Ambassadors of Change Program
Serving to Learn—Learning to Lead—Leading to Serve
Ambassadors of Change is a fun, interactive, pre-orientation program which focuses on service to the community and leadership skill development. Incoming Butler student participants (Ambassadors) will be introduced to the campus and local community through meaningful service experiences, dynamic educational opportunities, and entertaining activities throughout the week.
The 2026 Ambassadors of Change program dates are Monday, August 17-Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Program Highlights:
- Volunteering daily with a variety of local community organizations
- Reflecting on the meaning of service
- Connecting with community leaders
- Social interactions with other Butler students
- Interacting with Butler student leaders (Teambuilders)
- Getting to know the city of Indianapolis
Cost
The cost of the program is $375 per person. The fee includes all meals, transportation associated with the program (e.g. transportation to and from service sites), and other costs throughout the program (t-shirt, off-campus entertainment activities, etc.). The Office of Service & Community Engagement is able to waive participant fees for four (4) students. To be considered, you must qualify for a Pell Grant and/or an Indiana State Grant.
Applications
Participation in the 2026 Ambassadors of Change program is limited to 60 students. This is a competitive process.
The application for Ambassadors of Change can be found here: Pre-Orientation Program Application Form
Please note, Applications close on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard. Applicants will be notified of their application status in late June.
Selection
Selection of participants is based on the answers on the application. If accepted into the program, you will be contacted via email. Payment of $375 must be received within one (1) week of acceptance email receipt. If payment is not received, your space will be given to someone on the waitlist.
Students who are not initially accepted will be placed on a waitlist. In the event that someone decides not to participate in the program, the selection committee will contact students on the waitlist.
Participation
Participants (Ambassadors) will be assigned to a small group led by returning student leaders (Teambuilder). Activities during the week will vary between small group and large group involvement.
Participation in all program activities is expected. Students in the Ambassadors of Change program will not be able to join other programs, practices, or meetings during the week (evenings included).
Questions/Comments
Please feel free to contact us at 317-940-6006 or via ambassadorsofchange@butler.edu.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @ambassadorsofchange_bu
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Any incoming Butler University student – this includes first-years, transfer students and commuters – who are interested in learning more about Indianapolis through the lens of service! No previous experience with service or community engagement is required. We hope all Ambassadors are excited and ready to explore the greater Indianapolis community and learn more about themselves in the process!
The application for Ambassadors of Change can be found here: Pre-Orientation Program Application Form
Please note, applications close on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 11:59PM Eastern Standard. Applicants will be notified of their application status late June.
Application responses are reviewed by the professional and student staff that oversee the Ambassadors of Change program. There are a limited number of spots, so answering the questions thoughtfully and honestly is important. This is a competitive process.
Don’t take our word for how great this program is, check out what past participants have said!
“I loved every moment of Ambassadors of Change. My most favorite experience was when all of us went to the Paramount School. It was really eye-opening and impactful to watch everyone working together as a team.”
“So many great things about Ambassadors of Change, how do I pick just one? My favorite service site was seeing behind the scenes of one of my favorite local restaurants, Cafe Patachou when we partnered with The Longer Table. They do such cool things in our community and teach kids about the importance of healthy food and providing access to it. My favorite social event of the week was definitely lip syncs! So fun and funny.”
“Ambassadors of Change taught me not only how to get involved in the community, but also how to step up as a leader and do what needs to be done. It taught me how to be more open about who I am and my experiences which I can definitely use in the future as a way help others and even become more of a leader and an active citizen.”
“After spending my first week with Ambassadors of Change, I knew I found my people here on campus. I’m still friends with those who were in my small group!”
The cost of the 2026 program is $375.
Yes—The Office Service & Community Engagement is able to waive participant fees for four (4) students. To be considered, applicants must qualify for a Pell Grant and/or an Indiana State Grant. Those interested will need to state this in the appropriate box on the online application.
Students will be sent a registration link and at that time they can pay online through that form. Payment for the program or an acceptance of a fee waiver (if applicable), will confirm your participation in the program.
No. The schedules of all of the Pre-Orientation programs are very full, so participation in multiple programs is not feasible.
Students selected for the Ambassadors of Change Program will be able to move into their assigned residence hall room. They will receive access to their assigned room when they check in for the program on the morning of Monday, August 17.
The Office of Residence Life will be in direct communication with residential students with room assignments. The Ambassadors of Change program coordinators will communicate directly with the Office of Residence Life with names of participants for approved early move-in.
Please note, commuter students will not stay on campus during the program. They will meet the group at Butler each morning and leave from campus at the end of each day.
Participants living on campus would move into their assigned residence hall room on Monday, August 17, 2026.
The short answer is: Have fun!
Ambassadors will receive a detailed schedule of the week’s events at check-in, but they can plan on daily service projects (usually about 3 hours long) that focus on a particular social issue. Teambuilders will lead small group reflections to process each day’s experiences. We will also have interactive opportunities that focus on learning about service and personal leadership styles throughout the week. We round out each day with a variety of awesome activities that allow Ambassadors and Teambuilders to get to know each other in social settings.
Yes! Attending all aspects of the program will make the experience more meaningful and will help tie concepts and ideas together. Ambassadors will be very busy, so please do not make other plans during the week of Ambassadors of Change.
Ambassadors of Change is a casual program, but “work” clothes that can get dirty will be needed for service project(s)—long pants and closed-toed sturdy shoes will be necessary for some projects. Work boots are not required. No open-toe shoes including flip flops will not be allowed on service projects for safety purposes and agency regulations.
There is a closing banquet which people usually get a little more dressed up for (business casual). Teambuilders will keep participants informed about appropriate dress for each day.
Clothes for service projects, a refillable water bottle, and a small drawstring bag is recommended. Not to mention, a flexible positive attitude goes a long way when meeting new people and serving the community!
Ambassadors of Change is a pre-Orientation program – meaning, participants get a head start on learning their way around campus, settling into their rooms, and meeting new friends all before New Student Orientation starts! All new students including transfer and commuter students are required to participate in the New Student Orientation from Saturday, August 22 through Tuesday, August 25. The first day of classes is Wednesday, August 26.
Families are welcome to come back to campus for orientation activities if they are able, though this is not required.
Questions can be directed to ambassadorsofchange@butler.edu or at 317-940-6006.