UNIVERSITY PARK Pa. — Hannah Registre knew being an IDEA Ambassador in a residence hall was a chance to impact fellow students at Penn State's University Park campus. 

“As an Afro Haitian, I didn’t see many Black people and even less Caribbean people around,” said Registre, a second-year student with senior standing studying psychology and labor and human resources. “To be an IDEA Ambassador meant first-year students in my hall had me as a role model, some of whom would look like me.” 

IDEA Ambassadors, which stands for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, are student leaders embedded in residence halls on campus with a goal of strengthening support and providing resources for resident students. Ambassadors mentor and create connections with first-year students while developing programs centered around equity and inclusion. 

The pilot program is approaching the end of its inaugural year and will be returning with more than double the ambassadors in the coming academic year. Ambassadors are provided room and board and work closely with resident assistants and professional staff to provide crucial resources to students. 

Melanie Bigalke, associate director of academic and strategic initiatives at Residence Life, sees the program as an extension of what Penn State is striving for as a University. 

“The IDEA Ambassadors are part of a wider effort to make our school a place where everyone can experience belonging,” Bigalke said. “I think that it’s incredibly important that as we work to support students, we work to support all students. I can’t wait to see what these outstanding student leaders create in the future.” 

Staff in Residence Life, a unit in the division of Student Affairs, have collaborated with the Center for Social Change and Belonging, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and others to connect resources and create pathways for student success. 

Students interested in becoming an IDEA Ambassador can attend an information session in February to learn more about the program. Candidates can complete an online interest form before the interview process begins in February. Those accepted to the IDEA Ambassador program will be notified by the end of March. 

“I would love to see the program expand to all first-year residence halls, and after that expand to the entire University Park campus, as its important for everybody to learn what exactly IDEA stands for in all aspects of life,” said Alexander Pretka, a graduating ambassador. “The IDEA Ambassadors are working hard to make a very large school feel smaller, and to help every Penn State student feel welcome.”