Ambassadors of Change Program
Serving to Learn—Learning to Lead—Leading to Serve
Ambassadors of Change is an 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.
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 $325 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. The Office of Service & Community Engagement is able to waive participant fees for five (5) students. To be considered, you must qualify for a Pell Grant and/or an Indiana State Grant.
Applications
Participation in the 2024 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 Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 11:00 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 $325 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 317-940-9262 or via ambassadorsofchange@butler.edu.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @ambassadorsofchange_bu
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Monday, August 19–Saturday, August 24, 2024
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 Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 11:00 PM 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.
The cost of the 2024 program is $325.
Yes—The Office Service & Community Engagement is able to waive participant fees for five (5) 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 19.
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 19, 2024.
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.
Ambassadors of Change is a pre-Orientation program. All new students including transfer and commuter students are required to participate in the New Student Orientation from Saturday, August 24 through Tuesday, August 27. The first day of classes is Wednesday, August 28.
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 317-940-9262.