Grainger Engineering Graduate Student Diversity Ambassadors
We are the Grainger Engineering Graduate Student Diversity Ambassadors. As student leaders, we assist with recruitment and retention of engineering graduate students from diverse backgrounds. We engage with prospective students, serve as positive role models, act as on-boarding mentors, host events, and support students from groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering throughout their experience at Grainger Engineering.
Making an Impact
Outreach
Want to know why students choose Grainger Engineering? Ask a Diversity Ambassador. We are experienced graduate students, trained to answer your questions about graduate school. From the admissions process to the many resources of our Illinois campus to how to navigate academic life, we help students from diverse backgrounds find their place in our inclusive campus community.
Onboarding
We know that starting out as a graduate student is a big adjustment. Diversity Ambassadors provide guidance to connect incoming, first-year graduate students to campus resources. You’ll have lots of questions your first year, and we’re ready to provide support and mentorship to help you settle in Champaign-Urbana and succeed in your academic career.
Engagement
Building an inclusive campus environment is the role of every Grainger Engineer. As Diversity Ambassadors, we take a leadership role in connecting graduate students at all levels with college and campus resources. Through events and mentoring activities, we encourage student involvement with peers and serve as role models for future engineers.
2022-2024 Diversity Ambassadors
2022-2024 Diversity Ambassadors, left to right: Margie Ruffin, Maddie Stover, Nurila Kambar, Gabriel Muñiz Negrón,
Taha Shafa, Nathanael Assefa, and Brittany Payan
Become an Ambassador
Nominations are now open for 2023-2025 term
Diversity Ambassadors serve a two year term and receive a $1,000 stipend for each year of service. To be eligible for the role, students must be enrolled in a Grainger Engineering graduate program for a minimum of one year and must have passion and commitment to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in higher education. Diversity Ambassadors will receive training prior to their term of service and will work closely with the Office of Graduate, Professional, and Online Programs throughout their appointment period.
Nominations are due by June 15, 2023.
How can we help you?
Use this form to learn more about the program, get in touch with an ambassador, ask a question about becoming an ambassador, or request an ambassador’s presence at your event.
Grainger Engineering departments can request Diversity Ambassador involvement in mentoring, onboarding, and social events. Contact us with your ideas and requests.
Program Team
The Diversity Ambassadors program is administered by the Office of Graduate, Professional, and Online Programs in The Grainger College of Engineering.
DIANA GONZALEZ
Director for Graduate Student Success
LAURA REITER
Graduate Programs Coordinator
For questions about Diversity Ambassadors, please contact our program team at: grainger-gsda@illinois.edu
IDEA Institute
The Graduate Student Diversity Ambassadors Program is supported by a grant from The Institute for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access. IDEA is a focal point for expanding the visibility and impact of diversity efforts in The Grainger College of Engineering. The IDEA Institute offers anti-racism resources including webinars, blogs, reading materials, action items, talks, and more.
This project is co-sponsored by the IDEA Institute (#GIANT2022-03) and the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute.