Ambassadors Boost College Connections

The student ambassador program enters its fifth year as a successful way of connecting students to the college, and this year's group is already in full swing with numerous activities geared toward student engagement, philanthropy, and recruitment.

The ambassadors kicked off the year in August with a CSBS Open House where students were given the opportunity to come and find out more about what the college has to offer, as well as connect with their fellow students from the college. As the year progresses, they will be hosting various activities including workshops, research panels, Facebook and Instagram contests, and even a 5k event during spring semester.

So what does it mean to be a student ambassador? Grace Hanley, a major in anthropology, psychology and sociology says, "It means representing a fundamental population in the university that often times doesn't receive the serious consideration it deserves. The title says it all—we are ambassadors for our fellow undergraduates and we will do our absolute best to make sure they are accurately represented to the college and the university." Sociology major Natalie Blanton adds, "It is all too easy to get swallowed up by this huge institution. To be able to connect with a group of like-minded students and create innovative avenues for involvement for ourselves, our peers, our faculty, staff and the greater community is what being an ambassador is all about."

Each ambassador has taken on a specific area of expertise including service and community outreach, marketing, college philanthropy, scholarship funding, and even plugging into social media in an effort to get students involved. "College is so much more than classes and coffee breaks," says political science major John Davidson. "Getting involved can transform an individual's college experience from four years of grades and final projects, to a memorable experience where you made friends and gained a good deal of experience that will prepare you for your future career," he says. "I cannot stress how important it is to get students connected. There is no better way to optimize your experiences as a student than to network with your faculty members, attend student events and get involved with something that fuels your passion—whatever that may be," Hanley adds. 

When asked why a program like this is important, Blanton explains, "We each come from entirely different spaces on this campus, and that is really exciting. Even though we are just getting the year going, I feel I continue to learn something new from every interaction we have. From incredible experiences in research, to traveling and even participating in local happenings, there is never a dull moment with this team." Davidson adds, "I cannot think of a more effective way to accomplish student engagement and recruitment than by having a team of highly driven and engaged individuals at the helm. The collaboration and drive that comes from these exceptional individuals is astounding."

Click here to learn more about each of the student ambassadors.