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On Friday, beneath the vaulted ceilings of the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values, seven students became UTampa Diplomats, the University’s ambassadors of goodwill, after taking an oath of service and responsibility.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor ’81, the induction’s keynote speaker, set the tone for the ceremony with a message that blended personal reflection and a challenge to embrace growth.

“You will have failures. You will have disappointments,” Castor told the new Diplomats. “But you will learn more from your mistakes than you do from your successes. Pay attention to the journey.”

The journey of earning a place among the Diplomats is no small feat. The selection process includes a written application, résumé submission, recommendation letters and interviews. Final decisions are made through a blind review process by a slating committee.

Throughout her keynote, Castor returned to themes of resilience, curiosity and responsibility — qualities that align closely with the mission of the Diplomats.

For Diplomats, those lessons are not theoretical. Diplomats serve in highly visible roles, assisting at commencement ceremonies and other major events, facilitating blood drives, supporting the Office of Career Services, working closely with the President’s Office and more. Members regularly navigate unpredictable environments, adapt to changing responsibilities and represent the University in high-pressure settings.

“During the events we help with, like commencement, we’re often put in situations where plans change,” said Diplomats President Bridgette Rosenberg ’26, a criminology and criminal justice major. “Being adaptable and able to keep your cool is really important.”

For new inductee Isabella Schiavone ’29, an international business and management major, the challenge of the role was part of the appeal.

“I knew I wanted to get involved right away and challenge myself with tasks that push me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Diplomats really caught my attention because of their strong leadership.”

Beyond leadership, communication and openness are central to the organization, Schiavone said. “Everyone I’ve talked to here is very open and welcoming. Their communication skills are great — that’s something that stood out to me.”

At the heart of the ceremony was the Diplomat oath — a pledge to serve with duty, loyalty and integrity while fostering positive relationships across the University and broader community. As the new members raised their right hands on Friday, they stepped into roles that ask them to lead with purpose and leave a mark on the community they now represent.

For Schiavone, the opportunity represents both personal growth and future potential.

“I’m excited to apply for executive roles within Diplomats in the future and make connections,” she said. “I want to form friendships here and future career opportunities”

That sentiment echoed Castor’s closing message: that success is often defined by the relationships built along the way.