FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences has selected its new ambassador team for the upcoming academic school year.

The Bumpers College Ambassador program was established to enhance student development and leadership skills within the college. The program fosters interaction among Bumpers College student organizations, assists in Dean's Office activities and is active in student recruiting.

Ambassadors work both on-campus and off-campus recruiting activities. As representatives of the college, they portray to prospective students, parents and alumni the philosophy and benefits of enrollment in the Bumpers College.

Twelve Ambassadors have been selected for 2017-18:

• Zena Hicks, animal science, Chadwick, Missouri
• Kali Fleming, agricultural business, McCrory
• Brias Watson, agricultural education, communications and technology, Booneville
• Gage Dixon, animal science, Omaha
• Bodie Cotter, crop, soil, and environmental sciences, Mountain Home
• Mary Siebenmorgen, food science, Scranton
• Samuel Emerson, horticulture, Bentonville
• Will Morris, poultry science, Rockwall, Texas
• Claire Madison, apparel merchandising and product development, Dallas, Texas
• Samantha Findley, human nutrition and hospitality innovation, The Woodlands, Texas
• Julianna Whitson, human environmental sciences
• Sydney Smith, agricultural business, Beebe

Hicks is the lead ambassador, working closely with Michelle Pribbernow, coordinator of undergraduate student recruitment.

"This year's team will be focused heavily on recruitment and enhancing current students' experience in the college," said Pribbernow. "It is a great group and I'm excited to work with them."

Each Ambassador receives a scholarship from the Mr. and Mrs. Cy Carney Endowment.

The group recently met for the first time and established a vision statement for the coming year: "As student ambassadors, we establish dynamic relationships that cultivate knowledge, opportunity, diversity and excellence in current and future students."

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.