FOR RELEASE: Thursday, December 14, 2006
College of Education and Health Professions Names Student Ambassadors
Academic advisor Michael Sturtevant, center, supervises four new student ambassadors for the College of Education and Health Professions: Wade Cunningham, from left, Ellen Snowden, Christy Cameron and Hiedi Hoffman.
The College of Education and Health Professions announced the selection this fall of four student ambassadors to represent the college. The students, all juniors, and their majors are Ellen Snowden, nursing; Wade Cunningham and Hiedi Hoffman, kinesiology; and Christy Cameron, communication disorders.
Michael Sturtevant, who recently began working as an academic advisor in the college's Boyer Center for Student Services, coordinates the ambassador program. He previously worked in the Fulbright College Advising Center and served as a student ambassador himself as an undergraduate Fulbright student in 2003-04.
"These student ambassadors will serve as student representatives for the College of Education and Health Professions at recruiting and college fair activities as well as college functions such as graduation and the annual Honors Convocation," Sturtevant said. "They will respond to inquiries from prospective students, sharing their experiences and knowledge about the college. Serving as student ambassadors provides them the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of prospective students. They could influence someone's decision to attend college."
Their selection benefits the ambassadors, too, he explained. They will make connections with faculty and staff and gain experiences that will help them as they go out into the work world, he said.
Criteria for selection included a minimum grade point average of 2.75, status as a junior or senior and demonstrated interest in the college and promoting the college. The four students chosen have been active on campus, helping with orientation and being involved in student groups, Sturtevant said.
"They have shown an interest in leadership," he said. "I also required them to write a sample letter to a prospective student, explaining why the college is a good choice because of its academic programs, high-quality faculty and record of excellence in research and service."
The Boyer Center plans to produce a newsletter from the ambassadors once a semester that will be used as a recruiting tool.
The students recently spoke about their ideas for the future and their work as student ambassadors.
Snowden, who is from Plano, Texas, decided in the fifth grade that she wanted to be a nurse. She wants to share her enthusiasm for her major with others.
"As an ambassador, I want to represent nursing to try to bring more people into the field of nursing and to recruit students to the College of Education and Health Professions," she said.
Hoffman, who is from Bentonville, said the college affords students an opportunity to join their peers in a positive learning and social environment, and she described her role as assisting others to make transitions.
"I feel that I can help students adjust into their college careers," she said.
As a first-generation college student, Cunningham faced questions that he would like to help answer for new students, he said.
"I want to help others with issues they face and be sure they know what academic options are out there," said Cunningham, who is from Trumann.
Cameron, who is from Bartlesville, Okla., looks forward to encouraging other students to see what the college has to offer.
"I think the University of Arkansas is an amazing university and any opportunity to promote involvement in academics or student activities is an honor and a privilege," she said. "By being a student ambassador, I am able to encourage students and future students to be a part of one of the most amazing academic colleges at the university – the College of Education and Health Professions."
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Contact:
Heidi Stambuck, director of communications
College of Education and Health Professions
575-3138, stambuck@uark.edu