The Baker University Center atrium filled with giant green and white balloons
The OHIO Presidential Ambassadors

OHIO Presidential Ambassadors

About the OHIO Presidential Ambassadors

The members of the OHIO Presidential Ambassadors serve as official representatives of Ohio University and the Office of the President at various presidential events throughout the academic year.

The Presidential Ambassadors are a group of student volunteers who give their time and talents to advance the priorities and initiatives of the Office of the President. These students are loyal Bobcats and role models who represent what Ohio University has to offer. Students apply to serve for one-year terms and must re-apply at the end of each term for consideration.

 

President Gonzalez walks toward investiture
Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez, Ohio University's 23rd president

What Does a Presidential Ambassador Do?

  • Learn more about the mission, vision, history and interworkings of Ohio University.
  • Engage with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and friends of OHIO.
  • Assist the Office of the President in furthering strategic initiatives.
  • Detail the student experience to various constituents and polish public speaking skills.
  • Elevate the reputation of OHIO by showcasing the tremendous talent of its students.
  • Represent Ohio University at special events on and off campus.

How Do Presidential Ambassadors Serve?

Ambassadors will have the opportunity to represent Ohio University and the Office of the President at various activities and events throughout the academic year. This could include serving as official student hosts for signature experiences with internal and external constituencies, such as:

  • Presidential events at home football games
  • Various Presidential events
  • Board of Trustee Engagements
  • Homecoming events
  • Donor and Alumni Events

You will also receive professional development training and hear from guest speakers at group meetings.

*Event attendance will be flexible and work around students’ academic calendar and other extra-curricular commitments.

 

Two Presidential Ambassadors smile for a photo at the President's Tailgate, which takes place before every home football game.

How To Apply To Become a Presidential Ambassador

The 2024-2025 OHIO Presidential Ambassadors Cohort has been filled. The application deadline for the 2025-2026 Presidential Ambassadors Cohort was midnight February 27, 2025. 

Requirements

To be considered for membership in this distinguished student group, students must be willing to meet the required time commitments and submit an online application during the application period. Applicants should meet the following:

  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student
  • The completion of at least two semesters of academic work at OHIO by the start of the fall term in which they will begin serving
  • A reference letter from an Ohio University faculty member or advisor

Letters of recommendation should be emailed to Matt Thomson directly from the faculty member or advisor by email at thomsonm@ohio.edu.

The OHIO Presidential Ambassadors selection process is highly competitive. If students are chosen from the pool of applicants to progress to the next stage, they may be invited to participate in an in-person interview.

Contact Us

 

For more information, please contact Matt Thomson, Director of Presidential Events and advisor to the OHIO Presidential Ambassadors, at 740.593.0247 or thomsonm@ohio.edu.

 

Presidential Ambassador logo

2025-2026 Presidential Ambassadors

Class of 2028
Alex Hendrickson
  • Hometown: Athens, OH
  • Major/Minor: Chemistry/Biochemistry
  • College: College of Arts and Sciences
  • Graduating Year: 2028
Class of 2027
Ava Wood
  • Hometown: Akron, OH
  • Major/Minor: Environmental Studies
  • College: College of Arts & Sciences
  • Graduating Year: 2027
Class of 2027
Azaria Presley
  • Hometown: Memphis, TN
  • Major/Minor: Philosophy Pre-Law
  • College: College of Arts and Sciences
  • Graduating Year: 2027
Class of 2026
Ben Christiansen
  • Hometown: Findlay, OH
  • Major/Minor: Communications with a minor in Marketing
  • College: Scripps College of Communication
  • Graduating Year: 2026
Class of 2026
Ben Tyler
  • Hometown: Camp Hill, PA
  • Major/Minor: International Business and Sport Management
  • College: College of Business
  • Graduating Year: 2026
Class of 2027
Grady Speegle
  • Hometown: Grove City, OH
  • Major/Minor: Pre-Law Political Science
  • College: College of Arts & Sciences
  • Graduating Year: 2027
Class of 2027
Jessica Chan
  • Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI
  • Major/Minor: Geographic Information Science
  • College: College of Arts and Sciences
  • Graduating Year: 2027
Class of 2026
Katie Murphy
  • Hometown: Wilmington, OH
  • Major/Minor: Communication Studies with a minor in Screenwriting & Digital Storytelling
  • College: Scripps College of Communication
  • Graduating Year: 2026
Class of 2025
Luke Torres
  • Hometown: Columbus, OH
  • Major/Minor: Sport Management
  • College: College of Business
  • Graduating Year: 2025
Class of 2026
Samuel Fuji
  • Hometown: Galena, OH
  • Major/Minor: Geography Environmental Pre-Law and Political Science
  • College: College of Arts and Sciences
  • Graduating Year: 2026
Class of 2026
Sara Weller
  • Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
  • Major/Minor: Wildlife and Conservation Biology
  • College: College of Arts and Sciences
  • Graduating Year: 2026
Class of 2026
Sheridan Schauer
  • Hometown: Wooster, OH
  • Major/Minor: Psychology with a minor in Sociology and a certificate in Forensics
  • College: College of Arts and Sciences
  • Graduating Year: 2026
Class of 2026
Shrinidhi Vaideeswaran
  • Hometown: Atlanta, GA
  • Major/Minor: International Business and Business Analytics with a certificate in Human Resource Management
  • College: College of Business
  • Graduating Year: 2026

Previous Presidential Ambassadors

  • 2024-2025 Cohort


    Colby Berry

    Christine Blay

    Luke Bradshaw

    William Chiacchira

    Ben Christiansen

    Delaney Evans

    Jess Mitchell

    Hadiya Ray

    Harshita Singhania

    Grady Speegle

    Luke Torres

    Ben Tyler

    Justin Williams

    Ava Wood