Benefits of Becoming a U-CHaMP Ambassador

• Explore the academic programs offered at the School of Health Professions and be connected with resources to aid in the application process.
• Be matched with a mentor who is currently enrolled in a health professions program and gain firsthand insight into the student experience.
• Expand leadership skills and participate in shadowing experiences with health care providers.
• Enhance resume for college applications and future jobs.
• Gain invaluable experience learning about health disparities in underserved and rural communities across Kansas.

Who Can Be a U-CHaMP Ambassador?

• Rising juniors and seniors in high school.
• Community college students with an interest in transferring to a four-year pre-health or health professions program.
• Undergraduate students pursuing health professions careers.
• Adult non-traditional learners (including military veterans).

Eligibility

To be eligible as a U-CHaMP ambassador, students must meet the following requirements:

• Demonstrate a strong interest in learning about health professions programs and related careers.
• Be motivated to learn how health disparities and health care challenges affect underserved and rural communities.
• Be educationally or economically underserved, by meeting one of the following criteria: a) first-generation college student (neither parent has a four-year degree), b) attend or graduate from a high school with a high number of free and reduced lunch-eligible students, or c) meet income guidelines.

For questions about eligibility, please contact us.

Ambassador Activities

• Attend virtual presentations on topics such as health disparities, health care access, and benefits of working in underserved and rural communities, as well as academic success topics such as time management and study skills.
• Mentoring from a student currently enrolled in a health professions program.
• Connect with academic advisors from health professions programs and financial aid representatives.
• Shadowing experiences at a local health care facility.
• Join group sessions with students and faculty from programs in the School of Health Professions.

Activities may change based on school resources and community resources.

Complete the application form to become a U-CHaMP ambassador. Once completed, program staff will contact applicants to discuss eligibility and upcoming events. If you have questions, please email uchamp@kumc.edu or call 913-945-8978 (711 TTY).

APPLY TO BE AN AMBASSADOR!

As ambassadors progress in their educational journey and enter a program in the School of Health Professions, they are then eligible to apply for a unique scholarship to become a U-CHaMP scholar. As a scholar, a high level of commitment and engagement is required. Students are not required to be a U-CHaMP ambassador to apply to be a scholar. It is a competitive selection process.

U-CHaMP scholars are eligible for a scholarship of up to $10,000 per academic year for educational expenses. Students are required to reapply each year and may receive funding for a maximum of two years.

Scholars are required to participate in events about rural and underserved communities, assist in recruiting events and will be a mentor to a student who is interested in learning more about health professions and KU Medical Center. After being accepted into the program, students attend an orientation to explain expectations of being a U-CHaMP scholar and receiving a scholarship.

Scholar Activities

U-CHaMP Scholars agree to be active in the program by participating in the following: 

• Learning opportunities on health disparities and the unique health care needs of underserved and rural communities across Kansas.
• Assist with recruitment events virtually and in-person at KU Medical Center.
• Provide peer mentorship to U-CHaMP ambassadors.
• Participate in U-CHaMP asynchronous learning modules and a live, online discussion.
• Complete pre- and post-surveys.
• Present a poster highlighting program experiences and/or working with underserved communities at the annual U-CHaMP showcase event.
• Other activities as stated in the program guide and discussed at orientation.

Distinguished Scholar Program

For scholars who choose to pursue additional educational experiences, there is an opportunity to earn the U-CHaMP "distinguished scholar" designation. By combining classroom learning with hands-on, experiential learning, students can achieve this recognition.

Distinguished scholars earn a milestone noted on their official transcript, receive an honor cord to wear at graduation, and are awarded an official university certificate. More details are provided during U-CHaMP orientation.

REAL Experience

The REAL (Rural Explorer And Learner) Experience gives scholars the opportunity to participate in hands-on, experiential learning at a rural health care site. Students will engage in patient care, participate in clinical and research activities addressing rural health disparities, and discover how they can make a meaningful impact in an underserved community.

Eligibility

Before applying to be a U-CHaMP scholar, students must meet the following guidelines:

• Accepted into a KU School of Health Professions program for the upcoming academic year.
• Must qualify as educationally or economically underserved by meeting one of the following: a) first-generation college student (a parent/guardian does not have a four-year degree), b) attended or graduated from a high school with a high number of free and reduced lunch-eligible students, or c) meet income guidelines (the family’s income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level).
• Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in a Kansas rural or underserved community after completing School of Health Professions program.
• Evidence of leadership, service or experience related to rural or underserved populations.
• Students must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or permanent resident who possesses a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States.

Preference given to applicants who graduated from a Kansas high school. For questions about eligibility, please contact us.

Application Process

It is a competitive process to become a U-CHaMP scholar and a high level of commitment is required. Students must complete the U-CHaMP scholars application, provide one letter of support from an academic advisor or instructor, submit a CV/resume, and meet other requirements from the University of Kansas.

Students selected for this program demonstrate a strong commitment to strengthening the health care workforce and a passion for reducing health disparities in underserved communities throughout Kansas.

Scholar applications will be available in spring 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year.