Summary, Scope, and Responsibilities
The Office of Intercultural Education (OIE) strives to provide students with a sense of belonging in their social and intellectual communities, elevate their awareness of their personal power and educate allies among students, faculty and staff by serving as a community hub that harnesses our differences.
The First-Generation Ambassador (Ambassador) is a student leadership role within the OIE. Ambassadors are encouraging role models who are trained to provide support to first-generation initiatives and first-generation students at Bates. Ambassadors provide outreach, mentorship, and programmatic support to an assigned cohort of first-generation students within the Bobcat First and Kessler Scholars programs to help develop students’ academic, social, and emotional wellness at Bates. Ambassadors serve as facilitators and mentors, providing a safe avenue for students to discuss the unique experience of first-generation students. Ambassadors are required to complete weekly office hours for drop-in mentorship, create and execute educational/social first-generation programs and workshops, and attend regular meetings to receive ongoing training. Ambassadors play a key role in the successful execution and support of the First-Generation Summer Pre-Orientation experience, and are expected to arrive on campus approximately one week before the start of fall classes (approx. the last week of August).
Students should submit a cover letter with their application that answers the following questions:
What interests you in applying to work in the Office of Intercultural Education and why this job?
A commitment to equity, inclusion access and anti-racism, and social justice are integral to all roles within the OIE. How would you demonstrate these values in your work?
What does it mean to you to be a first generation student at Bates?
A major part of this position is planning, promoting, and executing events and programs for first generation students. Please describe examples of an educational workshop AND a community-building workshop that you would run as a First-Gen Ambassador that would benefit the first generation community at Bates.
The Basics
Department:Office of Intercultural Education
Supervisor:
Tatiana Pullen
Office Location:
OIE
Email:
tpullen@bates.edu
Pay Grade:
Hours:
6
Workers:
8
Qualifications, Requirements, and Responsibilities
Responsibilities
-Design, execute, and participate in at least one educational and one social workshop or program per semester. Events and programs are grounded in equity and inclusion and further the success of first-generation students within the Bobcat First and Kessler Scholar programs, and are designed to not only assist students in navigating college, but to explore individual values, goals, and further personal, professional and academic development.
-Actively encourage and recruit students to first-generation programs and events, as well as other activities, workshops, and programs held on campus, promoting deeper exploration of first-generation student interests and encouraging curiosity for new experiences.
-Participate and assume leadership within required signature Bobcat First and Kessler programs, including but not limited to Summer Pre-Orientation, the First-Generation Dinner, field trips, and the Senior Gala
-Serve as a mentor for an assigned cohort of program participants by connecting them to resources, activities, student organizations, and programs across campus.
-Act as a positive role model in all aspects of interaction with the campus community, being always mindful that First-Generation Ambassadors are representatives of the Bobcat First and Kessler programs as well as the OIE, and maintain behavior and comments that reflect positively on the office.
-Attend all required First-Generation Ambassador meetings and trainings.
-Recognize and maintain confidentiality of student information.
-Commitment to personal leadership development through application of the Bates Leads framework in all aspects of the work:
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications / Position Requirements:
1. Ability to be Bates Work Authorized
2. Be a first-generation student currently enrolled in the
3. Bobcat First or Kessler Scholars program
4. Enrolled as a rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior at Bates
5. Demonstrate a willingness to support first-generation students and their success
6. Demonstrate dependability, punctuality, and strong organizational skills
7. Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships with students, staff, faculty and community partners
8. An investment in equity, access, and anti-racism and demonstrated ability to cultivate a welcoming space that is supportive of all identities
9. Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and collaboration
Reliability, maturity, strong organizational skills and attention to detail
10. Demonstrated awareness of, sensitivity and commitment to diversity and inclusivity and to serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community
Reporting
This position reports directly to the Coordinator for First-Generation Programs.
Working Conditions
Ambassadors work primarily in Chase Hall, Office of Intercultural Education but may be expected to provide or attend programming at other locations across campus and occasionally off campus.