Teen Safety Ambassadors: Building Leaders Through Student Voice

As part of its youth and community initiatives, the Texas School Safety Center started an ambassador program for teens to serve as the state’s youth voice for engaging their peers in school safety initiatives. The Texas School Safety Teen Ambassadors initiative started in September 2024 with nine high school seniors from across Texas who graduated from the program this past August. The second cohort has started its training and work.

During the yearlong program, teen ambassadors receive training, attend events, educate peers on various issues, and work with school administrators to help create a safe and healthy campus environment. These ambassadors are dedicated to helping fellow students learn about teen mental health, the dangers of drug use, violence prevention, and emergency preparedness.

In addition to engaging the state’s youth in school safety initiatives and helping school administrators, ambassadors also collaborate with TxSSC staff to create school safety training and activities for youth.

These student volunteers have experienced overwhelming acceptance from peers as someone who’ll listen to their concerns and suggestions for making their schools safer places for everyone on campus.

TxSSC, a research center at Texas State University in San Marcos, is tasked by the Texas Education Agency and Gov. Greg Abbott’s Homeland Security Strategic Plan with key school initiatives and mandates. The center serves as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of safety and security information for K-12 schools and junior colleges across Texas.

Texas Lone Star talked to Kathleen Bates, TxSSC youth initiatives program manager, about the teen ambassador program. Her comments have been lightly edited.

Q&A

Q: How did the Texas School Safety Teen Ambassador program get started? 

The program launched this past school year (2024-25) and is part of a larger program at the Texas School Safety Center known as the Youth School Safety Program. This new initiative is now available to all Texas schools. Our first cohort of ambassadors worked with staff to develop the purpose of the Youth School Safety Program as well as the branded movement for students to join. That branded youth movement is called KEYS — Knowledge Empowers Youth Safety. It is a program that features a variety of resources and training designed by youth for youth. 

Q: Why should students be interested in and excited about participating in the program? 

So many young people are looking for an opportunity to lead, learn, and protect their friends and peers. The teen ambassadors receive a unique opportunity to become leaders and changemakers within their school. They are able to make a real difference by advocating on behalf of their peers not only at their school but for the state. Ambassadors collaborate with TxSSC staff on projects and resources to share with all Texas schools. They gain leadership experience and communication skills that will benefit them into adulthood, and they receive the opportunity to network with like-minded youth from across the state. 

Q: What does being a teen ambassador for a year entail?

Teen ambassadors are required to fulfill a service agreement, which includes the following items:

• Stay current on school safety topics, youth advocacy, and teen leadership through assigned research and training.
• Attend at least one school district board meeting to understand how their district discusses school-related issues.
• Attend at least one Texas School Safety Center Board of Directors meeting.
• Present at the annual Texas School Safety Conference.
• Present during the virtual Youth School Safety Summit.
• Plan and implement a project or event for their school that addresses teen drug-use prevention, teen mental health, violence prevention, or emergency preparedness.
• Meet monthly with TxSSC staff and fellow ambassadors through Zoom.

Q: What aspects of safety do ambassadors address?

Teen drug use, teen mental health, violence prevention, and emergency preparedness.

Q: What types of events do ambassadors lead or attend?

Ambassadors participate in and present at the annual Texas School Safety Conference as well as the Youth School Safety Virtual Summit.

Q: How are students empowered to share their voices or influence safety practices on their campuses?

Each ambassador is required to implement a project for their school/district that supports their school/district’s efforts in creating a safe and healthy school community. Before speaking with the school/district administration, ambassadors receive intense teen leadership training at the Texas School Safety Center’s Teen Ambassador Fall Orientation. Over the course of four days, ambassadors learn about the mission and goals of the TxSSC, how their role helps support the work of the TxSSC, how to serve as the student voice for their cam[1]pus and state, and how to establish relationships with key administrators to become integrated into various school safety discussions.

Q: What kind of impact have you seen from the program — on campuses, in communities, or with the students themselves?

There has been an overwhelming amount of positive reception on campuses, within communities, and from students. Many ambassadors have had the opportunity to establish relationships with key school administrators, speak at school safety summits, and build professional connections with those working on school safety issues. Ambassadors have also reported an overwhelming amount of acceptance from their peers as some ambassadors have become the “go-to” person to share student concerns.

Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect for students serving in this role?

I think what has been most rewarding for students serving as ambassadors is a feeling of acknowledgement. So many young people have thoughts, opinions, and ideas on how to solve challenges, but they are afraid to speak up for the fear that adults will not listen. The teen ambassador program not only proves that young people are welcome to share their solutions, but it helps to break down barriers between students and adults and encourages both parties to start having meaningful conversations.

Q: Is there a particular student story or moment that stands out to you as especially meaningful?

All the teen ambassadors this year have been able to accomplish so many wonderful things that it is hard to pinpoint one story. These young people are incredibly passionate and determined to help build safe and healthy schools. It is incredibly powerful to witness the excitement and positive energy in a room when teen ambassadors and school personnel are discussing solutions together.

Q: Do any teen ambassadors want to pursue careers in education, public safety, or related fields?

Even though the teen ambassador program is entering its second year, we have had several students express interest in pursuing careers in education, public safety, or a related field.

Q: What advice would you give students interested in applying?

This role is about making schools feel safer, so think deeply about why that matters to you. Highlight any experience you have with leadership, teamwork, and school safety initiatives. Also, show that you understand safety isn’t just about rules. It’s about understanding people and building trust between students and adults. It’s about demonstrating maturity, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility. Also, it is important to apply with ideas on how you could improve safety and well-being on your campus. Whether it is starting a mental health awareness campaign or organizing reunification drills, all efforts help support a safe and healthy school.