The Student Ambassador Program began in 2022 and is open to all incoming freshmen in CSH. Student ambassadors lead events and provide guidance, while faculty advisors offer supplemental student support. Last year, 266 first-year students received mentorship services, most of whom are African American, Latinx, mixed race or international students.“First and foremost, we want to enhance a sense of student community and belonging,” says Michael Roberts, senior assistant dean for student success in CSH. “These initiatives also assist us in identifying key partnerships within the DePaul community whereby we can provide students with referrals to assist with professional development.”
The ambassador program is one of many initiatives implemented in the past few years to increase student success in the college. In the past few years, CSH has hosted a variety of first-time events. In 2023 the college hosted CSH Fest, a college-wide festival celebrating students. A Brown Bag Lunch Series for college faculty and staff took place in 2024 and focused on student belonging. Recent ambassador program events focused on research and internship opportunities.
Long-term belonging
One pair of students who connected during the 2023-2024 school year exemplifies this long-lasting connection.
Nicoletta Vlahos, a junior studying biochemistry, became a student ambassador during her sophomore year. Following along with the program’s curriculum, she supports peers by sharing resources and discussing their courses.
“A key part of the process is also sharing my experiences,” Vlahos says. “We’re all science majors, and I take similar classes to my mentees, so I can share how I handled the courses that are more difficult to manage.”
Sophomore environmental science student Vanessa Rodriguez connected with Vlahos during her first weeks at DePaul and found value in receiving support adjusting to college life, including organization and taking on difficult coursework.
“Science students have busy schedules with additional labs and challenging courses, and it’s been a great resource to learn from someone who had already been through their first year,” Rodriguez says.
Student ambassadors also learn and grow in the program.
“This program supports first-year students, but it’s also helped my development as a professional,” Vlahos says. “Working with 15 mentees and coordinating to fit their needs has allowed me to be more confident in my skills.”
Students “see themselves as scientists”
Emma Pisello, the student success navigator in the College of Science and Health involved in managing the program, has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both mentors and mentees.
“While the program is formally for first-year students, many of our mentors build long-lasting relationships with their mentees,” Pisello says. “It’s not uncommon for students to maintain a strong connection, which has been valuable for students throughout their time at DePaul.”
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