ABOUT KSU’S AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE INITIATIVE
The KSU African American Male Initiative exists in partnership with faculty, staff and students to focus on increasing enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of Black men at Kennesaw State University (KSU) through mentoring, leadership development, and the celebration of academic and leadership achievements. It is housed within Multicultural Student Retention Services (MSRS).

Continue to the KSU AAMI Ambassador Program Application

ABOUT THE KSU AAMI AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The purpose of this program is to identify current leaders and potential leaders (not to exceed 10 individuals per distinction) among the African American male population at KSU who are able to serve as effective peer leaders and key ambassadors at any event that serve the interests of African American males both on and off campus. Leaders selected to participate in this program must demonstrate proficiencies in academic performance, leadership development, and community service. Members of the ambassador program will be invited to participate in conferences, networking events, leadership excursions, assist the KSU AAMI Graduate Research Assistants with implementation of programs, publicize various programs, and provide community service through mentoring and other civic engagement opportunities. Additionally, these members will be required to provide support at events affiliated with MSRS. Each ambassador will have the opportunity to be matched with a mentor to assist with academic, career, and personal development. Finally, Ambassadors will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the end-of-the-year Ambassador Induction Reception for those Ambassadors who have met the necessary requirements to become full-fledged Ambassadors.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

• Provide leadership experience for students and tangible support for AAMI functions.
• Positively affect the growth, retention, progression, and graduation of Black males through academic support, leadership development and community service.
• Offer special opportunities that allow participants to develop leadership and service potentials through mentorship, workshops, and programming.
• Build strong mentoring, professional, teamwork, and academic skills.
• Develop a community of service and social support for African American Males.
• Exposure to new learning experiences and civic opportunities.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE KSU AAMI AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: Selection for participation is contingent up on students’ ability to meet the following criteria (the participants will be chosen by members of the KSU AAMI Advisory Board):

• Black male student at KSU (priority consideration will be given to men in the KSU AAMI)
• Submission of a completed application, including essay questions
• No KSU disciplinary or conduct violations
• Demonstrated leadership in at least one line-item, registered student organization on campus, or at a previous institution
• A letter of recommendation from a faculty or administrative staff member at KSU on official letterhead. NOTE: Ambassadors-in-Training applicants who are freshmen or transfer students may obtain a letter from an official at their prior educational institution
• Verification of a minimum of 20 hours of community service project manager or supervisor on the agency’s official letterhead or form completed over the course of one year

INDIVIDUAL SELECTION CRITERIA/ELIGIBILITY

• Full-Fledged Ambassadors

• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
• Completion of a minimum of 30 hours at KSU
• Minimum of 20 hours community service

• Ambassadors- In- Training

• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above
• Freshmen may apply

FULL-FLEDGED AMBASSADOR RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Upon acceptance to this program, each ambassador will receive:

• Apparel to be worn at any events of interest to the KSU AAMI,
• Early academic registration,
• A $250 stipend at the end of fall and the end of spring semester upon the completion of an engagement at least 24 hours of active engagement (attending events and programs sponsored directed through AAMI)
• Upon active participation and completion of program, an official letter of reference and recommendation will be provided

• Ambassadors are required to:

• Participate in bi-weekly mentoring
• Attend at least 24 hours of sponsored AAMI programming
• Lead the development and implementation of the end-of-the-year Ambassador Induction Reception
• Participate in KSU People Mentoring program
• Participate in sponsored AAMI activities
• Participate in a personal and professional development plan

AMBASSADOR-IN-TRAINING RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Upon acceptance into this cohort, each ambassador will receive:

• Apparel to be worn at conferences or any events of interest to the KSU AAMI.
• Grandfathered into being a full-fledged ambassador upon completion of year of being an Ambassador-in-training and meeting all the requirements for full-fledged ambassadorship.
• Upon active participation and completion of program, an official letter of reference and recommendation will be provided

• Ambassadors are required to:

• Participated in bi-weekly mentoring
• Attend 24 hours of sponsored AAMI programming
  Participate in sponsored AAMI activities
• Participate in a personal and professional development plan

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Activities pertaining to the KSU AAMI will be provided throughout the entire academic year. Some activities are targeted to Ambassadors, Ambassadors-in-Training or both. These activities include (but are not restricted to) mentoring activities, travel to conference(s), attendance to community service hours at local partnering organization.

APPLICATION TASKS & TIMELINE

August 17-September 13, 2012
Applications are available via online
Applications are available September 6, 2012
Applications are due by September 13, 2012 in Room 263 of the Student Center

September 14-21, 2012
Interviews will be conducted and notifications disseminated

September-March
Attend information sessions devoted to participant development and training

TBA
Ambassador Orientation
 

Continue to the KSU AAMI Ambassador Program Application