academic advising staff with various registration tasks.
• Leading groups of parents in discussions about college life.
• Speaking to groups of parents about college life
• Giving tours of campus as needed.
• Assisting in general tasks as needed.

IMPORTANT: To be considered as a Campus Ambassador, you MUST be fully available for:

• A group interview. Group interviews will be held February 11-13, 2009.
• Individual interviews to be held February 23-27, 2009.
• New CA Class. Need to attend Group A or Group B sessions:
  
• • Group A: 6 Tuesdays from 5-7 pm starting on March 24, 2009.
  • Group B: 6 Fridays from 3-5 pm starting on March 27, 2009.
    
• New Freshman Orientation Leader training May 26 & 27, 2009.
• First Year Center and LINKS Mentor Training August 24-26, 2009.
• New Freshman Orientation Leaders will be required to work the vast majority of the 19 New Freshman Orientation programs in the summer of 2009. Programs are full day events beginning around 7:45 a.m. and ending around 5:30 p.m (working hours may vary). Specific dates will be given during the interview process.
  

First Year Center Mentors -

• Serve as mentors to assigned new freshmen (5 hours per week in FYC, 3 hours per week outside of FYC. Paid for 8 hours per week)
• • Contact each assigned student, preferably individually, at least once every two weeks
  • Plan at least one face-to-face meeting with each mentee per semester
  • Plan at least one event for all mentees once per semester
  • Log successful correspondences with mentees and notes on Cattracks
• Complete a Weekly Production Log each week relaying what you accomplished during your paid time
• Assist with the planning, development and implementation of a follow-up survey conducted with all first year students
• Assist with the planning, development and implementation of programming at the First-Year Center. Assist and attend at least 10 programs per semester.
• Attend all staff meetings as scheduled
• Present First Year Center services and programs to freshman level courses.
• Refer students to other UWM campus services.
• Assist with promotion of the First Year Center through verbal, print and web based media.
• Initiate contact with prospective new freshmen during calling campaigns
• Complete at least 5 volunteer events per semester with the Department of Recruitment and Outreach or other departments
• Market the Campus Ambassador position for the 2009-2010 hiring campaign
• Other duties as assigned

LINKS Staff -

• Serve as mentors to assigned multicultural students (8 hours per week in LINKS, 2 hours per week outside of LINKS. Paid for total of 10 hours per week.)
• • Contact each assigned student, preferably individually, at least once every two weeks
  • Plan at least one face-to-face meeting with each mentee per semester
  • Plan at least one event for all mentees once per semester
  • Log successful correspondences with mentees and notes on Cattracks
• Complete a Weekly Production Log each week relaying what you accomplished during your paid time
• Assist with the planning, development and implementation of a follow-up survey conducted with all first year students
• Assist with the planning, development and implementation of programming for LINKS. Assist and attend at least 10 programs per semester.
• Attend all staff meetings as scheduled
• Refer students to other UWM campus services.
• Assist with promotion of LINKS through verbal, print and web based media.
• Initiate contact with prospective new freshmen during calling campaigns
• Complete at least 5 volunteer events per semester with the Department of Recruitment and Outreach
• Market the Campus Ambassador position for the 2009-2010 hiring campaign
• Other duties as assigned

• Returning UWM students who expect to be enrolled as a sophomore or higher standing during the Fall 2008 term are eligible to apply
• Preferred 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher (4.0 scale)
• • Students with higher GPAs will be given hiring preference
• Demonstrated desire to contribute to UWM campus life
• Demonstrated sense of responsibility, dependability, and work ethic
• A pleasant, positive and friendly personality, attitude and demeanor
• Self-confidence
• Communication skills, CAs should be effective communicators and be able to address sensitive topics on behalf of the university
• An understanding and sensitivity for issues related to gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion or ability
• The ability to contribute to a positive working climate at all times.
• Experience in giving presentations
• • Can be classroom, work or volunteer experience
• General/working knowledge of UWM and its resources
• • Additional training will be provided on all UWM has to offer!
• Leadership qualities, prior experience leading groups is a plus
• Lots of energy and enthusiasm!

Campus Ambassador Compensation

• Pay to be competitive and commensurate with experience and your specific position(s) in the Campus Ambassador program
• Leadership training
• Opportunities to be involved in high-level campus projects, serve on campus committees, participate in panels, provide student feedback and input on campus initiatives, meet and greet visitors
• Recognition throughout the campus community as a student leader and member of a prestigious student organization

Application Deadline

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online by Feb. 2, 2009 to the First Year Center at www.campusambassadors.uwm.edu; click on “Application Form.”

Applicants must also attend group, individual interviews and submit two forms of recommendation. The first form MUST be from an academic dean, professor or advisor. The second form may be from an academic dean, professor, advisor or another PROFESSIONAL reference. NOTE: TAs, other undergraduate students, former Campus Ambassadors or family members are NOT acceptable references.

Recommendation forms must be downloaded from the Campus Ambassador Web site: download a Recommendation Form.

For off-campus references, applicants may hand deliver the form in a sealed and signed envelope or may provide their reference with a self-addressed stamped envelope address to:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
First Year Center
Attn: CA Selection
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI, 53201

UWM is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer