YouAlberta
Being a U of A Ambassador is a great opportunity to get involved with the campus community in a wide variety of ways. You get to connect with current and prospective students, as well as alumni and special guests from the university.
Being an ambassador is also a great opportunity to network, connect with a diverse group and make lasting friendships outside of academics. I have met students from different faculties and years of study. The professional development and leadership opportunities at the ambassador program enhance your university experience, while the skills you gain continue to be advantageous to you after graduation.
In the ambassador program, you get to learn the history of and fun facts about campus. Two of my favourites are: that the Canadian flag was designed by the U of A alumnus George Stanley and that in one hour of a typical school day, over 2,000 people walk through HUB.
One of my favourite activities in the program is campus tours. I get to walk around campus all year round when there is fresh snow, leaves falling from the trees, or new flowers during spring. I enjoy sharing stories with prospective students and the general public about the different study places on campus, the classes which have been my favourite, and how much there is to do and learn on campus. There are also Residence tours where you get to show the facilities in Lister Center and share stories about how residence makes students' transition into university easier.
I also really enjoy U-School tours because young kids are always very interested in exploring campus and learning what they want to be when they grow up. I like stopping at First Peoples' House when doing Indigenous tours because I get to learn about the various supports available for Indigenous students on campus, but also because every time I go to First Peoples' House, I learn more about Indigenous peoples' history and traditions.
Some of the greatest skills I have acquired from participating in the U of A Ambassador Program are communication and public speaking skills. When I started in the program, I was not confident in my English speaking abilities, nor was I comfortable presenting in front of a large audience. I was able to improve my public speaking skills because of the great support and feedback I received in the program and also because I had the opportunity to practice small talk and storytelling when doing campus tours.
By being an ambassador, you also get to participate in Open House, the biggest recruitment event of the year, where over 8,000 prospective students and their families come to campus to learn about the U of A and its vibrant community.
Ask an ambassador
Dharma, Lourdes, and Adwoa, three U of A students and ambassadors of the university, share their experiences in the program.
What do you enjoy about the Ambassador Program?
Dharma: The people. Since the first meeting, it feels like you are already close friends with everyone. It becomes your own community on campus; it feels like you are at home away from home.
Lourdes: One of the biggest things that I appreciate about the ambassador program is the community; it is what makes it so special. Meeting people from all sorts of backgrounds and from different faculties. I appreciate the opportunities to grow and gain leadership experience: we have professional development and networking opportunities that are useful even after we graduate.
Adwoa: I enjoy the connections I make with other people; I have great friendships that have come out of it. I really love representing the U of A. Although I am only here for four years, I like saying, "I go here." I like to share what a great school this is to be at and encourage people to come to the U of A.
How does being a U of A Ambassador connect you to the campus community?
Dharma: Being an ambassador, you are able to attend formal events such as convocation. There is also the opportunity to provide input on things that are happening in the community and to get to know different places on campus. I remember that at the beginning of the year, we had an opportunity to see the University Commons building. The Ambassador program is about representing the university but also about helping people navigate their way into postsecondary and through postsecondary.
Lourdes: By being an ambassador, we get the opportunity to be involved in alumni events and community events. There are opportunities to share your experiences as a student while also making connections with the broader community.
Adwoa: Not only do I get to connect with students through the events that we hold on campus, but I get to connect with prospective students and encourage them to come to the U of A. I get to interact with the Dean of Students and with professors, also with people in different faculties and years of study.
What is your favourite memory from the Ambassador Program so far?
Dharma: There are too many, each bringing its own unique flavour. One of them is the training we have at the beginning of the academic year because you get to connect with other ambassadors. But also during Open House, I got to meet other ambassadors in the team, and I got to connect with prospective students as well. Even Campus Cup, a campus-wide dodgeball tournament, we were a committed group (though many of us were very unathletic) who got together to have some fun as a team.
Lourdes: A big event we have every year is our winter formal. It is super fun to get dressed up according to that year's theme; a couple of years ago, we had an Oscars-themed formal, and you can imagine how glam everyone looked! It was a great opportunity to take a break from exams and studying. I also enjoy seeing other ambassadors around campus and saying hi; it is the highlight of my day.
Adwoa: I really enjoy filming TikToks for the U of A account. Those are really fun, guessing people's majors and interacting with them. One of my favourites are the blazer events. I went to a Challencelor's event, and it was really fun. I enjoy getting dressed up and interacting with others.
Why would you encourage U of A students to become an ambassador?
Dharma: Definitely to get the networking in, because before, I didn't know people from all of the different faculties – I only knew people from science and engineering. And through the ambassador program, I met people in graduate studies too. It helps you connect with diverse people and understand what you want to do or where you want to be. There are also great professional development opportunities. One example is that we get to learn about dining etiquette. In my time at the ambassador program, I went from being shy to being open to talking and maintaining connections with people. When I started in the ambassador program, I was an introvert. I typically did not enjoy spending time around people. In my first year, I would go to the library, get an individual study room and be there all day. Once I started in the program, I automatically started interacting with people and improving my extrapersonal skills. But after leading tours and doing service triage at the Student Service Centre, you gain the skills that are necessary to maintain teamwork and communication. You become this person who needs a team all the time because when we work together, we arrive at the best possible outcome.
Lourdes: It is a great learning opportunity and a way to challenge yourself to grow. You gain public speaking and leadership skills that are applicable to anything you do outside of academics or anything you pursue after you graduate. It is a really meaningful community, and you get to make great connections and friendships with a diverse group of people. Within the program, there are ways in which you can take more leadership roles, challenge yourself even more, and continue growing, like the Senior U of A Ambassador role.
Adwoa: First of all, because it is fun. But you also get to represent the campus community in a way that you would otherwise not have been able to without this opportunity. You get to be the face of the university, which is really exciting.
Recruitment for the U of A Ambassador Program is currently live. The website outlines further details and requirements about the program. Apply by February 20 and help us lead the way!