2026 Purdue animal sciences ambassadors application

Purpose

The Purdue Animal Sciences (ANSC) Ambassadors are selected student representatives and highly valued members of the outreach, departmental and alumni relations leadership team of Purdue Animal Sciences. ANSC Ambassadors represent Purdue Animal Sciences by communicating with potential students, alumni, employers, faculty and the public to promote goodwill within and for the department and university.

Activities

ANSC Ambassadors are directly involved in outreach, education and alumni relations. Serving as an ANSC Ambassador requires a significant commitment of effort and time to make Ambassador events and activities as effective as possible. ANSC Ambassadors design and deliver many of their events but also represent the department on numerous other occasions engaging prospective students, stakeholders and industry professionals.

criteria

Applicants must be full-time students with a major in the Department of Animal Sciences, have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours by the end of the current semester (Spring 2026), be in good academic standing and have at least two semesters of undergraduate study remaining.

application packet

Application packets must include:

  1. A one-page cover letter explaining why you want to be an ANSC Ambassador, what you will contribute to the mission of Purdue Animal Sciences and how you will manage your time for this commitment. 
  2. Responses to the following three prompts. Response should be no fewer than 250 words and no more than 500 words.
    1. Writing Prompt #1: You receive an email from a parent of a prospective high school student, Mrs. Smith, who you met during an Animal Sciences Preview Day. Mrs. Smith would like to know what kind of career options her student will have after graduating with degree in animal sciences besides veterinary medicine. Please draft an appropriate email response to her.
    2. Writing Prompt #2: On a tour, a student asks you about the ethicality of gestation crates and their use in industry. How would you respond to this individual? Justify your answer.
    3. Writing Prompt #3: The Animal Sciences Ambassadors consist of four committees. Which of these committees do you think you would fit into best? What new ideas would you bring to this committee that would advance the committee’s mission? (Review committee descriptions below).
  3. Two reference letters: Both letters must be from a Purdue faculty or staff member. Purdue staff members must have teaching, research, advisory or Extension roles. Strong letters usually address leadership capacity, commitment and ability to work in teams, among other attributes. If your reference letter writer would like to submit their letter themselves, please have them email their letter to Marion Welsh, welsh@purdue.edu.
  4. A resume highlighting your relevant skills and experiences.

Your packet (items listed above) must be received by Marion Welsh via email (welsh@purdue.edu) by March 25 at 5 p.m.

Applicants should include the name of their references in the application cover letter. The Screening Committee will review application packets and select applicants for an interview. Note that the Committee seeks applicants who work hard with a positive attitude, communicate well, respect others and think critically, with a clear motivation to promote Purdue Animal Sciences. Ambassadors are expected to lead but also collaborate and be supportive of the entire group’s efforts. Importantly, ANSC Ambassadors must always be respectful of both people and ideas.

Term

Selected ANSC Ambassadors will begin their service with the Animal Sciences Ambassadors in Fall of 2026. The success of the group is dependent upon everyone’s engagement in not only developing but also implementing effective programs. Thus, it is important to note that the group has an attendance policy for both meetings and events. Likewise, ANSC Ambassadors must remain ANSC students in good academic standing.

Schedule

  • March 25: Application packet due to Marion Welsh via email (welsh@purdue.edu) by 5 p.m.
  • April 2: Applicants notified of interviews
  • April 8: Applicants interviewed; new Ambassadors selected
  • April 10: Selectees notified

Have Questions?

Please contact Paul Ebner, ANSC Ambassador Advisor, at any time: pebner@purdue.edu; CRTN 1014

2026-2027 ANSC Ambassador activities

All Animal Sciences Ambassadors are expected to use their leadership and interpersonal skills to implement high-impact programs. Every ANSC Ambassador is expected to be an active member of the ANSC Ambassador Team, support one another and participate in all activities. Attendance at the group’s bi-weekly meetings, where ANSC Ambassadors share ideas and plan events, is mandatory. While each ANSC Ambassador serves on one committee, all ANSC Ambassadors are expected to contribute to the design, planning and implementation of different activities. There are currently four committees:

preview days committee

Choosing the right college or university can be both exciting and daunting. The Animal Sciences Ambassadors engage with prospective students and their families throughout the year to help them navigate this process to make the best decision possible. Each year, the Preview Days Committee plans and delivers their signature "Preview Days" events where prospective students and their families spend a Saturday (three per year) on-campus to learn more about the Purdue Animal Sciences program and community. Our guests see first-hand the different opportunities, resources and experiences available through Purdue Animal Sciences. Importantly, Preview Days are student-run events which allows prospective students and their families to directly engage with current students throughout the day to learn their perspectives on how to have the most successful undergraduate career.

Departmental relations (DR) Committee

The Department of Animal Sciences is the biggest in the College of Agriculture with a record 780 undergraduate students enrolled in the Fall of 2025. The Departmental Relations Committee organizes and facilitates departmental events aimed at creating a more engaged and welcoming Animal Sciences community and fostering lasting connections. Throughout the year, we host Porkpocalypse (pork cook-off), Wing Wars (sauce contest), de-stress events for students, faculty and staff appreciation breakfasts and many more.

mentoring committee

The Mentoring Committee is dedicated to supporting the growth and success of students within the department by fostering meaningful connections between peers, faculty and industry professionals. The committee aims to create a supportive environment by organizing mentoring programs, networking events and workshops that enhance personal and professional development. Additionally, the committee collaborates with all other Animal Sciences Ambassador committees to ensure our initiatives align with the department’s mission and positively impact the student experience.

boiler barnyard committee

Most people have little to no direct connection to agriculture and food animal production in particular. At the same time, many of these same people have a growing interest in how their food is produced. Each year, the Boiler Barnyard Committee plans and delivers the Boiler Barnyard as part of Purdue's Spring Fest which brings 30,000 people from surrounding communities to Purdue's campus to learn about agriculture and more. The Boiler Barnyard takes place in the Purina Pavillion of the Land O' Lakes Center for Experiential Learning and showcases live animals as well as the many animal sciences-related student organizations. Throughout the event, participants can directly engage with the animals, a first-time experience for most, while learning more about animal agriculture around the US.