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Smithsonian Latino Center Young Ambassadors Program

Ford Motor Company Fund proudly supports the Smithsonian Center Young Ambassadors Program.  Program information is now available.

 

Background: The Smithsonian Latino Center’s Young Ambassadors Program is a national, interdisciplinary leadership program for high school students gifted in the arts, sciences, or humanities. The mission of the program is to foster the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities via the Smithsonian Institution and its resources.

Up to 24 graduating high school seniors with an interest and commitment to disciplines in the arts, sciences, or humanities as it pertains to Latino communities and cultures will be selected. The students will travel to Washington, D.C. for a week-long all expensed paid training and leadership seminar at the Smithsonian Institution. The training seminar encourages youth to explore and understand Latino identity and embrace their own cultural heritage. Following the training seminar, students participate in a four-week interdisciplinary education internship in museums and other cultural institutions in their local communities, including Smithsonian-affiliated organizations. A program stipend will be given at the completion of the 5-week program. Through the program, we empower Latino youth to develop leadership and academic skills. Please download the application guidelines for more details. This program is made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.

 

OVERVIEW

Participation in the Young Ambassadors Program is underwritten by Ford Motor Company Fund and includes meals and accommodations for the duration of the one-week training seminar, round-trip travel costs to Washington, D.C., and a program stipend. Students selected are responsible for all expenses during the four-week internship, including transportation, accommodations, and meals. 

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive $2,000 towards their higher education. Students that do not complete the training seminar and four-week internship will not receive the program stipend.

 

CRITERA

Up to 24 participants are selected through a competitive process, guided by a selection committee comprised of museum and education professionals. The selection committee evaluates each application based on the following criteria: 

  • Excellence in the:
    • Arts (film, visual, performing, design, etc.);
    • Sciences (natural, biological, chemical, planetary, etc.); or
    • Humanities (language, literature, social sciences, etc.)
  • Academic record
  • Leadership experience
  • Commitment to education
  • Community service

 

ELIGIBILITY

Admission is competitive. To be eligible for the program, you must: 

  • Be a high school senior graduating in 2011
  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States with a valid Social Security Number at the time of application
  • Have a minimum weighted cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
  • Be fluent in English
  • Commit to participate in the one-week training seminar at the Smithsonian Institution and complete a four-week paid summer internship
  • Be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program at a four-year accredited college or university (enrollment will be verified in the fall)

 

For more information or to apply, visit: https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html.