UWM Campus Ambassador Position Description

Department of Recruitment and Outreach and Department of Enrollment Services 2007-2008

Purpose

• To better connect new freshman to UWM during New Freshman Orientation programs.
• To provide positive mentoring to new freshmen 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 Freshman Mentors and the First Year Staff focus on providing continual mentoring and programming to engage first year freshmen.  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 freshmen 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 Freshman Mentor and/or First Year Center Staff member, 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 FYC director 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 2008-2009 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.

NewFreshman 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 New Freshman Orientation Leader through the Campus Ambassador program, you MUST be fully available for:

• A group interview. Group interviews will be held during the spring semester.
• Individual interviews to be held as needed in the spring semester.
• Two spring semester New Freshman Orientation Leader meetings. The dates of these meeting will be determined by the first day of spring semester classes.
• New Freshman Orientation Leader training May 19, 2008– May 23, 2008
• New Freshman Orientation “Run Through Day” June 4^th, 2008.
• A mid-summer refresher training July 14^th, 2008.
• An end-of-summer meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2008.
• New Freshman Orientation Leaders will be required to work the vast majority of the 19 New Freshman Orientation programs in the summer of 2008. Programs are full day events beginning around 7:45 a.m. and ending around 5:30 p.m (working hours may vary). New Freshman Orientation Leaders must be able to work the entirety of each program. New Freshman Orientation Leader applicants should plan on being available on the following dates…
• • June 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 27, 28
  • July 15, 16, 18, 22, 25
  • August 5,8

Freshman Mentors -

Responsibilities may include:

• Connecting with new freshmen as a mentor via
• • Phone
  • Email
  • Face-to-Face
  • Other online P2P utilities
• Maintaining personal connections with assigned mentees through their first year at UWM.
• Working knowledge of the CatTracks database system
• Recording mentoring contacts, hours, and content in CatTracks
• Informing new freshmen about campus events, programs and workshops that they may find helpful and fun.
• Networking students with important resources and services and encouraging involvement in campus life.

FirstYear CenterStaff -

Responsibilities may include:

• Staffing the First Year Center
• Mentoring students who stop by the First Year Center
• Developing and facilitating academic and social activities in the FYC to meet the various needs of first year students.
• Serving as an Academic Coach to assist students in their academic work
• Informing new freshmen about campus events, programs and workshops that they may find helpful and fun.
• Working knowledge of the CatTracks database system
• Recording mentoring contacts, hours, and content in CatTracks
• Performing general office/clerical tasks

Campus Ambassador Minimum Qualifications

• 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. 15^th, 2008 to the Department of Recruitment and Outreach at www.campusambassadors.uwm.edu; click on “Application Form.”

Applicants must also attend group and 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

Department of Recruitment and Outreach

Attn: Tobiah Deutsch

P.O. Box 2174

Milwaukee, WI, 53201.

UWM is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer