AEIO Student Ambassadors

COSAM Departments Office of Academic Engagement, Innovation and Opportunity Student Ambassadors

(Pictured left to right) Back row: Shelby McAllister, Allison Sharp, Brandon Dye, Jackson Emmons, Christian Clark

Second Row: Kiana Sargent, Kate Sims, Malik Cook, Ariyanna Assad

First Row: Edward Wiggins (Coordinator) Liz Holcomb, Hannah Eady, Stella Cox, Jarious Avery

Not pictured: Antrelle D. Clark, Lauren French

Who are we?

The Office of Academic Engagement, Innovation, and Opportunity began this exciting program in 2016 for students who aspire to assist with the Office’s initiatives. Our Ambassadors are student who are committed to learning about the the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are willing to promote and encourage other students in the Auburn community to work towards becoming more multiculturally competent.

By participating in this program, students agree to attend weekly meetings, attend trainings, workshops, and campus events to increase their knowledge, awareness, and skills regarding diversity on Auburn's campus. This program is designed to create opportunities for students to actively engage in activities to advance diversity and inclusion. The program provides avenues for selected students to facilitate discussions, provide peer diversity training and host diversity related programming such as our Coffee Talks and Diversity Movie Nights.

Vision:

The Student Ambassadors for the Office of Academic Engagement, Innovation, and Opportunity within the College of Sciences and Mathematics believe that true innovation results when individuals of different races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, status, nationalities, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds collectively work together to solve problems. We create an environment where everyone’s differences are not only acknowledged but celebrated under the belief that we are all unique and have something to contribute. Through the continuous improvement of diverse representation at all levels and the creation of an inclusive environment that fosters intellectual creativity, our Ambassadors are committed to promoting peer-to-peer engagement through various events to increase awareness of social injustices. We understand and seek to diminish inequities on Auburn’s Campus in the STEM fields to help individuals grow both intellectually and personally through meaningful diverse experiences.

Mission:

COSAM AEIO Student Ambassadors seek to bring awareness to OIED services and programs; encourage interest in STEM fields in students from all backgrounds grades k-12; and promote an inclusive environment for all students. Through these actions, the ultimate mission of Ambassadors is to function as liaisons, collaborators, and representatives of AEIO and the diverse COSAM student populace. As such, Ambassadors is a link between the Office, Auburn students, grade school students, and also an extension of the COSAM AEIO mission.

Apply to be a Student Ambassador here!

Introducing Our Student Ambassadors

Ariyanna Assad

Standing: Junior

Major: Biomedical Sciences

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion represent the future I am proud to be involved and contribute in.”

Jarious Avery

Standing: Junior

Major: Genetics

"Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness."

Antrelle D. Clark

Standing:

Major:

“OIED is a way for people to come together and have mutual interests without prejudice, meaning without being frowned upon because of your gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, religion, race, ethnicity, etc."

Christian Clark

Standing: Senior

Major: Biomedical Sciences

"Diversity is not how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness." -Ola Joseph

Stella Cox

Standing: Senior

Major: Biomedical Sciences, Pre-Dentistry Concentration

"Strength lies in differences, not similarities." - Stephen Covey

Brandon Dye

Standing: Senior

Major: Biomedical Sciences, Pre-Medical Concentration, Political Science Minor

"Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard." - Amanda L. Bonilla

Hannah Eady

Standing: Junior

Major: Genetics

“Inclusivity means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued. I've always said: smart teams will do amazing things, but truly diverse teams will do impossible things.” - Claudia Brind-Woody

Jackson Emmons

Standing: Sophomore

Major: Biomedical Sciences

“Our diversity is our strength. What a dull and pointless life it would be if everyone was the same” – Angelina Jolie

Lauren French

Standing: Senior

Major: Major Biomedical Sciences, Minor Nutritional Science

“We are all different which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity life would be very boring.” – Catherine Pulsifer

Shelby McAlister

Standing: Senior

Major: Biomedical Sciences

“The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds.” – Abraham Lincoln

Kiana Sargent

Standing: Junior

Major: Chemistry/Biochemistry

"As opposed to the similar orthography of adversity, diversity only serves to bring unity amongst individuals"

Allison Sharp

Standing: Senior

Major: Ecology

“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” – Verna Myers

Kate Sims

Standing: Senior

Major: Biomedical Sciences

“Unity, not uniformity, must be our aim. We attain unity only through variety. Differences must be integrated, not annihilated, not absorbed.” – Mary Parker Follett