Faculty of Science Student Ambassadors Program

Introduction

Joining the Faculty of Science (FoS) Student Ambassadors Program is a great way for students in the Faculty to engage in various events and activities. By being part of the FoS Student Ambassadors Program, students can learn new skills that are useful for their future careers and connect with other people in the Faculty and beyond.

Teams

Under this program are three teams in which students can participate: 

• Experiential learning ambassador team. This team is responsible for helping run poster sessions and conferences, helping organize and deliver research information, career sessions and or technical or transferable skills workshops. 
• Communications ambassador team. This team is responsible for creating inspiring communications and creative content for social media and other communications programs. 
• Community engagement ambassador team. This team is responsible for delivering science outreach activities during events such as homecoming and open house.

Students can participate in more than one team and can enrol in other teams at any time.

The benefits of participating in the FoS Student Ambassadors Program include: 

• The opportunity to network with other students, staff and faculty
• Learning new and working on transferrable skills (for example leadership, public speaking, time management, etc.)
• The cumulative hours of volunteering which are tracked annually and students are recognized at the end of each academic year

Award levels and their benefits

As volunteering takes time, the students are recognized with different award levels for their commitment. The cumulative hours of volunteering are sorted according to various award levels.

• Explorer: 20 cumulative hours
• Adventurer: 50 cumulative hours
• Visionary: 75 cumulative hours
• Trailblazer: 100 cumulative hours

The cumulative hours are the total hours volunteered for the period (May to April) regardless of which team it is for.

To join the FoS Student Ambassadors Program, students need to fill out an online application form and express their interest. The applications will be evaluated, and the successful candidates will be informed about their admission to the team. The candidates are added to a UM Learn course where they will complete a training session and after completing it, they will be able to access a discussion forum for their team, where opportunities will be posted. The volunteer hours will be counted at the end of each term and certificates of recognition will be awarded in the spring. Ambassadors will be able to volunteer for different events and roles while still being under the umbrella of the FoS Student Ambassadors Program.

Timeline

Applications are open year-round.

• There is no deadline for application. Students can apply year-round.
• Volunteer selection will be completed twice a month.
• Volunteer training on UM Learn is available immediately following volunteer selection.
• Volunteer hours are calculated by the end of May.

Required training

Once accepted into the FoS Student Ambassadors Program, students must complete the training modules listed below before volunteering in the teams:

1. Experiential Learning Ambassador team
   • Respectful Work and Learning Environment (RWLE) Policy
   • Accessibility Training
2. Communications Ambassador team
   • Respectful Work and Learning Environment (RWLE) Policy
   • Accessibility Training
3. Community Engagement Ambassador team
   • Respectful Work and Learning Environment (RWLE) Policy
   • Accessibility Training

Eligibility

• Students must be in good academic standing.
• Students must be in a Faculty of Science undergraduate or graduate program at UM in any year of study.

Application process

• Students must complete the online application form
• Applications are assessed twice a month and students will be notified if they have been admitted into the FoS Student Ambassadors Program.
• The Faculty of Science's community outreach lead is responsible for admitting volunteers into the FoS Student Ambassadors Program. The associate dean (student experience) reserves the authority to not admit and/or dismiss volunteers from the FoS Student Ambassadors Program.

If faculty members and instructors require volunteers to help with activities, (such as conferences, poster sessions, social media, etc.) please complete the online form a minimum of three weeks in advance of your activity.

For more information about the FoS Student Ambassador Program, please contact the program staff at fosambassadors@umanitoba.ca.