In Fall of 2025, the Seidler Foundation implemented a new and exciting College Student Ambassador program to provide even more support to its scholarship awardees.

Since 95% of Seidler scholarship awardees attend these five campuses, each will have a College Student Ambassador:

1. Cornell College
2. Kirkwood Community College
3. Iowa State University
4. University of Iowa
5. University of Northern Iowa

Ambassadors convene awardees on campus throughout their college career to help support their transition and success. Through the facilitation and leadership of the Ambassadors, awardees will be: 

1. A member of a peer-to-peer support group of awardees on your campus to provide advice to one another
2. A participant in timely conversations/meetings to provide support and be sure you know about campus support services 

Ambassadors have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, provide advice based on their first-hand college experience, and serve as an available resource for awardees. Ambassadors are selected as juniors in college at four-year campuses, with a desired two-year service commitment to provide depth of experience and continuity. At KCC, an upper-class student who is a graduate of JHS is the Ambassador.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT:
The Seidler Foundation will provide educational support of $1,000 per academic year to Ambassadors, in addition to their scholarship funding. If an Ambassador returns for a second year, they will receive $1,500 in educational support the second academic year.  The educational support will be sent directly to the campus of enrollment by January 1, with the spring scholarship payment, to be placed in the Ambassador’s student account to be used for any qualified educational expense.

ESTIMATED TIME REQUIREMENT:
The role is estimated to take a maximum of 40/50 hours per academic year.

HOW TO APPLY:
Eligible current juniors in college will be notified when an Ambassador vacancy is open and the application opening and deadline will be communicated at that time. The application occurs via the online scholarship portal. A timeline for interviews and completing the selection and notification process will be communicated when a vacancy notice is sent to eligible candidates.

SCOPE AND ROLE AND EXPECTATIONS AND COMMITMENTS:
The Ambassador plans and facilitates the following during the academic year:

1. Convene all Seidler Foundation scholarship awardees at their college 4 times per academic year. Convenings, 60-90 minutes each, will include any of these topics: networking, presentations from campus supports, Q & A, getting ready for spring semester, sharing by upper-class awardees of lessons learned and campus resources utilized, and general mentoring and support. An early convening will be attended virtually by a Seidler Foundation representative who will also help explain the purpose and outcomes of establishing cohorts on each campus.

    

2. Arrange awardees to go back to Jefferson High School to speak to current scholarship awardees about transitioning to and being successful in college. The Foundation will reach out to the Ambassador when opportunities arise and the Ambassador will coordinate student speakers.

    

3. Be available to awardees on campus as needed regarding campus success and knowledge of campus resources. The Seidler Foundation will assist in setting guardrails and boundaries as the Ambassador is not expected to be available 24/7.

    

4. Before each new academic year, reach out to awardees who will be enrolled on campus in the fall to introduce themselves and their role and welcome students to campus. Once new students arrive on campus, the Ambassador will reach out to welcome and encourage them. During summer months, the Ambassador will reach out to awardees at least once.

AMBASSADOR REQUIREMENTS:

1. Fully read the College Student Ambassador Guidelines
2. Respond in a timely manner to communication from the Seidler Foundation
3. Attend and fully engage in all Orientation and training meetings (which includes providing feedback of how the role is going and how it can be improved) and quarterly convenings of fellow awardees on your campus
4. Notify the Seidler Foundation immediately if you are unable to host a meeting or can no longer fulfill the Ambassador role – quick communication is critical as your fellow awardees are counting on your leadership and support
5. Honor your commitment to serve in this role for two years if you committed to doing so on the application
6. Contact the Seidler Foundation immediately if you have questions or concerns – about the role or about an awardee on the campus. The Seidler Foundation will set guidance on how much and what you can share about another awardee as we work together to ensure that students who are experiencing severe challenges receive the needed support. 

REQUESTS AND QUESTIONS:
Contact Camry Ivory, Seidler Foundation College Ambassador Program Facilitator, at camryivory@gmail.com

I’m Amanda, a psychology major with a minor in leadership studies at Iowa State University. as a first-generation student, I’m passionate about leadership through influence and connecting others with the resources they need to succeed. Outside of academics, I enjoy building community and getting involved on campus—or binge-watching a good show while practicing self-care with a sweet trea

I am a first-generation student and the oldest of three siblings. Being the oldest has taught me responsibility, leadership, and the importance of supporting others values that I carry into both my academic and personal life. Family means everything to me, and outside of school, I enjoy spending time with them, watching TV, and cooking or baking as a way to unwind and connect.

I earned my A.A.S. degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture, and I’m currently pursuing degrees in Architecture and Construction Management at Kirkwood Community College. I chose thispath because I love seeing how creativity, problem-solving, and real-world construction come together toshape the spaces we live and learn in.

I also work for a construction company in Riverside, IA, where I draw floor plans and apply my interior design education in a professional setting. This experience has helped me better understand how ideas turn into real buildings and has given me a deeper appreciation for teamwork across design and construction.

As a student ambassador, I hope to be someone others feel  comfortable reaching out to whether it’s for encouragement, guidance, or simply a reminder that you’re not alone. I’m passionate about supporting fellow students, especially first-generation students, and helping create a welcoming, supportive community where everyone can succeed.

Charlote Akoto Lokinu is a finance student at the University of Iowa with a strong interest in investment banking, consulting, and global economic development.

An immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, she brings a global perspective shaped by resilience, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity.

Charlotte has interned in investment banking, worked as an equity analyst for the Tippie College of Business endowment covering TMT, and supported the Tippie College of Business Institute for International Business initiatives through her role as program intern.

A natural leader, she thrived in high-pressure environments by thinking quickly and executing with clarity.

Beyond finance, Charlotte enjoys literature, creative writing, weightlifting, and learning about African history post colonialism. She aspires to build a career that challenges her intellectually while creating meaningful impact across emerging markets.

I am a junior at the University of Northern Iowa. I am a first-generation college student majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. I am very involved on campus through Panther Ambassadors, CATS, and Unidos

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