Ambassador Leadership Program

Program Overview

The Dial Center Ambassador Leadership Program (ALP) is a dynamic one‑ or two‑year leadership pathway that immerses students in real-world service, communication practice, and community‑engaged learning. Ambassadors are selected through a competitive application process and serve as the student voice and public face of the Dial Center across campus and in the community. ALP is a service-learning laboratory, where students learn by doing-experimenting, collaborating, and making meaningful progress on issues they care about. The program co-creates conditions necessary for students to lead with clarity, responsibility and presence. We believe that when students intentionally exercise leadership—thoughtfully, boldly, and with others, our classrooms, campus, and community become stronger and more adaptive. Applications for the 2026 cohort are open February 9–April 3, 2026.

Ambassadors

One Year Ambassador Track

In year one, students enter ALP and begin representing the Dial Center at key campus events, outreach activities, and communication programs. They build essential skills in communication, leadership, and community engagement on campus and across Gainesville. Throughout the year, ambassadors participate in structured learning and reflection, lead ALP initiatives, and serve as the student voice and face of the Dial Center. At the end of the year, students may graduate with a certificate of completion or/and leadership award. They may choose to advance into year two for deeper leadership development, expanded service‑learning, and more senior ambassador responsibilities.

Two Year Ambassador Track

Year Two is an optional advanced track for students seeking deeper growth through expanded service‑learning and elevated representation of the Dial Center. Returning ambassadors step into senior roles, leading recruitment, mentoring first‑year students, and representing the Dial Center at major campus and community events. Students take on increased service‑learning responsibilities—such as facilitation, communications leadership, partner coordination, or multi‑semester service projects and strengthen relationships across UF and community organizations. Through higher engagement and continued reflection, students build a strong leadership identity and a competitive portfolio for internships and professional opportunities. Completion of year two earns the Senior Ambassador Distinction, recognizing advanced leadership and exemplary service.

Ambassador Leadership Award

The ALP Leadership Awards recognize ambassadors who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, service, and leadership throughout their year in the program. These awards celebrate students who embody the Dial Center’s values of communication excellence, community engagement, equity, and adaptive leadership. Please fill out this form to nominate a student for one of the 2026 awards. Nominations will close March 25, 2026 and notifications to winners will be announced April 3, 2026.

ALP 2026 Leadership Award Nomination Form

The ALP Leadership Awards recognize ambassadors who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, service, and leadership throughout their year in the program. These awards celebrate students who embody the Dial Center’s values of communication excellence, community engagement, equity, and adaptive leadership. Please fill out the form below to nominate a student for one of the 2026 awards.

Nominee Full Name

First Last

Nominee UF email address

Nominee Major and Academic Year

Ambassador Track

Award Category you want to nominate this ambassador for

Emerging Leader Award

Excellence in Service Learning Award

Outstanding Campus Representation Award

Senior Ambassador Distinction (Year Two only)

Spirit of ALP Award (Purpose, Integrity, and Engagement)

Leadership Evidence

1. Please describe the nominee’s leadership strengths and why they stand out.

(Consider communication, initiative, teamwork, adaptability, and professionalism.)

2. Provide one or two specific examples demonstrating their contribution to ALP or the Dial Center.

(Projects, service learning impact, representation, mentoring, or event leadership.)

3. Describe how the nominee represents the Dial Center’s mission and values in their actions.

4. Please share any additional observations that would support this nomination.

(Optional)

Nominator Information

Your Name

First Last

Your Email

Role

Faculty

Staff

Student

Community Partner

Relationship to Nominee

Ambassador Mission

The Dial Center Ambassadors are fellows of the Ambassador Leadership Program. The mission of the Ambassadors is to provide leadership to the Dial Center and university communities through representation, recruitment and service.

Representation—Ambassadors serve as Dial Center representatives at department, college and university-level events. Ambassadors also serve as liaisons between students and faculty.
Recruitment—Ambassadors play a pivotal role in spreading the word about Communication Studies, including our minor, courses, programs, services and events through activities such as university-sponsored tabling events and local speaking engagements.
Service—In all our works, the Dial Center Ambassadors endeavor to provide service leadership to the Dial Center, University of Florida and local communities

Applications for the 2026 cohort are open February 9–April 3, 2026.

Ambassador Application

Name*
UF Email Address*
Phone Number*
Please enter your cell phone or other primary contact phone number.
Major*
Academic Level*
What is your CURRENT classification?
Graduation Date*
Enter the SEMESTER and YEAR in which you anticipate graduating.
Choos your preferred pathway
Why do you want to join ALP?*
Share what excites you about leadership and communication and how ALP aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Describe a time you exercised leadership or influenced others.*
What was the challenge, and what did you learn about yourself?
What does "communication as change" mean to you?
How would you embody this principle as an ALP Ambassador?
What skills do you hope to develop through ALP?*
(Examples: conflict management, leadership, public speaking, event planning, ethics, digital communication.)
5. Which aspect of the program’s mission resonates most with you, and how have you lived that value in community or campus contexts?
Leadership Commitment: Do you commit to these responsibilities?
ALP is a high-challenge, high-support environment. Ambassadors are expected to: • Attend regular meetings and training sessions. • Represent the Dial Center at campus events. • Lead or co-lead service projects. • Engage in courageous dialogues and collaborative initiatives.
Describe how you will make space for this commitment over the term?

Director of ALP

Anisah Ari, Ph.D.
Rolfs 412
anisah.ari@ufl.edu

Dial Center for Speech and Communication Studies