The Mindfulness Ambassador Program

The Mindfulness Ambassador program is a partnership between the Contemplative Studies Minor and the Health Promotion office at Ramapo College to expand mindfulness practice amongst our students funded by the Trust for the Meditation Process.

Each year, up to ten peer leaders will be selected to become Mindfulness Ambassadors. This is a volunteer role the peer leaders will hold for the duration of the time at Ramapo College. Mindfulness Ambassadors lead meditations in the College’s Wellness Room, for pre-service teacher candidate students, in classes upon faculty request, and for student clubs and organizations, including Greek Life.

Our Approach to Mindfulness

In alignment with the Trust for the Meditation Process, the Mindfulness Ambassador program’s approach to meditation is influenced by Buddhist mindfulness meditation traditions as interpreted by Jon Kabat Zinn and others who were creators of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction approach, Vipassana, and Thich Nhat Hanh’s Zen tradition. In short, the program utilizes Jon Kabat Zinn’s definition of mindfulness: paying attention, in the present moment, in a particular way, and without judgment. 

It is important that student meditation leaders and new meditators understand that thoughts are not the enemy – the mind will continue to think, but it is our relationship with those thoughts that is important. The form of meditation we promulgate is silent and non-discursive, often breath-based, with limited guidance by the trained student practitioners.

Training Process

Up to ten students who apply to become a Mindfulness Ambassador will be selected. These Mindfulness Ambassadors in training will need to register for the 2-credit spring course Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) within the Contemplative Studies minor (CNST-240). The course is 8 weeks in length and the ambassadors will build a consistent meditation practice and learn mindfulness fundamentals. 

In spring 2026, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (CNST-240) will occur on Wednesday evenings from 6:05 to 9:35 pm. 

After the 8 week course ends, ambassadors will have three follow-up training sessions during the standard class time for MBSR. This meditation guidance training module will introduce Ambassadors to the pedagogy of mindfulness including using invitational rather than command language, minimizing triggers for those with trauma, and avoiding suggestions about what the participants should be feeling. Ambassadors will learn to introduce silent meditation and use breath cues. These sessions will also focus on peer to peer engagement and education about mindfulness.

Only first year, second year and third year students should apply to this role, so they can have one full academic year as a Mindfulness Ambassador. 

Program Requirements Following Certification 

Central to our requirements are a strong and continued personal mindfulness and meditation practice, acquisition of personal mindfulness skills, and an understanding of the foundations of meditation traditions. 

To remain an Ambassador, students will be required to lead a minimum of three mindful meditation and education sessions each semester (six each academic year). Students can bring their Mindfulness Ambassador knowledge to student clubs and organizations they are already a part of, academic courses and the wellness room. 

After one semester or more of guiding mediation, students will write a reflection on the changes in their perspectives as they have taken on a leadership role.

Application 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through January 21, 2026.

Students must be registered and enrolled for week one of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (CNST-240) to ensure they receive all important training. If a student has already taken CNST-240, they are not required to take it again. They must complete the application below.

The application is housed in Qualtrics: 

Apply Now