In January 2018, Houghton will launch its new Student Ambassador Program.
After receiving ample feedback from current students who had heard about Houghton through word-of-mouth, the Admissions Office sought to capitalize on this strength. The purpose of the new Student Ambassador Program is to increase admissions through conversation with current students. It gives Houghton students a focused and deliberate mission: engage with prospective students and encourage them to apply to Houghton.
Nikki Garns ’18 explained that this new program “gives students access to increase their involvement at Houghton” as well as enhancing their “communication skills” and developing “their professionalism as someone who is representing a professional institution.”
Through this program, current students have the opportunity to promote Houghton to prospective students through interpersonal connections. “Admissions is something that everyone at Houghton—whether they work here or go here—is a part of, whether they know it or not,” Bjorn Webb ’18, a current intern at the Admissions Office, said. “And the Student Ambassador Program is a way for students to actually see their role in the process, and see how big of a difference they can make.”
Callie Lloyd ’18, also an admissions intern, agreed with Webb. She added that many current students are already, in their own way, stepping into the role of an ambassador unknowingly. “I think we all already talk about Houghton whenever we’re home,” she said. “I think this program just gives people an incentive to be more intentional about it, and reach out to students who might be interested in coming to Houghton.”
For high school students, talking with a current student could open the possibility for otherwise unexplored avenues of conversation. Teri Koetsier ’18, also an admissions intern, said, “Talking about Houghton specifically is going to mean a lot to high school students because as soon as they hear that you’re a student and you’re going through campus life, through classes, through sports and other activities, they’ll actually start to believe what you’re saying and start to open up and ask real questions about Houghton.” Having these conversations with prospective students is a way, Webb claimed, “for current students to take ownership of our school.”
Stepping into the role of a student ambassador is a way for students to “experience getting out of your comfort zone,” Joe Miner ’18, admissions intern, said. “This program gives students the invaluable experience of making connections, and making conversations about what many of us are already passionate about.”
Ambassadors are given “access to incentives by simply having conversations with high school friends or potential transfers about your personal experience at Houghton and encouraging them to apply,” Garns said.
“When I think of the benefits of being an ambassador, I don’t even think of the professional benefits,” Miner concluded. “Instead, I think of general interpersonal benefits that come from this experience where you can truly grow as a person from it.”
All students are encouraged to apply for the Student Ambassador Program. Applications will be accepted until November 21, and selections will be finalized on December 6.