Community Engagement with the Franke Honors Ambassadors

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While the primary mission of Franke Honors Ambassadors is to share their Franke Honors experiences with prospective students, they are also deeply committed to community engagement. This past October, the Franke Honors Ambassadors hosted their first-ever large-scale philanthropy event in support of Survivor Shield, an organization dedicated to increasing access to resources for survivors of sexual and domestic violence in Southern Arizona.  

The event's success was made possible by Melissa Gingold ’24, a recent alumna of the Franke Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As one of the philanthropy chairs, Melissa played a key role in the organization of the event, which featured a kickball tournament fundraiser and a resource fair to raise awareness and support for Survivor Shield and other organizations across Tucson. To learn more about her role and leadership, we spoke with Melissa about her experience.  

What inspired you to pursue the role as a philanthropy chair in Franke Honors Ambassadors and why did you choose this event to support Survivor Shield? 

My passion for community service and advocacy inspired me to pursue the role of Philanthropy Chair for FHA. I wanted to create an event that united a diverse group of students around a shared purpose. A friendly competition combined with a fundraiser felt like the perfect way to bring everyone together for a meaningful cause. 

Now that you have graduated, how do you plan to use the skills and values you developed through FHA into your career and community involvement? 

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FHA has played a crucial role in shaping my leadership skills, particularly in team management and relationship building. FHA’s commitment to serving the W.A. Franke Honors College and the Tucson area has had a significant impact on campus and the broader Tucson community. Now that I have graduated, I am committed to continuing my leadership journey in my career and staying active in volunteer work within my community.  

How do you think philanthropy and service fit into the larger mission of the Franke Honors College? 

Philanthropy and service are core values deeply embedded in the Franke Honors Program. The W.A. Franke Honors College is committed not only to academic excellence but also to providing interdisciplinary, hands-on experiences that create a meaningful impact on the broader community. FHA upholds these values as student leaders within the Franke Honors College.