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.
Other than slowing down the rhythm of her busy weekday, the prayer vigil has allowed her to contemplate how setting this time aside has changed her prayer life. She says, “It opens my mind to there being different levels of prayer. Initially, when I came into college, it was about bowing my head, but there are so many other elements that are a part of it. The prayer vigil allowed me to see all those different elements at work.”
After the dramatic reveal at the end of 
The name picked up speed quickly thanks to a crowdsourcing method that boosted marketing for the college using a fun and unifying contest. Of course, the students were confident that if they played by the rules, sharing posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter including their chosen name, things would work democratically. When Homecoming Week rolled around and the six finalists were named, one was missing. Where was Wal-Mart Johannson?
Presenters have the chance to present from any academic discipline, and undergraduates benefit not only from hearing a wide variety of topics, from the science of teeth-whitening to immigration policy, but also from engaging with other students within their own disciplines. “I’d really enjoyed meeting other students in my field and hearing what they were working on,” says Sophia Ross, who attended the 2016 Penn-York conference the fall of her Senior year at Houghton. 
Nicole Jennings ’19 echoed Strom’s statements. “We had a rocky start, but partway through the season we all came together and decided to play for God and for each other as a family, rather than for ourselves,” Jennings said. “This caused us as a team improve tremendously from the beginning of the season. We are playing games together as a unit, which contributes largely to our success!”
Within the culture of each athletic team, there is a unique emphasis placed on intentionally engaging faith with sport. Darcy Mitchell ’19, a member of the men’s soccer team, said that this integration is most clearly seen in the way that he and his teammates conduct themselves. “After every game, we ask the other team to gather with us to pray and thank God for the gifts and abilities that he has blessed us with,” he said. “That act alone is a witness to other teams and fans, and represents who we are truly playing for.”
Three years ago, Wagner was a student at the conservative Charles Finney School, a Protestant high school in Rochester. But as of September 12, he stands as the President of a newly christened Houghton club called Catholics on Campus. 
With a robust and extensive resume, which includes time spent as Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bryan, a BA in Psychology from Spring Arbor University, and an MA and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy, Pettway was a valuable addition to the department. Her intensive focus on race and racism will also provide unique insights to students. Starting this semester, Pettway will teach a special topics class entitled “Psychology of Race and Racism.” 
Larissa Ries (Strappello), Instructor of Equestrian Studies and Equestrian Facility Manager, is looking forward to the many opportunities this new expansion will bring to the community. “The new arena will allow us to offer more events for the Equine community, such as clinics, shows, etc., providing more learning opportunities for our students. It will allow us to host events for organizations such as Pony Club and 4H. We have been approached by these organizations about using the facility, but have struggled to have the time and space with all of the programming we have going on for the college students,” she said. “Hosting more events will allow our college students to have more real life experience of planning and running equine events.”