City of Bowling Green announces Downtown Ambassador Academy cohort
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The City of Bowling Green has announced the second Downtown BGKY Ambassador Academy cohort.
The city says the free program connects Western Kentucky University students with leadership initiatives, community service and professional development in the downtown area.
Officials say the program offers sessions featuring nonprofits, arts, entertainment, civic engagement, government services, business and economic development and leadership.
Students meet community leaders, gain hands-on experience at venues and events and complete a capstone project benefiting downtown.
A new part of the program this year includes extending the program by one month to allow for a session on local education and academia, giving participants more time to complete their community capstone project, according to the city.
In addition, the city says the initiative partners with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, downtown business and local attractions.
Officials say its goal is to encourage WKU graduates to build careers and their lives locally.
The initiative has several sponsors, including Mellow Mushroom, American Bank & Trust, Warren County Government, the WKU Student Government Association and more.
Forty-one applications were reviewed by a panel of both city and WKU staff. Representing four of WKU’s academic colleges and over 21 fields of study, the city is announcing the following group of 20 students, along with their majors and minors, selected for the second class of Downtown BGKY Ambassadors:
● Ryan Hampton, Business Management
● Emma Hardesty, Political Science
● Cassandra Jagat, Mechanical Engineering, with Business Administration
● Michelle Ramos, Public Health
● Rylan Westerfield, Legal Studies and Criminology, with Health Science
● Kole Ripley, Political Science and Psychology
● Jakob Barker, Mathematical Economics, with Mathematics
● Ayanna Jones, Health Sciences
● Abigail Wissing, Journalism and Political Science
● Elizabeth Allen, Professional Legal Studies and Legal Studies
● De’Anasia Johnson, Business Management, with Healthcare Administration
● Robert Cherry, Finance
● Devin Frazier, Biochemistry and Philosophy, with Chemistry
● Riziki Eboha, Business Management
● Alyson Johnson, International Affairs, Political Science, and Legal Studies
● Maggie Cassady, Business Management
● Addison Bonham, International Affairs and Economics
● Addyson Toms, Marketing
● Rahabu Tumaini, Business Management
● Ariana Karapetyan, Political Science, with Journalism
Congratulations to all! The academy kickoff and orientation is Sept. 30.
