Kennesaw State University’s President’s Parliament Student Ambassadors (PPSA) program, established in spring 2024 by the Division of University Advancement, aims to highlight student voices and experiences. The initiative selects 24 ambassadors each academic year through a competitive process. These students represent various academic disciplines and backgrounds.
“PPSA is something that unites all of our individual KSU stories into one powerful message,” said Ella Smith, an Honors public relations student from Cartersville, Georgia. Smith described her gold blazer as a symbol of belonging and service within the university.
The PPSA differs from traditional ambassador programs by focusing on authentic storytelling, strategic placement, and leadership development. Ambassadors are involved in more than 40 events annually and participate in monthly leadership workshops. Each ambassador is paired with opportunities that match their background and goals.
“We didn’t want a program where students simply smile and shake hands,” said Sean Brinkley Jr., assistant director of alumni engagement and co-creator of the PPSA program. “We built this from the ground up to ensure that students are meaningfully engaged and that alumni, donors, and friends of KSU see the direct, human impact of their support.”
Funding for the PPSA comes from the President’s Parliament, a giving society supporting scholarships through private donations. Donors such as KSU Trustee Heather Fortner ’99 view these contributions as impactful investments in students’ futures.
“I’ve always believed that education is the one investment no one can ever take away from you,” Fortner said. “It unlocks potential, drives generational change, and creates opportunities that ripple far beyond the individual. Supporting scholarships through the President’s Parliament allows me to invest in bright, motivated students whose success will not only uplift their own lives but also benefit our broader community. To me, it’s the highest return any investor could hope to generate.”
Ambassadors like Gavin Alvarez-Bynum have used their platform to support peers facing hardships. Alvarez-Bynum launched Students Overcoming Adversity with Resources (SOAR) after being inspired by interactions with KSU trustees and participation in university initiatives like ASCEND.
“I came to college with only the HOPE Scholarship,” Alvarez-Bynum said. “I didn’t have much, but I had a mission to succeed and to lift others up in the process. This program gave me the platform to do that.” He added about his work with SOAR: “That conversation changed me… It made me realize I wanted to create something that helps others rise the way I did.”
For some ambassadors, personal challenges shaped their involvement. Larisa Prieskorn chose KSU because it accommodated her medical needs after she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
“After my speech, a man walked up to me and told me that hearing my story gave him hope that college could be possible for his daughter,” Prieskorn said.
Patrick Underwood III found stability through his selection as an ambassador during a difficult time for his family.
“My dad got sick around the time I received the PPSA scholarship,” Underwood said. “I was working three jobs trying to make ends meet. This program gave me peace of mind and allowed me to focus on school.”
The President’s Parliament operates under the KSU Foundation, which provides over $5 million in annual scholarship support for students.
“Our students are who we are and who we will become — they are our purpose and what we are all about,” said Sheb True, KSU vice provost and President’s Parliament member. “The President’s Parliament Scholar Ambassadors’ engagement with the community shapes and grows the KSU brand.”
Sean Brinkley Jr., co-creator of PPSA, encouraged event attendees to connect with ambassadors: “If you attend a university event and see the gold blazers, take a moment to meet these inspiring students and hear how they’re shaping the future at KSU.”
