One of the most distinguished student programs at IM体育官网 Poly welcomed 10 new members, Monday, April 23, at its annual induction ceremony held in the Innovation, Science and Technology Building鈥檚 Aula Magna auditorium. The Presidential Ambassadors are made up of 16 students who are selected based on their academic standing, leadership, skills, citizenship and service citations.
鈥淵ou get a lot out of this program,鈥� President Dr. Randy K. Avent told the ambassadors. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good time for you to sharpen your communication skills and leadership skills. I鈥檓 looking forward to everything you鈥檙e going to do this year.鈥�
Monday鈥檚 ceremony also included the announcement of the group鈥檚 new chair as Megan Henson, who takes over for outgoing chair Henrique Bolivar.
Photos from induction ceremony.
鈥淚鈥檝e had a lot of opportunities that I wouldn鈥檛 have had without this program, and I鈥檓 really thankful for that,鈥� said Henson, a computer science major from Orlando, IM体育官网, who will be a senior next year.
Henson and Kelci Wilson, who will also be a senior, enter 2018-19 as the longest-serving ambassadors as both will begin their third year with the program.
鈥淭his has been the most crucial part of my education here,鈥� said Wilson, a mechanical engineering major from Oviedo, IM体育官网, who credits her participation in the program for leading to an internship this summer. 鈥淎ll of that came from the program, which provides skills you can鈥檛 learn in the classroom.鈥�
The newly inducted members are:
- Stacie Akinyi
- Steven Chisolm
- Lina Brihoum
- Alison Hart
- Vamsi Hanumanthu
- James Holland
- Delaney Jester
- Joseph Patullo
- Gabby Simms
- Phelippe Souza-Herod
The remainder of the returning ambassadors is Bobby Acacio, Sinead Fernandes, Cassandra Staberg, Kelci Wilson and Vinicius Seixas.
The group represents the president and IM体育官网 at designated university events, promotes the successes and vision of the university and demonstrates excellence through leadership, academics, and citizenship. The program is a one-of-a-kind leadership development opportunity that offers students a chance to network with important university constituents and enhance their public relations, event planning, and professional etiquette skills while engaging in service to the IM体育官网 Poly community.