Bowling Green, September 29, 2025
News Summary
The City of Bowling Green has introduced the Downtown Ambassador Academy, engaging 25 WKU students to foster community connections. This program includes six sessions covering economic development and collaboration with local businesses. Students will present projects to promote engagement with downtown Bowling Green, enhancing their connection to the local culture and resources.
Bowling Green Launches Downtown Ambassador Academy
The City of Bowling Green has officially launched the Downtown Ambassador Academy program aimed at engaging 25 Western Kentucky University (WKU) students with their local community throughout the academic year. The initiative seeks to enhance student involvement in the culture and operations of downtown Bowling Green.
WKU student Caden Lucas was instrumental in bringing this program to fruition, emphasizing the need to connect students with local institutions vital for the downtown area’s success. The program consists of six sessions, scheduled from October to April, each lasting between five to six hours. During these sessions, students will have the chance to interact with various businesses, nonprofits, and governmental entities that play a crucial role in the operation of downtown Bowling Green.
Key topics covered in the sessions will include economic development, as well as opportunities for students to connect with downtown businesses and the chamber of commerce. The aim is to familiarize students with the different venues, restaurants, and community resources available in the area. Telia Butler, the Downtown Development Coordinator for Bowling Green, highlighted the program’s objective of introducing students to various local sites and promoting engagement.
Participants will also work in collaboration with a local business or nonprofit to create a project that they will present at the end of the program in spring. Possible projects may range from organizing volunteer events to developing social media campaigns that promote local businesses. This hands-on component is designed to foster a deeper connection between WKU students and the downtown community.
Those students interested in becoming ambassadors are encouraged to fill out an online application form to be part of this initiative. The Downtown Ambassador Academy is designed to create lasting connections, enhancing the relationship between students and the city they live in during their academic journey.
Community Engagement Initiatives
The launch of the Downtown Ambassador Academy coincides with other community engagement efforts in Bowling Green. Recently, President Michelle Trawick was introduced at a reception for the Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKyCTC), where she discussed the importance of workforce solutions and community involvement.
In another initiative, WKU’s Student Government Association (SGA) partnered with the City of Bowling Green and the Bowling Green Police Department to commemorate Constitution and Citizenship Day. This event involved the reading of a dual proclamation by the Warren County Fiscal Court and the Bowling Green Board of Commissioners, as well as the distribution of pocket-sized U.S. and Kentucky constitutions to students.
The goal of this event was to increase voter participation among students while also facilitating campus voting for local elections. The event included a presentation on the Voting Rights Act delivered by Dr. Keith Gaddie, a political science professor at WKU. Downtown BGKY aims to promote local businesses and events to attract more students to the downtown area.
The City of Bowling Green encourages students to recognize their important role in the community and offers a variety of opportunities for internships and employment. President Trawick has emphasized the need for adaptable programming to meet workforce demands and create pathways for student success, thus ensuring that educational offerings at SKyCTC are responsive to local workforce trends.
Summary of the Downtown Ambassador Academy
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Downtown Ambassador Academy |
| Number of Participants | 25 WKU Students |
| Focus Areas | Economic Development, Local Business Engagement, Community Collaboration |
| Session Schedule | October to April, Six Sessions |
| Project Component | Collaboration with Local Businesses/Nonprofits |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Downtown Ambassador Academy?
The Downtown Ambassador Academy is a program launched by the City of Bowling Green aimed at connecting 25 Western Kentucky University (WKU) students with their local community during the school year.
How many sessions does the program consist of?
The program consists of six meetings scheduled from October to April, each lasting five to six hours.
What will students work on during the program?
Students will collaborate with a local business or nonprofit to create a project, which they will present upon completion of the program in the spring. Potential projects could include volunteering events or social media campaigns promoting local businesses.
How can students apply to become ambassadors?
Students interested in becoming ambassadors are encouraged to fill out an online application form.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WBKO: City of Bowling Green Launches Downtown Ambassador Academy
- Toledo Blade: Bowling Green Hosts Families for Homecoming Game
- Ohio Tech News: BGSU Launch
- BG Daily News: Community Welcomes New SKyCTC President Michelle Trawick
- WNKY: WKU Student Government Association Partners with Bowling Green
- Wikipedia: Bowling Green, Kentucky
- Google Search: Bowling Green
- Google Scholar: Bowling Green Community Engagement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bowling Green
- Google News: Bowling Green Ambassador Academy
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