Providing near-to-peer support and mentorship
Student Ambassadors work collaboratively with the MOR admissions counseling team to connect with and support underrepresented and underserved students of color communities with an empowering perspective that validates students’ cultural backgrounds.
About the Program
As diverse student role models for high school youth, Student Ambassadors develop and assist with outreach events held on campus where they share their perspectives, conduct motivational workshops, and provide information about the UW admissions process, financial aid, academic requirements, and University resources.
Program History
The Student Outreach Ambassador Program was born out of the passion of UW students who rallied to counter the negative impacts of a 1998 Washington State Initiative (I-200) that effectively outlawed affirmative action. The program has since evolved from an all volunteer organization to a paid team of Student Ambassadors supported by MOR staff.
The program was awarded the 2002 Brotman Diversity Award in recognition of their exemplary advancement of the diversity of our university community and in 2003, MOR staff presented our model at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity.
As a MOR ambassador, I developed the skills necessary to represent, serve, and contribute to student success, accessibility, and community. My experiences through MOR provided the foundation for my success and serves to highlight the importance of MOR’s work in higher education.
Comanche Tribal Nation
Application
Applications for the Student Ambassador Program are currently closed. Contact Program Manager Rose Nguyen to learn more about the program.
24/25 Graphic Design/ Web Developer Application (PDF)
Meet Our Ambassadors
Have a question for a specific Student Ambassador? We encourage you to email reach@uw.edu with “ATTN: [Ambassador Name]” in the subject line and the Student Ambassador will reply.
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Lesley Kamoto
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Penina Logotala
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Kaloeaholokai (Noah) Lum
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Aliyah Siva
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Ahlam Khaleefa
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Xitlaly Mendoza
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Alexis Reb
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Anastacia Mikaele
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Pedro Caballero
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Emoni Valdovines
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Francisco Tzintzun
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Sophia Hernandez
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Fatima Gbla
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Lesley Kamoto
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Affinity Group: Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Major: Geography
Minor: Business &OPIS
Languages Spoken: English + Tongan
Why I came to the UW: I couldn’t see myself pursuing such a high quality education, anywhere else.
Penina Logotala
Year: Junior
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Affinity Group: Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Major: American Ethnic Studies
Minor: Oceania Pacific Islander Studies (OPIS), Diversity
Languages Spoken: English
Why I came to the UW: I chose UW because I remember the the people from the Polynesian Student Alliance (PSA) come to my high school and that was the representation that I needed to see, Pacific Islanders in higher education. I always knew that I wanted to be a part of the PSA UW family and to encourage future pasifika generations to come.
Kaloeaholokai (Noah) Lum
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: ʻAiea Hawaii and Camas Washington
Affinity Group: Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Major: Political Science and Global/Regional Studies
Minor: Oceania/Pacific Islander Studies
Languages Spoken: English
Why I came to the UW: The reason I chose UW was because of the resources and networking opportunities. It’s also allowed me to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.
Aliyah Siva
Year: Senior
Hometown: Kent, WA
Affinity Group: Hispanic/Latinx, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Major: History: Empire and Colonialism
Minor: Oceania and Pacific Islander Studies, Anthropology, and Diversity.
Languages Spoken: English
Why I came to the UW: I chose UW because I was passionate about fulfilling the professional education I need to obtain a successful career and make my family proud.
Ahlam Khaleefa
Year: Junior
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Affinity Group: African American/Black
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Law, Societies, and Justice
Languages Spoken: English
Why I came to the UW: I chose to attend UW because I was directly admitted into the Foster School of Business, my first-choice major; The financial aid was too good to ignore, and staying close to home made it the perfect choice for me.
Xitlaly Mendoza
Year: Junior
Hometown: Connell, WA
Affinity Group: Hispanic/Latinx
Major: Sociology and Law, Societies, & Justice
Minor: Leadership
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish
Why I came to the UW: Choosing to attend UW was the best decision I ever made in order to further my education, surround myself with opportunities, and most of all make my parents proud as a first generation student!
Alexis Reb
Year: Senior
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Affinity Group: African American/Black, Mixed
Major: Psychology
Minor: Education, Learning, and Society
Languages Spoken: English & Japanese
Why I came to the UW: To alleviate a barrier for further career progression and to be better equipped in helping underrepresented communities.
Anastacia Mikaele
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Vancouver, Wa
Affinity Group: Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Major: Medical anthropology
Minor: Oceania and Pacific Islander studies
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish
Why I came to the UW: For years it has been a school close to home where I saw people who looked like me achieving things I wish to accomplish
Pedro Caballero
Year: Junior
Hometown: Granger, WA
Affinity Group: Hispanic/Latinx
Major: Public Health, Political Science
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Why I came to the UW: The reason I chose to come to the UW has to be because it was the only college that made me feel at home. It allowed me to become a better person and best version of myself because of the resources it has to offer.
Emoni Valdovines
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Richland, WA
Affinity Group: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx
Major: Intended Bioengineering
Minor: Diversity
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Why I came to the UW: The UW was the school I saw myself being the most successful due to the many opportunities for someone in STEM and also the diverse student body creating a welcoming environment.
Francisco Tzintzun
Year: Junior
Hometown: White Swan, WA
Affinity Group: Hispanic/Latinx
Major: Business
Minor: Real Estate
Languages Spoken: Spanish-Language
Why I came to the UW: UW was the first University I felt fully supported as a Latinx first-generation student!
Sophia Hernandez
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Wenatchee, WA
Affinity Group: Hispanic/Latinx
Major: Education, Communities, and Organizations (E.C.O.) & Political Science
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Why I came to the UW: I came to UW because it was the most accessible and affordable option as a first-generation college student. I am continuing my husky journey because I have been exposed to so many resources and opportunities that have allowed me to thrive throughout my experience.
Fatima Gbla
Year: Junior
Hometown: New York City
Affinity Group:African American/Black
Major: Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology
Languages Spoken: Mandinka, English
Why I came to the UW: I chose to come to UW because of the many opportunities and resources it provides for those interested in STEM and the proximity to my family.