Ever wonder who that person passing out programs at New Student Convocation is, or who’s helping your grandmother find her seat at commencement?

That smiling face is a member of West Virginia University’s Gold and Blue Student Ambassadors program.

Designed in 2007 by then WVU senior Ashley Riley, the ambassadors program is a select group of student leaders who go through a competitive application and interview process.

These 25 ambassadors are more than just the face of WVU; they are the heart and soul of the University. Students from almost every college at WVU comprise the ambassadors, who are involved in everything from Student Government Association to The Pride of West Virginia Marching Band.

“We are an example of what the university has to offer,” said Katlin Stinespring, a junior public relations major from Hurricane, W.Va, and a Gold and Blue ambassador.

Since the ambassadors act as liaisons between the University and the public, they are held to high standards of guest service while representing the University and its student population.

GBSA members love WVU so much that they take time out of their lives to volunteer in the ambassador program. But the ambassadors also benefit, Stinespring said, because of this unique way to learn about the WVU community.

“It is a great way to be involved in a different aspect of university life and give back to the University that has given me so much,” Stinespring said. “I am fanatic about WVU. I joined GBSA because I have a thirst for knowledge to learn more about WVU.”

Jason Bailey, a senior double international studies and political science major from Ripley, W.Va., thinks that the ambassadors’ essential role is to make sure that visitors feel welcome at WVU.

A typical event begins with the ambassadors arriving two hours prior to the start. Ambassadors are bombarded with a vast array of information before every event so they can be as prepared as possible for any question or situation that could arise.

“Each year the program progresses, the ambassadors are given an increasing amount of responsibility,” Bailey said. “Most people don’t realize just how much goes on behind the scenes.”

The ambassadors are given tasks such as handing out programs and seating or greeting guests. They also set up and then form plans for an efficient take down. There is always a post-event meeting to discuss the success of the event and ways to improve the next one.

“It’s nice to be backstage, meeting people who are involved,” Bailey said. “It gives me a greater appreciation for the people who organize all the events.”

GBSA helps students develop leadership and communication skills not found in any classroom. Most of the time ambassadors have to do a lot of thinking on their feet and working on the fly.

Stinespring says she has learned to keep a smile on her face and positive attitude no matter what comes up. This could be anything from a curtain falling down during a speaker’s presentation to having to locate a first-aid kit for a visitor who has fallen.

“You have to stay calm and composed,” she said. “A lot of GBSA is a learn-as-you-go job. You have to be willing to be flexible because things can get hectic.”

Bailey enjoys being an ambassador because he is able to give back to the University in a distinct way. He’s not just helping the Morgantown community; he’s giving back to WVU, and for him that is what is most important.

Hilah Zia, a senior marketing major from Morgantown, is the GBSA liaison. She helps organize support for University events where ambassadors will be in attendance.

Zia said she loves working in the office and learning the ins and outs of event planning. She is learning just how much time goes into planning a university event and plans on pursuing a career in event planning based on the experiences she’s had as an ambassador.

Zia and the other ambassadors have learned the inner-workings of the University. They are not only seeing how the University operates, they are a part of it.

“The president of WVU knows me by name, and that is pretty cool,” Zia said.

Like Zia, Bailey said he has grown to know administrators on a personal level and they know him through his involvement in GBSA and other student organizations.

“The longer you are in it, the better for you and the better for the University,” Bailey said of the ambassador program. “It is the perfect way to be involved with WVU.”

Zia feels that as ambassadors become more experienced, they will learn more about themselves, grow into better communicators and become more comfortable conversing about a variety of topics.

“We have a remarkable group of ambassadors who are highly involved in the campus community. They each bring a wealth of information as they communicate with guests, and I think that our guests are pleased to see such engaged students,” said Stephanie Ballard-Conrad, interim director of University Events.

The ambassadors still find time out of their busy schedules to interact socially as well as while volunteering at University events.

Bailey said that although the ambassadors are active in student organizations, they find time to relax together by going out for coffee or having group dinners.

“It is good way to branch out and meet new people that wouldn’t have happened any other way,” Bailey said.

Stinespring said the program was a great way to meet new people from other places and walks of life and expand her social network. To her, being close with her fellow ambassadors increases her enjoyment of being an ambassador.

“This program is something the University will have for a long time,” Zia said.

By Katie Pappa
University Relations/News

-WVU-

kep/10/07/10

CONTACT: WVU University Relations/News
304-293-6997

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