Spring Break
Hard work, fun time brings stars, smiles for student ambassador
Daniel Holliday
Issue date: 9/16/02 Section: News
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As students settle into the semester and focus their attention from the rapidly decreasing days left until summer's end back to the routine of school and classwork, student ambassadors are already preparing for and focusing on ways to get more incoming freshmen and transfer students to choose UMKC as the university they want to attend for next year.
With increases in tuition and restricted funds available from grants and scholarships through financial aid, a student's college search can become difficult and time-consuming. Each college's costly application fees and the requests for transcripts needed can also hinder the already complicated process and take away the excitement that a college student's first year should be filled with.
The job of the student ambassadors is to make that decision virtually void of any stress. Arlene Smith, director of student ambassadors and the Welcome Center, characterizes the group as "tight and close-knit." They spend hours stuffing packets and sending them off to prospective students. They also attend many campus and community events to represent UMKC as a whole. "I think our diverse group of students reflects life on our campus," Smith also added. Henry Lin, a pre-medicine major, realizes the benefits of being a student ambassador. "The networking benefits are infinite, and you get a better feel of how the University works."
Despite all the work to be done, time spent between working at the Welcome Center and guiding campus tours, there is time for the group to have fun together. "Even though we're supposed to be working, it doesn't feel like it because you're having so much fun," said Lin. The students have a chance to relax and enjoy themselves. "It's laid back, but you still have to keep that professional attitude," he added.
Made up of students covering all areas of offered degree programs and ethnic backgrounds, visitors that come to the campus will get a true experience of college life. Wes Parham, a sophomore majoring in communication studies, said it best: "Every student that comes to UMKC has to come through admissions. You have a chance to get out and interact with every student…I love being around people, that's when I get excited."
Before I left the Welcome Center, there was a banner hanging up that spanned the office wall and beyond. Beside their names, stickers were hanging- stars represented extra hours worked in the Welcome Center and smiles represented students that worked special events. "By the end of the year that wall will be overflowing," Smith said. Obviously they have the formula down if you want to be successful at UMKC. Work hard and have fun. You may not have a banner to hang, but the personal rewards gained will be invaluable.
Mandatory meetings and other requirements are expected from ambassadors, but the experience gained will make those obligations seem minuscule in comparison. The student ambassador program also offers an added incentive in the form of a scholarship. I'm not going to say how much, but believe me, it's worth checking out. Just because you apply, though, doesn't mean you've already got the job. This isn't a retail store looking for seasonal help for Christmastime.
Expect to work- "this is a very competitive program…not everyone that works for us is automatically eligible for next year," Smith warned. You have to maintain an acceptable grade point average and fulfill all the duties of the job. Students that do return, though, are able to coach those that are new to the program. If you have an interest, stop by admissions; I'm sure Arlene Smith would be more than happy to sit down with you. If you don't know where it is, after you finish shuffling around your schedule with adds and drops, have the Registrar's Office direct you. (I'm sure no one should have a problem finding where that is. I think I've spent more time there than in any of my classes combined so far this semester.)
With increases in tuition and restricted funds available from grants and scholarships through financial aid, a student's college search can become difficult and time-consuming. Each college's costly application fees and the requests for transcripts needed can also hinder the already complicated process and take away the excitement that a college student's first year should be filled with.
The job of the student ambassadors is to make that decision virtually void of any stress. Arlene Smith, director of student ambassadors and the Welcome Center, characterizes the group as "tight and close-knit." They spend hours stuffing packets and sending them off to prospective students. They also attend many campus and community events to represent UMKC as a whole. "I think our diverse group of students reflects life on our campus," Smith also added. Henry Lin, a pre-medicine major, realizes the benefits of being a student ambassador. "The networking benefits are infinite, and you get a better feel of how the University works."
Despite all the work to be done, time spent between working at the Welcome Center and guiding campus tours, there is time for the group to have fun together. "Even though we're supposed to be working, it doesn't feel like it because you're having so much fun," said Lin. The students have a chance to relax and enjoy themselves. "It's laid back, but you still have to keep that professional attitude," he added.
Made up of students covering all areas of offered degree programs and ethnic backgrounds, visitors that come to the campus will get a true experience of college life. Wes Parham, a sophomore majoring in communication studies, said it best: "Every student that comes to UMKC has to come through admissions. You have a chance to get out and interact with every student…I love being around people, that's when I get excited."
Before I left the Welcome Center, there was a banner hanging up that spanned the office wall and beyond. Beside their names, stickers were hanging- stars represented extra hours worked in the Welcome Center and smiles represented students that worked special events. "By the end of the year that wall will be overflowing," Smith said. Obviously they have the formula down if you want to be successful at UMKC. Work hard and have fun. You may not have a banner to hang, but the personal rewards gained will be invaluable.
Mandatory meetings and other requirements are expected from ambassadors, but the experience gained will make those obligations seem minuscule in comparison. The student ambassador program also offers an added incentive in the form of a scholarship. I'm not going to say how much, but believe me, it's worth checking out. Just because you apply, though, doesn't mean you've already got the job. This isn't a retail store looking for seasonal help for Christmastime.
Expect to work- "this is a very competitive program…not everyone that works for us is automatically eligible for next year," Smith warned. You have to maintain an acceptable grade point average and fulfill all the duties of the job. Students that do return, though, are able to coach those that are new to the program. If you have an interest, stop by admissions; I'm sure Arlene Smith would be more than happy to sit down with you. If you don't know where it is, after you finish shuffling around your schedule with adds and drops, have the Registrar's Office direct you. (I'm sure no one should have a problem finding where that is. I think I've spent more time there than in any of my classes combined so far this semester.)
