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 students 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 partners
Reflecting on the meaning of service
Connecting with community leaders
Social interactions with classmates
Interacting with Butler student leaders
Getting to know the city of Indianapolis

Cost

The cost of the program is $300 per person. The fee includes all meals, transportation and costs throughout the program. We do recommend that participants have extra spending money for evening activities. 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 2023 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 June 11, 2023 at 11:00 PM Eastern Standard. Applicants will be notified of their application status late June/early July, 2023.

Selection/Participation

Selection of participants is based on the answers on the application. If accepted into the program, you will be contacted via email. Payment of $300 must be received within 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.

Participants will be assigned to a small group led by two returning student leaders. 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 14–Saturday, August 19, 2023

Students are selected by their answers to the question on the application. There are 60 spots for participants, so answering the questions thoughtfully and honestly is important. This is a highly competitive process.

The cost of the 2023 program is $300.

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.

Checks should be made payable to “Butler University,” with Ambassadors of Change noted in the memo line. Money should not be sent until confirmation of acceptance into the program has been received.

Yes. Students will be sent a registration link and at that time they can pay online through that form.

The schedules of all of the Pre-Orientation programs are very full, so participation in multiple programs is not feasible.

Yes. Students selected for the Ambassadors of Change Program will be able to move into their assigned residence hall room when they check in for the program on the morning of Monday, August 14. Also, the program schedule includes evening activities that help get participants acclimated to Butler and to Indianapolis.

Yes! Attending all aspects of the program will make the experience more enjoyable and will help tie concepts and ideas together. Participants will be very busy, so please do not make other plans during the week of Ambassadors of Change.

Participants will receive a schedule of the week’s events at check-in, but they can plan on daily service projects (usually about 3 hours long), discussions about social issues, learning about service and leadership styles, and fun evening activities.

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, but helpful. 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 (e.g. nice pants or dress, ties—though not suits, etc.). Student small group leaders will keep participants informed about appropriate dress.

A refillable water bottle will be needed for service projects, and a small drawstring bag is recommended. A SMILE!

Participants living on campus would move into their assigned residence hall room on Monday, August 14, 2023.