• When: Feb 9- May 4, 2024
  • For: 18-19 year old Kansas State University undergrads
  • Format: Online self-paced lessons plus monthly group meetings
  • Earn: Gift Cards & Certificate
  • Apply: Submit a short application - see essay questions below
Write your awesome label here.

Scroll down to learn more & apply by February 1st at 11:59pm CST!

Relationship & Interpersonal Skills Educational (RISE) Ambassador Program

The RISE (Relationship & Interpersonal Skills Education) Ambassador Leadership Program through the Department of Applied Human Sciences provides Kansas State University students who are 19 years old and younger an opportunity to expand their own understanding of relationship and mental well-being and communicate that knowledge to others. The 3-month experience will include interactive learning material, encourage the exploration of your own relationships, allow for collaboration with peers and mentors, and develop leadership skills to promote and advocate for relational well-being.  
Empty space, drag to resize

Develop essential knowledge about self-esteem, mental health, communication, conflict resolution, stress management, healthy relationships, and healthy sexuality. 

Collaborate with our team of relationship researchers, therapists, and coaches to learn how to use these skills to promote mental health and relational well-being. 

Promote open expression of experience and learning within a climate of courtesy, sensitivity, and mutual respect for all persons. 

Required Program Activities

Workshops
Surveys
Curriculum
Collaboration Teams

Two Synchronous Workshops

On campus students will meet in person while Global Campus students will meet on zoom. 

Program Kick-Off

Friday, February 9, 2024 
4:00 - 5:30 pm CST
The kick-off meeting will provide instructions for completing the program components, begin the curriculum, and build the groundwork for your collaboration teams.

Program Wrap-Up

Friday, May 3, 2024
4:00 - 5:30 pm CST
The wrap-up meeting will involve completing the final curriculum components, presenting the work from your  collaboration teams and celebrating!

Two Online Surveys

Surveys will be completed online and will be anonymous other than a code to used to link your surveys.

Pre-Survey

Complete by Feb. 9th at 4pm.
Once selected, your first step will be to complete an introductory survey prior to the Program Kick-off (~1 month). The survey will gather information about your relationship knowledge, beliefs, & experiences.

Post-Survey

After you have completed the program, you will complete a post-survey to receive your certificate. These surveys help us understand how to adapt the curriculum to better match student experiences and improve effectiveness.

Online Curriculum

The program curriculum will be accessed online through LearnWorlds where you will also be able to message your coaches, meet with your team, and post discussions. There are 15 levels (about 1 hour each) divided into 3 sections to be completed at your own pace each month. All 15 levels must be completed prior to the final program reflection in order to be awarded the ambassadorship.  

Levels 1-5 

Complete prior to 1st Collaboration Team Meeting
Understanding your experiences, identities, past influences, stress response, and how to build resilience 

Levels 6-10

Complete prior to 2nd Collaboration Team Meeting
Values & vision, characteristics of supportive relationships, communication, conflict resolution, attraction, and sexual safety 

Levels 11-15

Completed prior to 3rd Collaboration Team Meeting
Sexual health & choices, recognizing and responding to relationship violence, ending relationships safely, and creating the future you want

Collaboration Teams

Collaboration Teams will work together to think through how to use the information they are learning to create positive change towards better relationship and mental health in their own lives as well as in the lives of people they care about and their communities.

  • Empowerment groups will be led by a #RelationshipGoals Coach.
  • Groups will be formed through random assignment.
  • You will meet as a group at 4 times (including during the initial full program meeting) before the final program wrap-up.
  • The time and date of your Collaboration Team zoom meetings will be decided collaboratively amongst your group members and coach. 
Empty space, drag to resize

How to Apply

ApplICATION DUE February 1st, 2023 BY 11:59PM cst
If you will be 19 years old or younger at the start of the program (February 9, 2024) and are able to participate in all program requirements listed above, click the link below to complete a brief questionnaire with your responses to the four prompts below to apply (<250 words each). No previous knowledge or experience are required, just a desire to improve your own and others' relationship and mental health. 
  • From your perspective, what is important about having healthy relationships in your life? 
  • What do you hope to learn about comprehensive relationship education? 
  • How would this ambassadorship best support your future goals?  
  • If selected as an ambassador, how do you hope to use the information you learn to create change in your life and communities? 
If you have questions about the RISE Ambassador program or application, please contact Dr. Amber Vennum (avennum@ksu.edu) or Dr. Michelle Toews (mltoews@ksu.edu).

Meet Your Coaches

All coaches are couple and family therapy graduate students with expertise in healthy relationship development.

Annie

“Relationships are an integral part of today’s society. It is important to know what healthy habits look like when communicating with a partner. It is also crucial for teens and young adults to understand red flags in relationships of any kind! I believe it is never too early to learn what makes a relationship healthy and safe!”

Eliana

"Understanding how to form and maintain healthy relationships are key elements to having a fulfilling and successful life. I love working with the #RelationshipGoals participants because we get to learn more about ourselves while having discussions about relationships."

Paige

"The #RelationshipGoals project is important because it allows time and space to understand ourselves and how to engage with others in a way that feels safe.
I am excited to help deliver accurate information and resources for teens and young adults."

Zenobia

"I am really excited to be part of the #RelationshipGoals project because I see how information about navigating the teen years and forming healthy relationships is so meaningful, applicable, and helpful. I would have loved this information and support when I was a teen and I am glad I get to be part of others' journeys."