About Graduate Ambassadors
Graduate School Ambassadors are current graduate students at The University of Alabama who represent a variety of academic fields and serve as official student representatives for the Graduate School. Graduate School Ambassadors support potential graduate students to The University of Alabama by providing information and participating in recruitment activities.
Graduate School Ambassador activities include:
- Responding to e-mail queries from prospective and newly admitted graduate students
- Referring potential graduate students to the Graduate School for assistance in applying to The University of Alabama
- Working with the Graduate School on specific recruitment activities such as Preview Day, Three Minute Thesis Competition, Undergraduate Research Conference, etc.
- Working with their respective colleges on departmental recruitment activities, as needed
Ambassador Benefits
The Graduate School selects 20 ambassadors every year. Those selected receive:
- $250 scholarship per semester, paid in December and May
- Graduate School polo
- name tag
- ‘Graduate Ambassador of the Year’ named every spring
Ambassador Expectations
- Currently enrolled in a graduate program at The University of Alabama
- Have completed 1 semester of graduate study at The University of Alabama
- Have and maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain in good academic standing
- Positively represent the Graduate School and The University of Alabama
- Volunteer for a minimum of 45 hours per academic year (August-May) by participating in a combination of any of the following activities:
- responding to e-mails from prospective students
- participating in in-person or virtual events sponsored by the Graduate School
- Attend orientation in August
- Attend bi-monthly meetings in October, January, and March
Become an Ambassador
The application to apply opens every year by April 15. Currently enrolled students will receive an e-mail when the application opens. Applications must include:
- A current resume or CV
- Contact information of your PI, advisor, or graduate program director
- Contact information of two (2) references. At least one (1)) of your references must be employees of The University of Alabama (Ex. Faculty, administrator, staff, etc.). Reference letters are not needed at the time of application, just contact information.
Request an Ambassador
If you are interested in applying to graduate school at The University of Alabama and would like to speak with a Graduate School Ambassador, please visit our Graduate Ambassador Directory.
If you are faculty or staff at The University of Alabama and would like to request that Graduate School Ambassadors assist with an event, please contact Kaitlynn Beaird at kmbeaird@ua.edu. Faculty program directors who do not have a Graduate Ambassador representing their program should encourage their students to apply.