John Jay College Of Criminal Justice | The City University of New York

   

John Jay’s Peer Ambassador Leadership Program has been formally recognized as a national “best practice,” following its recent selection as a recipient of the Spotlight Series Award for Influences on Student Learning by NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.

The program will automatically be considered for the association’s Spotlight Program of the Year Award, to be presented at NASPA’s annual conference next March in Baltimore, MD.
The NASPA award recognizes those “who are transforming higher education through outstanding and innovative leadership programs and services,” according to the organization’s Web site. John Jay’s Peer Ambassador program seeks to instill leadership, personal and cognitive development, civic responsibility and practical skill-building.

From August 5-8, the newest cohort of 30 Peer Ambassadors — 8 returnees and 22 new members — underwent four full days of intensive training and orientation that focused on everything from proper dress and behavior to the College’s history and organization. Students learned how to interact with current and prospective students as well as VIPs and other friends of the College, and engaged in a variety of team-building and group dynamics exercises.

Peer Ambassadors typically serve throughout the John Jay campus, including such functions as student orientation, commencement, special events and community outreach. Interested undergraduate students must be enrolled full-time and have at least a 3.0 GPA, among other criteria.

“Our ambassadors are role models for the new students, and they are examples of the good that the institution does,” said Rosann Santos-Elliott, Associate Director of the Office of Student Transition Programs, which oversees the Peer Ambassador program.