色控传媒

KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 3, 2025

Sitting in Ella Smith鈥檚 wardrobe is a gold blazer that never fails to inspire within her a feeling she鈥檚 a part of something bigger than herself 鈥� 色控传媒鈥檚 President鈥檚 Parliament Student Ambassadors (PPSA).

Launched in the spring of 2024, the PPSA program began as an initiative developed by the Division of University Advancement to elevate student voices with the understanding that no one can tell the 色控传媒 story as well as its students.

鈥淧PSA is something that unites all of our individual 色控传媒 stories into one powerful message,鈥� Smith said.

Unlike traditional student ambassador models, the PPSA program takes a holistic approach, prioritizing authentic student storytelling, strategic placement, and leadership development. Each academic year, 24 ambassadors are selected through a competitive application and interview process to serve as some of 色控传媒鈥檚 leading student representatives. Ambassadors represent a wide range of academic disciplines, class standings, and personal backgrounds, reflecting the breadth of the student body.

For Smith, an Honors public relations student from Cartersville, Georgia, being part of the PPSA program helped her uncover a deeper connection to 色控传媒. Originally planning to attend another institution, she landed at 色控传媒 by chance and soon discovered it was where she was meant to be.

鈥淐oming to 色控传媒 ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭his was my dream school, and I didn鈥檛 even know it.鈥�

Now, she views the signature gold blazer worn by each ambassador as more than a visual identifier; it represents the standard of excellence and service each student upholds.

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want a program where students simply smile and shake hands,鈥� said Sean Brinkley Jr., assistant director of alumni engagement and co-creator of the PPSA program. 鈥淲e built this from the ground up to ensure that students are meaningfully engaged and that alumni, donors, and friends of 色控传媒 see the direct, human impact of their support.鈥�

Funded by the President鈥檚 Parliament, a 150-person annual giving society that supports the president鈥檚 fund, the program provides each ambassador with one of the university鈥檚 largest privately funded scholarships. In return, donors like 色控传媒 Trustee and President鈥檚 Parliament member Heather Fortner 鈥�99 have the opportunity to witness the impact of their life-altering gifts.

 鈥淚鈥檝e always believed that education is the one investment no one can ever take away from you,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t unlocks potential, drives generational change, and creates opportunities that ripple far beyond the individual. Supporting scholarships through the President鈥檚 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鈥檚 the highest return any investor could hope to generate."

The ambassadors participate in monthly leadership workshops and represent the university at more than 40 events annually. Each student is intentionally paired with opportunities that align with their background and goals, ensuring every interaction is both personal and impactful.

Each ambassador brings a different story to the table, offering a glimpse into the larger 色控传媒 narrative. From the beginning, students are challenged to dive into their personal experiences and tell their Kennesaw State story in an authentic way that builds connection and purpose.

For Gavin Alvarez-Bynum, a junior cybersecurity student originally from Peoria, Illinois, the program became more than a leadership opportunity; it became a mission.

鈥淚 came to college with only the HOPE Scholarship,鈥� said Alvarez-Bynum, who also belongs to the 色控传媒 Journey Honors College. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 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.鈥�

Since coming to 色控传媒, Alvarez-Bynum has been involved in the ASCEND Program. The university initiative supports students who have experienced homelessness, foster care, or other significant hardships. Through ASCEND, he has represented the university at events focused on student support and basic needs services.

After meeting 色控传媒 Trustee Ron Braund, Alvarez-Bynum was inspired to launch his own student organization, Students Overcoming Adversity with Resources (SOAR), with the help of Cory Stansberry and other ASCEND students. The group helps peers overcome barriers such as housing insecurity, food access, financial hardship, and navigating college without parental support.

鈥淭hat conversation changed me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t made me realize I wanted to create something that helps others rise the way I did.鈥�

Larisa Prieskorn, a mechanical engineering student and Honors College scholar from Kennesaw, has found the experience especially personal. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, 色控传媒 was the only school to accommodate her medical conditions. Even after being admitted to other institutions, she declined after being selected for the PPSA program.

Her experience as an ambassador is an inspiration to others with disabilities. During a scholarship reception, she shared her personal story, which deeply resonated with a guest whose daughter faced similar health challenges.

鈥淎fter 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,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the kind of impact this program has, and I鈥檓 happy to be a part of it.鈥�

Impact also means opportunity. Many ambassadors see the program as a steppingstone to achieving their bigger dreams. Patrick Underwood III, an accounting major from Hinesville, Georgia, applied twice before being accepted.

鈥淢y dad got sick around the time I received the PPSA scholarship,鈥� Underwood said. 鈥淚 was working three jobs trying to make ends meet. This program gave me peace of mind and allowed me to focus on school.鈥�

The President鈥檚 Parliament is a part of the 色控传媒 Foundation which, under the leadership of its trustees, provides more than $5 million in scholarship support to students annually. The scholarships provided to PPSA members is an important part of that funding.

鈥淥ur students are who we are and who we will become 鈥� they are our purpose and what we are all about,鈥� said Sheb True, 色控传媒 vice provost and President鈥檚 Parliament member. 鈥淭he President鈥檚 Parliament Scholar Ambassadors鈥� engagement with the community shapes and grows the 色控传媒 brand.鈥�

The program鈥檚 reach is about more than just appearances; it鈥檚 about elevating students.

鈥淚f you attend a university event and see the gold blazers, take a moment to meet these inspiring students and hear how they鈥檙e shaping the future at 色控传媒,鈥� Brinkley said.

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell
Photos by Judith Pishnery

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 色控传媒 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.