Benefits Ambassadors Program kicks off with tremendous amount of interest, support

The Benefits Ambassadors Program, recently implemented by Human Resources on Purdue's West Lafayette campus, launched with great success. More than 90 applications were received following the callout for interested employees, and from those, 62 ambassadors were selected. Thirty-eight different departments/areas on campus are represented in this first group of ambassadors.

According to Candace Shaffer, benefits administrator -- family programming, who is overseeing the ambassadors program, due to the overwhelming number of applicants, Human Resources was unable to accept all applications for this term. However, she encourages those who didn't get in this time to reapply next term. Applications will be accepted again in early 2017.

"The large quantity of interested faculty and staff who responded to this initiative was impressive," Shaffer says. "We're encouraged by the initial response to this program and are looking forward to what we can accomplish as the program establishes itself more formally on campus."

The ambassadors will help inform and motivate colleagues to achieve healthier lifestyles by providing information on the variety of benefits resources available, sharing suggestions and ideas in committee meetings and actively advocating health and wellness benefits among their co-workers. Benefits ambassadors will have the opportunity to learn about initiatives and schedule programming pertaining but not limited to Family Friendly, Retirement, Financial Benefits, Medical Benefits, Center for Healthy Living and Leaves/Time Off.

Ambassadors will serve as resources to the campus community by gathering and sharing information but not as customer service representatives; they also will not have access to anyone's personal health information.

Specific questions related to the overall benefit offerings at Purdue or your personal benefits should be directed to Human Resources at the contact information listed below.

For more information, Human Resources has created an overview and frequently asked questions for the program. A roster of the current ambassadors is included in the information and can be used to contact the ambassador for your area to share ideas or request a workshop on a specific topic. If your area is not directly represented, contact Human Resources at 49-42222, via email at hr@purdue.edu or HRHelp. Any additional questions can be directed to Human Resources as well.