Project RISE successfully held its culminating program for the Reading Ambassadors initiative on December 17, marking a meaningful milestone in its sustained commitment to community-based literacy development. The event brought together student-volunteers, faculty members, partner schools, and key stakeholders to celebrate the collective achievements of the program and to recognize the dedication of those who made it possible.

Central to the initiative was the mobilization of 90 committed volunteers, composed of third- and fourth-year BSED–Language Education students and participants from the Certification Program for Professional Teachers (CPRT). Throughout the program, these Reading Ambassadors were strategically deployed to RISE partner schools, where they conducted structured and targeted reading interventions for Grade 1 learners. Their work focused on strengthening foundational literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension—critical building blocks in a child’s academic journey. Beyond technical instruction, the ambassadors fostered a nurturing and motivating learning environment, helping young learners develop confidence and a genuine interest in reading.

The culminating program served as both a recognition ceremony and a reflective space. Selected volunteers shared personal narratives that highlighted the realities of teaching in diverse classroom contexts—the initial challenges of engaging struggling readers, the small but meaningful victories in student progress, and the deep sense of fulfillment gained from making a tangible difference in a child’s learning experience. These stories underscored the transformative nature of the initiative, not only for the learners but also for the volunteers, who gained valuable professional and personal insights.

A defining highlight of the event was the official announcement by Dean Amelia T. Buan regarding the institutionalization of the Reading Ambassadors as a recognized association within the College of Education. This milestone elevates the initiative from a single program into a sustained institutional effort, ensuring its continuity in the years to come. With formal recognition, the organization now has a stable structure through which future cohorts of students can actively participate in literacy advocacy, community engagement, and experiential learning opportunities aligned with their academic preparation.

Overall, the culminating program encapsulated the broader impact of Project RISE. It not only demonstrated measurable improvements in the reading abilities of participating Grade 1 learners but also strengthened the partnership between the academe and local school communities. More importantly, it reinforced the value of service-learning as a powerful approach to education—one that bridges theory and practice, cultivates social responsibility, and empowers future educators to become agents of change.