Bowling Green Launches Inaugural Downtown BGKY Ambassador Program

Bowling Green, October 10, 2025

News Summary

Bowling Green has introduced the Downtown BGKY Ambassador Program, connecting WKU students with leadership and professional development opportunities. The program includes educational sessions, hands-on experiences with local leaders, and capstone projects that benefit downtown Bowling Green. With 24 students selected from diverse fields, this initiative aims to foster connections between the university and the community, culminating in a graduation ceremony in April.

Bowling Green has launched the inaugural cohort of the Downtown BGKY Ambassador Program, a unique initiative aimed at connecting Western Kentucky University (WKU) students with crucial leadership, community service, and professional development opportunities in the downtown area. This program is free to participants and is designed to cultivate a network of engaged young leaders while strengthening ties between WKU and the local community.

The Downtown BGKY Ambassador Program will encompass a range of educational sessions focused on various topics such as nonprofits, arts, entertainment, civic engagement, government services, business and economic development, and leadership. Participants will have the chance to engage directly with local community leaders and gain practical experience at various venues and events throughout Bowling Green.

Each of the 24 selected WKU students—which were chosen from a pool of 53 applications—will complete a capstone project designed to benefit downtown Bowling Green. These students represent all five WKU academic colleges, covering more than 16 diverse fields of study including strategic marketing, communication, biology, international affairs, and healthcare administration.

The Academy’s kickoff and orientation are scheduled for October 21, 2023, and will run through April, meeting six times over this period. Each session is expected to last between five and six hours and will take place at different local venues. This format is structured to provide maximum exposure to local businesses and organizations, enabling students to learn while promoting their experiences on social media.

Participants will also engage in activities directly related to economic development and will be given the opportunity to participate in a walking tour of downtown Bowling Green, including visits to key sites such as the Southern Queen Hotel and local breweries. The program will culminate in an April graduation ceremony, providing a formal conclusion to the ambassadors’ experience.

The Downtown Development Division for Bowling Green was introduced in 2021 to enhance economic development in the area, with specific efforts to assist students in finding part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities. The initiative is modeled after similar programs currently offered by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, including Leadership Bowling Green and Bowling Green Young Professionals.

This program not only aims to equip WKU students with essential skills and experiences but also seeks to foster meaningful relationships and a sense of community among young professionals in Bowling Green.

Key Features of the Downtown BGKY Ambassador Program:

• Free program for WKU students
• Inaugural cohort includes 24 students from diverse academic backgrounds
• Educational sessions covering various leadership and professional development topics
• Hands-on experience with local leaders and businesses
• Capstone project benefiting downtown Bowling Green
• Structured walking tours of notable downtown locations
• Program concludes with a graduation ceremony in April

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Additional Resources

• WNKY: City of Bowling Green Announces First Downtown Ambassador Academy Cohort
• WBKO: City of Bowling Green Announces First Cohort Downtown Ambassador Academy
• MSN: Applications Open for Med Center Health’s Summer Teen Ambassador Program
• Wikipedia: Leadership
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Service

Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER

The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.