Students who are creative and passionate about the Biological Sciences can emerge as campus leaders through our Ambassadors program.
Over 1,400 students are enrolled in the Biological Sciences major at the University of Maryland-College Park, each year. To continue the development of our undergraduate program, Biological Sciences (BSCI) is looking for spirited Science Terps who can represent the major and be outspoken voices for our broad student body.
About the program
Ambassadors is a volunteer opportunity for current Biological Sciences students. The ambassadorship creates a formative pathway for students to practice and master professional skills such as: campaigning, recruitment, public speaking, event coordination, leadership, mentoring, and more. Students with minimal or no prior work experience are highly encouraged to apply. The ambassadorship is the first of its kind for Biological Sciences, so students admitted into the program during 2026 would be part of a special, inaugural cohort.
[COMING SOON] 2026-2027 Biological Sciences Ambassadors, The Inaugural Cohort
Ambassadors are divided into three committees, which have the following missions:
MEDIA: create person-centered media that amplifies unique experiences within the Biological Sciences Program; coordinate with the upskill and wellness committees
UPSKILL: transform how Terrapins learn, study, and prepare for careers post-graduation
WELLNESS: transform belonging in the biological sciences; how Terrapins care for themselves and for others
Ambassador Responsibilities
The ambassadorship requires a commitment of 10-15 hours of service per semester—which breaks down to about one hour per week. A commitment of at least one year (two semesters) is expected.
Responsibilities vary by an ambassador’s committee, but ambassadors can expect to:
Attend monthly sync meetings with the program manager (all committees report)
Coordinate and attend committee-specific meetings (bi-weekly)
Create original, student-centered media—photos, videos, articles—to be published on our social media or website
Plan and host student experiences related to professional development
Plan and host student experiences related to wellness
Additional tasks or responsibilities may be delegated as needed
Eligibility, Requirements to Apply
The minimum qualifications to be considered for an ambassadorship with Biological Sciences are as follows:
Must be a declared in the Biological Sciences major for at least one semester
Must have at least two semesters left at UMD before graduation
Commitment of 10-15 hours of service per semester (about 1hr/wk)
A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
Fundamental skills in Google Workspace (Docs, Slides, Gmail, Calendar)
Ability to work effectively in groups and individually
Attention to detail
Creative mind
First-year students are eligible but must have completed at least one semester of Biological Sciences coursework and meet the other requirements listed.
How to Apply
The application will ask students to…
Write a brief purpose statement (AI-generated statements are prohibited)
List at least one professional reference which may be an instructor, academic advisor, research mentor, supervisor, or other professional.
List current extracurricular commitments (on and off campus)
Students also have the option to upload a resume, though a resume is not required.
The priority deadline for best consideration was
Friday, March 13th by 11:59 PM.
Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are closed at this time.
Questions? Email:
Mr. Shiloh Ortiz, MEd
Program Manager for Biological Sciences Ambassadors | email: shiloh@umd.edu
