We hope you are in the process of selecting your 2026 WTCS Ambassador. When making your selection, please consider choosing a student who:

• Can firmly commit to attending in person, arriving by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, and staying through noon on Friday, April 17, 2026.
• Preferably will not be graduating in May 2026, to allow for full participation in Ambassador activities throughout the following year.

Ambassador Scholarship

The 2026 WTCS Ambassador scholarship amount will remain at $1,250. Feel free to promote this scholarship to help generate student interest in the Ambassador opportunity.

Selection & Submission Timeline

Please ensure your Ambassador is selected and their information is submitted no later than February 27, 2026. Early submission is highly encouraged and greatly appreciated.

Upon selection, please submit your Ambassador's information using the provided Microsoft Form. This information is essential for:

• Ordering awards
• Website recognition
• Hotel reservations
• Direct communication with Ambassadors

Headshot Submission

Each submission must include at least one professional, high-resolution headshot of your Ambassador:

• Minimum size: 5" x 7"
• Orientation: Portrait
• Format: Full color, JPG, JPEG or PNG
• Resolution: 300 dpi minimum

Please upload the image(s) to Dropbox. For questions regarding image submission, contact Katy Pettersen at katy.pettersen@wtcsystem.edu.

Scholarship Processing

To receive a scholarship, each 2026 WTCS Ambassador must complete and submit a W-9 form in a timely manner. This form will be sent directly to Ambassadors via Adobe Sign by Julie Drake once they are registered.

If your Ambassador is currently in the United States on a J-1, F-1 or M-1 Visa, please contract Stephanie Glynn at stephanie.glynn@wtcsystem.edu for further guidance.

2026 Registration - Leadership Development & Banquet
(Note: Two separate registration sites)

The registration sites contain all event details, including instructions for making hotel reservations. All hotel rooms will be released on March 15, 2026.

Julie Drake will reserve and pay for Ambassadors' hotel rooms (single occupancy) for Wednesday and Thursday nights only, funded by Baird.

Registration Instructions

• Ambassadors & Coordinators Only
  Please register for the Leadership Development and Ambassador Banquet via the Microsoft Teams registration site by March 2, 2026. WTCS will invoice your college for attendees at $100 per person. !! Do not register any guests (including those accompanying Ambassadors) on this site. Guest registration is handled separately.
• All Other Banquet Attendees
  Guests of Ambassadors and college representatives should register for the Ambassador Banquet only via the Banquet Registration Site by March 31, 2026.

Ambassador Position Description 

This description is intended to promote awareness of the WTCS Ambassador role and demystify expectations at the System level. It does not include responsibilities or expectations that may be set by individual colleges.

Additional resources and information about the WTCS Ambassador Program are available to coordinators and prospective Ambassadors.

Next Steps After Selection and Registration 

Once your 2026 WTCS Ambassador is selected and registered, we will follow up with the Ambassador (copying you), to share:

• A congratulatory letter from WTCS President Layla Merrifield
• A draft agenda for April 15-17
• Banquet speech preparation guidelines

Common Questions

Q: Are apprenticeship students eligible to be WTCS Ambassadors?

A: Yes, Apprenticeship students are eligible, provided they can fully participate in the Leadership Development sessions and the Ambassador Banquet.

Q: Can Ambassadors bring family members?

A: Yes, family and friends are welcome to join (at the college's or individual's personal expense). However, all scheduled activities and meals - except the banquet (Thursday evening) - are reserved for Ambassadors only. Families may dine independently at Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Company upstairs. The reserved downstairs room is exclusively for Ambassadors and Coordinators.

Q: Can Ambassadors share their hotel room with family or friends?

A: Yes, family and friends may stay in the same room. Please note that Baird funding covers $98 per night. The hotel charges $119 per night for for double, triple, quad occupancy. If more than four guests are staying, a two-bedroom deluxe suite (sleeps up to seven) is required at a rate of $259 per night, which must be covered by the college or personal funds.

Please adhere to the following deadlines for the 2026 WTCS Ambassador Program:

• February 27 - Ambassador Information Submission
• March 2 - Leadership Development & Banquet Registration Ambassadors and Coordinators ONLY - Guests should NOT be registered here)
• March 6 - Upload at least one professional, high-resolution headshot of your Ambassador to Dropbox.
• March 15 - Hotel rooms will be released. Ensure all reservations are made prior to this date
  NOTE: Julie Drake will reserve hotel rooms for Ambassadors for the nights of April 15 and 16. These will be covered by the Baird sponsorship.
• March 31 - Banquet Registration for all attendees, including guests - EXCLUDES Ambassadors and Coordinators
• March 30 - Contact Stephanie if your Ambassador has scheduling conflicts on Friday, April 17, so they can record their Individual Testimony earlier in the day.

Full 2026 WTCS Ambassador Checklist - COMING SOON

2026-2029 WTCS Ambassador Leadership Development and Banquet Location and Dates

Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort, 45 Hillman Road, Wisconsin Dells, WI

2026
Leadership Development - April 15-17
Banquet - April 16

2027
Leadership Development - April 14-16
Banquet - April 15

2028
Leadership Development - April 5-7
Banquet - April 6

2029
Leadership Development - April 11-13
Banquet - April 12