A program that the Cullen College of Engineering established in 1999 to help recruit engineering students to the University of Houston is now in its third year and has grown to include 18 students.
The Ambassadors program is focused primarily on increasing the effectiveness and quality of the college's recruitment process.
"We serve as hosts and hostesses for the Cullen College of Engineering in every realm of getting the college recognized and familiarized by high school students, counselors, teachers and parents," said Tiffney Rodriguez, Ambassadors advisor and recruitment manager for the college.
"It's been a great program for us and the college," said member May Shek.
In order to become an Ambassador, any interested and eligible student must turn in an application to the college's recruitment office by March. The office then schedules an interview for the student with the selection committee. The requirements include being a sophomore, at least one semester at UH for transfer students and a 2.5 GPA.
If chosen, the students must accept responsibility for a certain number of service hours per semester, which are fulfilled by participating in the recruitment process and in over 17 annual engineering and university events. In return for their commitment and participation, ambassadors receive an annual $500 scholarship and a blue, tailor-made suit to send them well dressed into the corporate world.
Each Ambassador's term lasts one year, but any who wish to return may submit a renewal application by March along with the prospective members. The decision to allow the ambassador to return rests on his or her past performance and participation in the program.
"If he has been an active member," said Shek, "he will probably be asked to return." The number of times a student may serve as an ambassador is limitless, providing that he or she fulfills the GPA and service requirements.
In addition to fulfilling academic requirements, the ambassadors also demonstrate a talent for leadership and an involvement in extracurricular and university-related activities. Many of the Ambassadors are members of other UH student organizations and some work as interns or hold full- or part-time jobs. All actively participate in the college and somehow manage to balance overwhelming schedules.
The variety and quantity of organizations represented by the ambassadors is a reflection of the principles of involvement and volunteerism that the ambassadors exemplify, and also of the varied interests that the ambassadors embody. "We are a very diverse group which greatly reflects the diversity of the university," said Shek.
The ambassadors participate in two main types of events: high school recruitment and providing assistance in Cullen College of Engineering events. Such events include the Beginning of Semester Party, Homecoming, Engineering Open House, Cougar Preview (UH Open House) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Crawfish Boil.
"Even before this semester began," said Shek, "the Ambassadors assisted in the ISIP Orientation and Cougar Craze." Cougar Craze welcomes incoming freshmen to UH the day before Fall semester classes begin.
High school recruitment involves maintaining contact with high school students, hosting tours of the engineering building and UH campus to prospective engineering students and their parents, helping with "college nights" at local high schools and serving as proctors and judges at Engineer's Day for High Schools.
Last year, the ambassadors even went to Holub Middle School and spoke with the students about engineering. "Our presentation was received with great enthusiasm!" said Shek. "It's so nice to see young students showing interest in engineering."
Events that inspire young students to be engineers, such as the Engineer's Day for High Schools, are what drive UH students to join the program and what give them the most satisfaction after performing their ambassadorial duties.
When asked why he decided to become an ambassador, sophomore James Cox said, "I wanted to get the word out about exactly what engineering is. I wanted to have the opportunity to talk to high school kids and tell them what they need to do to become an engineer."
He explained that many people reject engineering as a career choice without really investigating it. Some junior or senior students, Cox said, realize too late that engineering might be something they want to do and that they would have been willing to take the dreaded extra math classes. He fears that many high school students lack someone to help him or her realize that in time to act upon it.
Jonathan Richards said that many high school students "don't know about engineering as a whole or about any of the disciplines. They don't know there are five different fields and each field has its own options." He said that many younger students tend to just group engineering into an unappealing whole without realizing that there are many interesting directions engineering can take. By going to high schools and talking with the students, Richards said, you give them the chance to even think about engineering as an option.
"Last year, when we went to high schools, many students said that they liked math and wanted to do business or technology." Richards said he explained to the students about what engineering can offer to students interested in mathematical and technical fields, thereby exposing them to a career choice they were previously unaware of.
Jeffery Ledet wishes he had been given this opportunity when he was in high school. "If I had been able to talk to someone like an ambassador it surely would have helped me in getting a better outlook on college life, and in narrowing down my expectations of what it would be like to be an engineer."
Chuck Campbell said the Ambassadors program helps him interact more with fellow students outside of the classroom environment by doing things other than studying, like attending numerous school events. "But the main reason I became an Ambassador," he said, "is because I wanted to make a gesture of gratitude to my alma mater, to give back to the college that has given me so much."
The students selected as ambassadors for the 2001-2002 academic year and their chosen engineering disciplines are Marcela Bohorquez, chemical; Casey Broxson, civil; Chuck Campbell, chemical; James Cox, industrial; Curll Dowden, chemical; Morolake Kuteyi, industrial; Miranda Lalaj, chemical; Enrique Lares, chemical; Jeffery Ledet, electrical; Okechukwu Ofili, mechanical; Dimple Pajwani, electrical; Melissa Raney, chemical; Jonathan Richards, industrial; Carolina Rodriguez, mechanical; Patricia Rushing, mechanical; May Shek, chemical; Sol Soto, chemical; Adrianne Thompson, chemical.