what University of Florida JCAmbassdors do...

• Serve students in the UF College of Journalism and Communications through mentoring programs and tutoring services.



• Represent the JC College at campus events.




• Serve as hosts of the College for visiting alumni and potential students.

• Help strengthen journalism programs at Gainesville-area high schools.
  

one student's struggle...

Founding JCAmbassadors President Katie Reid initiated the effort to create a professional organization to represent the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications when she had difficulty getting into JOU 3101: Reporting.

After trying unsuccessfully for two semesters using UF's Integrated Student Information System (ISIS), Reid, now a journalism senior with a specialization in magazine, was told to show up at a lab to see if they could fit her in for the Summer C 2003 session.

When five students showed up for one spot in the lab, the instructor chose to draw from a hat to determine who could stay. Thinking this was a ridiculous selection process, Reid chose to do something about it.

"That was just one of many problems in the college," Reid said. "It represented the lack of quality in the atmosphere of the College Journalism and Communications, which doesn't align with the integrity of the college's academic program."

• 2003-2004 JCA President Katie Reid

an organization is born...

In spring 2003 after Reid made a proposal to the college's administrative council, Journalism and Communications Ambassadors became a bonafide UF student organization.

"Our ultimate goal is to form an official representative group for the college," Reid said.