Division of Student Academic Success

1st Gen College Ambassador Training

Handbook
Welcome to the Team!
We are so excited for you to be a part of our FIRST cohort of 1st Generation College
Ambassadors at Rutgers University-Camden. We are overwhelmed with gratitude that you have
decided to embark on this journey with us as we strive to create a sense of belonging for our
first-generation college students at RUC.
This role is not to be taken lightly. As a 1st Gen College Ambassador, you will work closely with
the professional staff in the SAS Division in creating programming and services that serve the
first-generation student population at Rutgers-Camden. Additionally, you will build relationships
with other 1st Generation College students where they will look to you as leaders, a support
system, and part of their collegiate success network.

Purpose of this Role

The 1st Gen College Ambassador will be instrumental in increasing exposure of the first-
generation college student experience and cultivating a sense of belonging among this
population.

Goals of this Role

1. Guide 1st Gen college students throughout their undergraduate career at Rutgers
University.
2. Cultivate a welcoming environment where 1st-Gen students feel comfortable to ask
questions and get to know other students who share the 1st Gen college student identity.
3. Connect 1st Gen college students to various campus resources, when needed.
4. Increase 1st Gen college student involvement on campus.

2
As an Ambassador, You will Serve as a . . .

Coach who provides guidance and feedback for Mentor who helps students stay on course,
improving personal performance. navigate the Rutgers system, and overcome
potential obstacles that commonly occur at stages
of the college experience.

Confidante who is a non-judgmental listener

whom students can confide in and feel comfortable
about sharing personal values, beliefs, concerns, Meaning maker who helps students make sense
and challenges. of the college experience.

Educator who helps students learn the ropes of Motivator who challenges students to set personal
Rutgers-Camden. You will be a knowledgeable goals and inspires them to reach them.
source of accurate and timely information for
students about college policies.

Problem solver who helps students recognize and Troubleshooter who helps students solve ]and
resolve academic and personal problems. resolve issues to avoid falling through the cracks.

Referral agent who connects and refers students Organizer who plans and designs group activities.
to the right resources.

Facilitator who stimulates interaction and

Role model who sets examples which students can discussion during group sessions.
identify with, emulate, and aspire to be like -
academically and personally.

3
Duties/Responsibilities
· Enhance and promote programming outreach efforts to first-generation college students.  
· Serve as a representative at first-generation college student programming and events 
· Organize First-Generation College Week - Nov. 2nd - Nov. 6th (tentative)
· Be willing to share their expertise and ideas to create innovative programming for first-
generation college students at RUC 
· Attend required Ambassador meetings  
· Other duties as assigned 

Key Skills

 Familiarity with key social media tools (e.g., Instagram, Rutgers-Camden App and
Facebook) and with Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) 
 Strong leadership and communication skills  
 Professionalism 
 Attention to detail  
 Ability to energize others   
 Dependability  
 Punctuality  
 The ability to work collaboratively with a team 

Ethical Standards
1. HONESTY. 1st Gen College Ambassadors are honest and truthful in all their dealings and they
do not deliberately mislead or deceive others by misrepresentations, overstatements, partial
truths, selective omissions, or any other means.
2. INTEGRITY. 1st Gen College Ambassadors demonstrate personal integrity and the courage of
their convictions by doing what they think is right even when there is great pressure to do
otherwise; they are principled, honorable and upright; they will fight for their beliefs. They will
not sacrifice their principles for expediency or be hypocritical.
3. PROMISE-KEEPING & TRUSTWORTHINESS. 1st Gen College Ambassadors are worthy
of trust. They are candid and forthcoming in supplying relevant information.
4. FAIRNESS. 1st-Gen College Ambassadors are fair and just in all dealings. Fair persons
manifest a commitment to justice, the equal treatment of individuals and tolerance for and
acceptance of diversity. 1st Gen College Ambassadors are open-minded.
5. CONCERN FOR OTHERS. 1st Gen College Ambassadors are caring, compassionate and
kind; they help those in need and find pride in helping their fellow 1st Gen peers.

4
6. RESPECT FOR OTHERS. 1st Gen College Ambassadors demonstrate respect for the human
dignity, autonomy, privacy, and rights of persons.
7. COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. 1st Gen College Ambassadors pursue excellence in
performing their duties and are well-informed and prepared.
8. LEADERSHIP. 1st Gen College Ambassadors are conscious of the responsibilities and
opportunities of their position of leadership and seek to be a positive ethical role model.

5
Training Schedule

DATES TRAINING TOPIC PURPOSE

DAY 1 10/12 Welcome to the To get to know fellow

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM Team/Expectations ambassadors. Review upcoming
important dates, expectations
and your role.

DAY 2 10/13 Leadership Inventory & To understand one’s personality

SESSION A Communication and leadership style in order to
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM effectively communicate with
peers and other 1st gen college
students.

DAY 2 10/13 1st Generation Identity & Our To help students embrace their
SESSION B Initiative first gen identity and to
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM encourage them to tell their 1st
gen story.

DAY 3 10/14 Public Speaking & Online To build confidence in speaking

SESSION A Presence to an audience and be able to
11:20 AM - 12:20 PM give off an “in-person” vibe
through online presence.

DAY 3 10/14 Program Development To learn the process of bringing

SESSION B a program to life. Aside from
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM learning, ambassadors will be
given two days to plan a
program and elevator pitch to
the group.

DAY 4 10/15 Mental Health & 1st Gen College To identify risk factors for 1st
SESSION A Students gen college students and to
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM promote self-care practices.
Also, identify when to seek
professional help.

Diversity Training To learn some nuances of

DAY 4 10/15 diverse populations & ways to
SESSION B be respectful of different
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM cultures, abilities, and
6
 ideologies.

DAY 5 10/19 Closing & Presentations To review the training and

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM answer any further questions.
The last day also includes
ambassadors to elevator pitch
their program.

7
Fall 2020: Referrals/Hours of Operation

Operating Status Update: The Campus Center is currently open Monday through Friday: 7
a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. For the latest COVID-19 information,
visit coronavirus.rutgers.edu.
During this time, the Live Chat feature on the Campus Center homepage will be available to help
accommodate any questions you may have from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Dining Hall:
Information regarding Dining Hall's hours of operations and current policies and procedures can
be found at: http://camden.rudining.com
Wellness Center:
Information regarding Wellness Center's hours of operation and process for making an
appointment can be found at:
http://wellnesscenter.camden.rutgers.edu
Food Pantry:
Information regarding Food Pantry's hours of operations and process for picking up food can be
found at: https://wellnesscenter.camden.rutgers.edu/
IMPACT Booth/RUID:
Need a new or replacement RUID? Complete this form to request to have your RUID printed.
At this time, the Impact Booth is only reprinting for essential reasons. Once the request is
received, you will be contacted to set up an appointment to pick up your RUID from the
IMPACT Booth. There is a $20 fee for each lost/replaced RUID that is due at the time of your
appointment.
The IMPACT Booth is currently open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Kite+Key:
Information regarding online orders and technological support can be found at:
http://kiteandkey.rutgers.edu. Kite+key is currently open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
Printing Services:
The IT computer lab, which is located in the Paul Robeson Library, is open from Monday
through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other Offices & Departments:
8
 For all other concerns and questions regarding various offices and departments housed within
the Campus Center, please contact them individually. Additional information can be found
here: https://studentaffairs.camden.rutgers.edu/
Student Spaces:
The Corner Lounge and Scarlet Lounge are currently open to members of the Rutgers
Community. The Corner Lounge is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Scarlet Lounge
operates according to the following schedule:
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday:

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Open

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Closed for Cleaning

3 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Open

Tuesday & Thursday:

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Open

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Closed for Cleaning

4 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Open

Some community and student organization-based spaces, including large gathering spaces,
will remain closed during this time, including but not limited to Student Leader Lounge,
Greek Lounge, Student Veterans Lounge, Interfaith & Meditation Room, WCCR Radio
Station, and The Gleaner.

9
Training PowerPoint Presentations

10
11
Relevant Scholarly Articles

12