UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Residence Life and Student Affairs Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are accepting applications to their newly created IDEA Ambassador positions.

The IDEA — Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility — Ambassadors are meant to improve the experiences of marginalized students within the residence halls by providing one-on-one attention and connection to University resources. Marginalized students often report feeling isolated in their residence halls, which is one of the primary reasons that students drop out in their first or second year of school, according to Mark Rameker, senior director of Residence Life.

“Over my time at Penn State several marginalized students have shared some of their experiences with me. If they had known about all the resources presented to them in the resident assistant position, their first year would have been easier,” said Rameker. “Some have shared that their friends may not have dropped out.”

Residence Life is seeking 10 to 16 dynamic, energetic students to assist staff in building inclusive communities and celebrating diversity within the residence halls. Residence Life will pilot the position next fall.

The IDEA Ambassadors will get to know their residence hall community on a personal level. They are expected to work with all students in a one-on-one setting, identify gaps that each student is experiencing, and connect students to the appropriate resources.

The ambassadors will participate in Residence Life meetings and collaborate with the University’s identity-based organizations to host community building events. They will also work with Residence Life staff to provide feedback and recommendations aimed at engaging bias and discrimination encountered by students within residential environments.

“The IDEA Ambassador position is part of this larger foundation that Student Affairs is trying to build,” said Jessica Sumney, assistant director for Student Affairs diversity, equity and inclusion. “We want to support the work of our identity-based centers, but also make sure that every student leaves with some knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Students can apply to become an IDEA Ambassador online. The deadline to apply is March 15.

“What we try to do in the halls is make smaller communities so that students feel more connected to the University,” Rameker said. “I’m hoping that these positions will increase that connection with students, their sense of belonging to the University, their sense of belonging in their residence hall community and, ultimately, persistence to graduation.”