DEI Student Ambassadors

Introduction and Overview

The College of A&GS is home to students from many backgrounds, including a diversity of race, ethnicity, ability, socioeconomic status, age, religion, sexual orientation, values, and perspectives. In direct alignment with Pillar Four of OU’s Strategic Plan, A&GS is committed to becoming and fostering a place of belonging where different viewpoints and knowledge systems are embraced and valued, where it is safe to engage in discourse of different opinions, and where individuals from diverse backgrounds are empowered and equitably supported in reaching their personal and professional goals.

The A&GS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Ambassador roles are being developed to empower students to play a meaningful and active role in A&GS and University-wide diversity initiatives. A&GS Student and DEI Ambassadors advocate for their student peers, participate in the development of diversity-related education, programming, and strategic planning, and could provide a direct means of communication between A&GS leadership and the A&GS student body. 

This is a student-leadership and non-paid position with a maximum commitment of 5-10 hours per month.  

The Ambassadors within the A&GS DEI Council will be comprised of the following:

• Four (4) undergraduate students 
  • One (1) DGES
  • One (1) SoM
  • Two (2) SoAS
    
    
• Two (2) non-Fall 2022 ‘graduating’ graduate students
  • One (1) DGES 
  • One (1) SoM 

A&GS DEI Council 

• Serve as a student member of the A&GS DEI Council  

• Attend all A&GS DEI Council monthly meetings via Zoom 

• Tues, Nov 15 @ 3:00-4:00 pm  

• Tues, Dec 13 @ 3:00-4:00 pm

• Serve as an active member of at least one (1) subcommittee outside of the Student subcommittee and be able to dedicate an appropriate amount of time to these initiatives when necessary 

• Work collaboratively with other A&GS Students and DEI Ambassadors

• Suggested: Devise and facilitate a minimum of one (1) annual A&GS-focused diversity, equity, and inclusion program, workshop, or discussion in collaboration with the A&GS DEI Council 

OU Community Building

• Serve as a liaison between the A&GS DEI Council and the OU Community - in particular, building rapport and establishing relationships with OU Student Life, Diversity Programs, and Cultural and Student Groups on campus  

• Keep abreast of OU events hosted by the above and provide guidance and feedback for synergy, promotion, and/or new collaborations

• Complete A&GS Student-Only DEI Training  

Recruitment, Outreach, and Communication 

• Provide suggestions for outreach opportunities with K-12 schools and local community organizations  

• When able, attend OU and A&GS prospective student recruitment events 

• Promote A&GS events and awareness campaigns to the OU campus  

• Participate and provide input on A&GS's Social Media Strategy  
   

Role Model 

• Model positive behavior that aligns with OU’s values and serves as a role model in the exploration of diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Promote a community where diversity is valued through mutual respect, communication, and shared empathy 

• Serve as a resource that helps to facilitate an environment free of hate and intolerance and that is conducive to student growth and success

• Support peers and the campus community in developing an understanding of community norms that embrace diversity and social justice 

• Be knowledgeable about the OU Student Code of Conduct and campus and community resources

Qualifications

• Must be obtaining a BA/BS, MA/MS, or PhD within the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability (DGES), School of Aviation Studies (SoAS), and/or the School of Meteorology  

• Must be a positive role model and have experience or character to enable success in developing relationships with one’s peers and supporting a positive community experience

• Must be committed to learning and personal development on the job 

• Must be a full-time student having completed at least two full semesters prior to beginning the position. 

• Graduating seniors and graduate candidates completing their Master or PhD in Fall 2022 are not eligible to apply 

• Undergraduate applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 hours, be in good academic standing with OU, and have/maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5

• Graduate applicants must be in good academic standing with OU and have/maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 

Application Process

The A&GS DEI Council will accept ongoing applications but encourages students to apply ASAP to begin attending meetings. Applications will be reviewed by the Council and applicants will be notified of the decision soon after the application is received. 

Apply to be a DEI Ambassador

For any questions regarding the A&GS DEI Council, how to apply or the scope of the responsibilities, please contact Assistant Dean, Aisha S. Owusu @ aso@ou.edu