Next-Generation Global Leaders
The Global Ambassadors Program (GAP) is a university-wide initiative that invests global competency skills in the next generation of leaders. One student from each of LSU’s academic colleges will be selected annually to participate in a week of interdisciplinary study in West Africa. While there, students are immersed in the selected country’s rich artistic, environmental, and academic heritage and learn best practices for addressing critical global needs. Upon their return, the students serve as ambassadors on LSU’s campus, sharing their learnings with peers.
GAP is a collaboration between the LSU Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Global Engagement, and it reflects the university’s desire to graduate globally minded students.
Meet the 2025 Cohort
The cohort traveled to Dakar, Senegal where they had to opportunity to experience an emotional UNESCO heritage memorial site at Goree Island, a visit to the NBA Academy and SEED Project, a non-profit organization that uses basketball as a platform to engage youth in academic, athletic, and leaership programs.
The cohort also visited the Senegalese Street School, a non-profit non-traditional school for students and participated in a Community Service Project at Baie de Hann beach in Dakar.
The program leaders were Dr. Achim Hermann, Associate Professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, and Laura Dean, Director of Global Partnerships in the Office of Global Engagement.
Student Participants
| Student | College | Nominator |
| Abigail Soudelier | E.J. Ourso College of Business | E.J. Ourso College of Business |
| Aniya Hall | Manship School of Mass Communication | Manship School of Mass Communication |
| Emily Rivera | College of Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Emma DeMario | College of Art & Design | College of Art & Design |
| Emma Monroe | College of Humanities & Social Science | College of Humanities & Social Science |
| Jonathan Russell | College of Coast & Environment | Rodger Hadfield Ogden Honors College |
| Lucille Yoes | College of Coast & Environment | College of Coast & Environment |
| Nia Belle | College of Engineering | Office of Global Engagement |
| Ricardo Mendoza | College of Music & Dramatic Arts | College of Music & Dramatic Arts |
| Sneha Atluri | College of Human Sciences & Education | College of Human Sciences & Education |
| Sydney Lawson | College of Science | College of Science |
Past Cohorts
Meet the 2024 Cohort
The 2023-24 academic year marked GAP's inaugural year, and our first cohort included 10 students from across LSU's academic colleges.
Thanks to the generosity of the US Embassy in Accra, the cohort had the opportunity to attend a special two-hour session with US Foreign Service Officers in Ghana, discuss the role that an embassy plays in foreign policy, and explore career path options in the Foreign Service.
The program leaders were Dr. Helen A. Regis, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Anthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Laura Dean, Director of Global Partnerships in the Office of Global Engagement.
| Student | College | Nominator |
| Alexa Tullier | College of Science | College of Science |
| Bertha Campos | E.J. Ourso College of Business | E.J. Ourso College of Business |
| Carlos Sandoval | E.J. Ourso College of Business | Office of Global Engagement |
| Hamood Qureshi | College of Engineering | Rodger Hadfield Ogden Honors College |
| Jalia Martin | College of Music & Dramatic Arts | College of Music & Dramatic Arts |
| Julia Barkley | College of Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Marvin Scott | College of Art & Design | College of Art & Design |
| Maya Gunaldo | College of Human Sciences & Education | College of Human Sciences & Education |
| Sierra Moran | College of Coast & Environment | College of Coast & Environment |
| Zechariah Slade | Manship School of Mass Communication | Manship School of Mass Communication |
"Congratulations to all the students in this inaugural class of the Global Ambassadors. I know you will represent our university well on the world’s stage. [...] The insights and perspective you gain on this trip will greatly expand your understanding of the world and enrich the entire LSU community."
Dr. Clint Willson, Dean of LSU's College of the Coast and Environment