Conference Services
Conference ambassadors live and work on campus during the summer to support University Housing's many camps and conferences.
Become a Conference Ambassador
Our Conference Ambassadors (CA) are key members of the University Housing Conference Services team. The CA is responsible for providing the highest possible customer service experience for guests staying on campus as part of a summer camp or conference.
Summer guests include adult/youth conferences, athletic camps, special events and university academic programs. CAs report to the Coordinator for Conference Services and work collaboratively with all University Housing staff.
This is a live-in position and CAs work approximately 20-40 hours per week with night and weekend shifts required. Overtime may be available during select periods. This position will develop UA Career-Ready skills such as Communication, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Critical Thinking.
Dates of Employment
The start date is Sunday, May 10, 2026 and the end date will be Friday, July 24, 2026. There will be an opportunity for a select group of CAs to work until Sunday, August 10, 2026 to assist with fall move-in.
Avaliability
Required training dates are Monday, May 11th through Wednesday, May 13th. Additionally, the following dates require full staff participation: May 14th -June 8th, 2026.
All vacations must receive prior approval from the Coordinator for Conference Services.
Job Duties
Making beds, working at the front desk and helping campers and conference attendees is all in a day's work for our conference ambassadors.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Communication – 40%
- Serve as an ambassador for Conference Services, University Housing, and the University of Arkansas
- Provide top-tier customer service experience for all internal and external constituents
- Regularly update, meet, and communicate with the Coordinator for Conference Services, Assistant Director for Conference Services, and other University Housing and University of Arkansas staff
- Utilize conference software programming to support guest and team communication
- Execute conference check-in and check-out procedures
Professionalism – 40%
- Abide by all University Housing and University of Arkansas policies and procedures
- Provide consistent and reliable service as a representative of the University
- Exhibit courteous and respectful behavior when interacting with guests, coworkers, and supervisors
- Attend ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance communication and service skills
- Implement Building Service Standards to maintain quality and professionalism in facilities
- Be responsible for the proper use and management of University Housing retainer keys
Teamwork – 20%
- Collaborate with other Conference Ambassadors and University Housing staff to ensure seamless operations
- Participate in team meetings and updates with supervisors and peers
- Support coworkers in fulfilling guest needs and operational responsibilities
- Contribute to a positive and productive team environment
- Fulfill the special tasks as part of a team or group initiative
Critical Thinking – 20%
- Exhibit well-versed adaptability and critical thinking skills in daily tasks and problem-solving
- Respond to guest concerns and operational issues with thoughtful, effective solutions
- Analyze and improve administrative procedures (e.g., check-in/out, front desk processes)
- Manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a dynamic environment
- Take initiative in unfamiliar or high-pressure situations, balancing guest needs with policy compliance
Job Benefits
- $13 per hour with the potential for overtime
- Great customer service experience
- Develop UA Career Ready Skills
- Flexible work schedules
- On-campus summer housing
Qualifications and Requirments
- Must be a student enrolled at the University of Arkansas for the Spring 2026 semester
- Enrollment is not required for Summer 2026. However, CAs may enroll in three hours during the first five weeks and six hours during the second five weeks
- CAs may not enroll in May intersession courses due to conference schedule conflicts
- Enrollment in Fall 2026 courses is preferred
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above
2025 Conferences Timeline
| Date and Time | Timeline Phase |
|---|---|
| October 2025 | Application Opens |
| January 2026 (TBD) | Application Closes |
| February 2026 (TBD) | Interview Process |
| March 2026 (TBD) | Estimated Notification Date |
| Sunday, May 10, 2026 — 8 a.m. to noon | Staff Move-in |
| Monday, May 11- Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Mandatory Training |
| May 2026 (TBD) | First Conference Group Arrives |
Contact Information
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Haught, Assistant Director for Housing Operations, at sh239@uark.edu or 479-575-2640.
Halls by Type
Traditional
- Founders Hall
- Futrall Hall
- Gibson Hall
- Gregson Hall
- Holcombe Hall (Closed for Improvements)
- Hotz Honors Hall
- Humphreys Hall
- Pomfret Hall
- Reid Hall (Closed for Improvements)
- Yocum Hall (Closed for Improvements)
Suites
Apartments
A reduced rate is available for apartment stays of 30 days or more.
Additional Resources
University Housing does not provide or coordinate transportation, parking, or reservation of meeting or classroom spaces in non-residential facilities. To arrange additional services, contact the following individual departments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The registration process will open in October preceding each summer season. Hall assignments and housing agreements will be sent to conference administrators in March.
It is important that conference administrators submit the required documents within the timeline provided to them by conference housing. Final participant counts are due two weeks prior to check in. A final participant roster is due one week prior to check in.
Guests can seek help with questions and concerns from staff members found at the front desk of their hall. For after-hours inquiries, guests can call the CA (conference ambassador) on duty. That number will be posted on each floor of the building and at entrances and within lobbies. If it is an emergency, guests are encouraged to call 911.
Our staff is comprised of a mixture of professional full-time staff, graduate students and dedicated undergraduate student staff. Our staff strive to provide a quality conference experience for our partners and guests.
To ensure the safety and well-being of minors participating in programs, any group or individual conducting a camp, program, or activity that meets the criteria outlined in Section V of the Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 217.1 – Protection of Minors on Campus is kindly requested to complete the registration process. This includes uploading the leader roster for background checks, the Mandatory Reporting training certificates, and signed Acknowledgments of the policy for all staff and volunteers involved. All required documents should be submitted to the designated camp SharePoint folder.
Registration Process
1. Submit Registration Form
Complete this registration form at least 30 days prior to the event.
2. Roster Completion
After registration, the Youth Protection Coordinator will provide the Program Director with further instructions, including access to a SharePoint folder and a leader roster template. The completed roster must be submitted 30 days before the event. If any background checks do not meet university standards, or if HireRight information is not completed within 14 days, the Program Director will be notified.
3. Mandated Reporter Training
All staff and volunteers must complete the online Mandated Reporter Training. Program Directors will upload the certificates of completion into SharePoint folders.
4. Acknowledgment Form
All staff and volunteers must download and sign the Acknowledgment Form, found here to confirm they have read and understood Appendix A of the Protection of Minors Policy 217.1. Program Directors are responsible for collecting and uploading into SharePoint folders.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a safe, secure, and compliant environment for minors in your programs. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Questions regarding youth protection can be sent to Melissa Graham, Youth Protection Coordinator at mrgraham@uark.edu
Minors must have adult supervision at all times while on campus. At least one chaperone/counselor must reside on each floor where minors are housed and be readily available to respond in the event of an emergency. Chaperons will serve as a resource and provide oversight for all minor campers when staying in the residence halls.
Youth groups/conferences serving persons 17 years of age or younger as of the initial day the conference must have the following minimum ratio of adult chaperone/counselor to every minor housed by University Housing. For minors in the age range of 13 to 17, one adult chaperone to every 15 minors, and for minors under age 13, one adult chaperone/counselor for every 10 minors.
University Housing laundry facilities are operated through the use of the Speed Queen app. Non-student guests will need to set up a guest account within the app follow instructions posted within the residence halls. Guests will need to link a payment method to the account to operate the machines.