Dairy Ambassador Scholarship Program

Geographic Scope: Indiana

Program Purpose

The purpose of American Dairy Association Indiana Inc.'s dairy ambassador program is to select five students ranging from high school seniors to college undergraduates to serve as Indiana Dairy Ambassadors. Students will be selected for their abilities to communicate with the general public about dairy farming, dairy nutrition and modern agricultural practices.

Eligibility

• Target: High school seniors to college undergraduates
• Residency: Students must be either attending a university in Indiana or be residents of Indiana
• Geographic Preference: Students who are residents of Indiana but attending a school outside Indiana may apply, although preference will be given to students who are reasonably able to attend events in Indiana and who demonstrate a commitment to Indiana's dairy industry, now and in the future
• Major: Students are not required to be majoring in a dairy-related field, although it is considered an advantage in the application process

Award Details

• Total Scholarship: $2,500 paid in installments over one year of service
• Installment Schedule:
  • Upon selection: $500
  • March: $500
  • July: $500
  • Upon completion (December): $1,000
• Funding Uses: Award funds are intended to be used to pay for tuition fees, textbooks and living expenses while attending an accredited university and while on a degree path
• Note: Students selected who do not fulfill their responsibilities as ambassadors will not receive the full scholarship amount

Term of Service

• Duration: One year (January 1 - December 31)
• Time Commitment: Approximately 3 hours per month for monthly assignments
• Notification Timeline: Applicants will be notified in December (prior year), with terms of service for the five ambassadors beginning January 1 and running until December 31

Participation Requirements

• Complete one activity or assignment each month
• Activities designed to take students approximately 3 hours or less per month
• Some months may involve traveling activities or events
• Maintain communication with ADAI staff via email, private Facebook group, and/or regularly scheduled conference calls or webinars
• Missing assignments require notice and reason; multiple missed assignments or missed without notice can result in suspension of privileges
• Notify ADAI of any intention to change universities while participating
• Notify ADAI of any change of major that includes a change in collegiate department (e.g., Pre-Pharmacy to Education requires notification, but Ag Economics to Ag Business does not)

Important Notes

• ADAI will make efforts not to create activities that are burdensome or impede students' ability to attend courses and complete coursework
• Students who are planning to major in a dairy-related field and change their majors after being accepted are required to notify ADAI, but it will not endanger their scholarship funding

Application Process

The application is a multi-step online form with 6 sections. Applicants can save progress between pages.

Step 1: Personal Information (16% progress)

• Full name (first and last)
• Current address (street, city, state, ZIP)
• Permanent address (street, city, state, ZIP)
• Cell phone
• Other phone (optional)
• Email

Step 2: School and Academic Information

• Current school (high school students include current school and planned university)
• Major (or planned college major)
• Academic classification (year in school)
• Date of anticipated graduation

Step 3: Resume Submission (20 points)

• Required: Attach a resume (max 50 MB file size)
• Length: Up to two pages (can be one-page standard resume plus one additional page of accomplishments)
• Suggested content: Club involvements, academic honors, employment, volunteer positions, involvement in the dairy industry, and any achievements

Step 4: Essay Questions (40 points)

• Format: Essay form with maximum 500 words per essay
• Question 1: What makes you passionate about dairy?
• Question 2: What do you think the average grocery shopper needs to know about how dairy foods are produced, handled and processed?

Step 5: Multimedia Submission (40 points)

• Video Requirements: Create a short video under two minutes introducing yourself
• Content: Tell background and involvement in the dairy industry; let personality shine
• Evaluation Criteria: Emphasis placed on content, presentation and creativity
• Platform: Upload video to YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar and paste link
• Video Description: Describe equipment and resources used (recording device, editing software, outside help)
• Important Note: Professional filming or editing help is not allowed

Step 6: References

• Required: Two letters of reference from non-family members (max 50 MB each)
• Information Needed for Each Reference:
  • Reference name (first and last)
  • Company or place of business
  • Position
  • Daytime phone
  • Email
• Note: Both references may be contacted to speak on qualifications

Additional Information

• How did you hear about this opportunity? (Select all that apply: Social media, Website, Academic advisor, School club, Email, Other)
• If "Other" selected, provide details
• CAPTCHA verification required

Contact

All questions about the Dairy Ambassador Scholarship Program can be addressed to Meg Magsamen, 317-842-3060.