SUNY College Access Ambassador Application

SUNY is pleased to announce that applications are open for the inaugural cohort of the SUNY College Access Ambassadors! Launching in July 2026, the SUNY College Access Ambassadors is a new SUNY initiative to strengthen college-going and FAFSA completion efforts across New York State by recognizing, elevating, and leveraging the expertise of high school counselors doing exceptional work in these areas. The program will recognize and support counselors demonstrating strong early college access work, including driving high FAFSA completion rates and rates of college-going among their students. In addition, the program aims to identify and elevate effective best practices across the counseling community and share those broadly with counselors, students, and families.

Individuals selected will serve one calendar year and receive the title of “SUNY College Access Ambassador” by the SUNY Chancellor and receive a $7,500 stipend that can be used to support their work in any way they choose.

Ambassadors will be willing to share their talents, tools, and resources with the counseling community in New York State. Sharing may include presenting at regional SUNY counselor programming (OpInform), recording student/parent focused videos, or contributing to content to be distributed to the school counseling community.
The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 18.

Applicant Information

Last Name

First Name

*Hidden Full Name

Email Address

*Hidden Email

*Hidden Device Type

Personal Phone

*Hidden Device 2 Type

What type of organization are you employed by?

Search and select your Primary Employer

Confirm CEEB Code matches your Primary Employer

Name of Primary Employer

Mailing Address of Primary Employer

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

What is your role?

If other, please describe.

In 300 words or less, describe why you should be recognized and serve as a SUNY College Access Ambassador.

Philosophy and Tactics

Please answer the following short-answer questions. Answers should be no more than 300 words in length and, where possible, include specific information on philosophy, tactics used, individuals impacted, and data.

Provide a specific example of your best work in the past year and in your career overall to strengthen early college planning, FAFSA completion, and/or college-going outcomes. Please share any quantitative or qualitative data that help illustrate the impact of your work in your school community.

Describe two pieces of advice you would give an individual, new to the school counseling profession, to promote college-going behavior and FAFSA completion among their students.

Describe one example of the kind of strategies, events, content, tools, or resources you have developed or deployed to increase college-going and FAFSA completion.

Statement of Support

Finalists will be asked to submit a statement of support from a school administrator, district leader, peer, or community organization. This individual should be able to speak to your accomplishments and contributions in the areas of supporting students and families in identifying best fit and match colleges, applying to colleges, and completing the FAFSA. Please provide contact details.

Statement of Support Name

Statement of Support Email Address

Special Consideration

Do you speak, read, or write in languages other than English?

Yes

No

List additional languages and respective fluency.