KU News Release

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas senior from Iola has been named a Young Ambassador for the 2010-11 academic year by the German Academic Exchange Service.

Brandy Nichole Groff, majoring in Germanic languages and literatures with co-majors in international studies and European studies, is among students who studied or interned in Germany in the previous academic year who will serve as liasions for the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the United States and Canada.

DAAD is the German agency for the support of international academic cooperation. It offers programs and funding for students, faculty, researchers and others in higher education and provides financial support to more than 50,000 individuals annually.

Young Ambassadors promote study in Germany at their home universities and colleges. They help to inspire fellow students to study in Germany by working in university study abroad offices, volunteering at study abroad fairs, answering questions from students and organizing their own events on campus.

The Young Ambassadors will participate in a three-day seminar Aug. 19-22 in New York City that will address intercultural communications, presentation skills and marketing.

During the 2009-10 academic year, Groff studied at the University of Bonn in Germany. She is the daughter of Michele and John Groff of Iola and is an Iola Senior High School graduate.

DAAD New York has three missions: to act as a bridge between U.S., Canadian and German universities, higher education professionals and students by providing information and assistance; to administer fellowships and other programs for students and scholars in the United States and Canada; and to contribute to Germany’s public diplomacy by promoting Germany’s academic, scientific, and cultural achievements in the United States and Canada.