2021 Spring/Summer Highlights of Hope

VAI PURPLE COMMUNITY
Student Ambassador Program
shapes community leaders
of tomorrow
At the start of the academic year, high school students from
across West Michigan came together virtually to learn leadership
skills and impart a lasting impact on research into diseases like
cancer and Parkinson’s.
These bright, young students are part of Van Andel Institute’s
Student Ambassador Program. They meet once a month over the
course of two semesters and hear directly from the Institute’s
world-class scientists, educators and staff about the important
research and education efforts happening at VAI. For the 2020–21
school year, there were 28 Student Ambassadors from 11 schools;
all meetings were hosted virtually.
By meeting with VAI scientists, Student Ambassadors learn about
the important biomedical research happening at the Institute and
gain insight into what it takes to run a research lab. They also hear
from Van Andel Institute for Education instructional specialists
about the latest trends in K–12 education. The students’ ultimate
goal is to apply what they’ve learned to launch a fundraiser, with
(STARTING AT THE BOTTOM LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE; PHOTOS TAKEN
PRIOR TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC) HOLLY BARKER, ISABELLA HARNISH,
EMILY DEAN, GRACE GEER, CAROL VAN ANDEL, BRIANNA VOLPE,
ABBY MILES, MARGARET BRUEMMER & KENDALL HALUCH; KENDALL
HALUCH; EMILY DEAN
“Our Student Ambassadors pour
their hearts into learning about
our Institute and how they can
support our mission to improve
the health of current and future
generations through research
and education.”
— Carol Van Andel
100% of the proceeds going directly to the Institute’s research and
educational programs.
When meeting with Institute staff, the students explore topics like
how to craft a communications plan to reach the right audiences
for their fundraiser and how to gain fundraising support from
business sponsors. The Student Ambassadors also are mentored
12 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE