Meet the CHC Student Staff: Student Ambassadors
By Mahidhar Sai Lakkavaram
Content
Welcome to Commonwealth Honors College(CHC)! At CHC, we have a variety of student staff teams that are dedicated to helping you make the most of your experience here. This series will highlight all their different functions and how you can make use of these resources, and potentially join them in the future!
The Honors Student Ambassadors work on the third floor of the Commonwealth Honors College building. They host information sessions about CHC for high school students applying to attend UMass Amherst, participate on student panels, and support other student recruitment initiatives.
Adrianna Brent, a senior majoring in political science and public health sciences, started working as a student ambassador last year.
“I wanted to make a positive impact on the [Honors] community and gain valuable leadership experiences that will benefit me in the future,” she said.
At work, like most of the student ambassadors, Adrianna is usually conducting information sessions or answering questions through email or phone that incoming students and their parents have about life as an Honors student.
“My favorite part [about] the job is being able to serve as a resource for prospective students and families. I am happy to help shape the college experience for others and share my passion for higher education,” said Adrianna.
Tanyikeh Muanya, senior political science and journalism double major, is also a student ambassador. “Talking to students one on one during spring destination days” is his favorite part about being a student ambassador.
The Honors Student Ambassadors host information sessions and destination days throughout the year. Check out the CHC events calendar for the next one. They also answer questions through info [at] honors [dot] umass [dot] edu (email) and phone 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Tanyikeh became an ambassador to help students like him that needed resources to succeed coming into college: “In this role, I can be that resource and help incoming students navigate college life,” he explained.
His advice to first-year students? “Be open to new things and experiences, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance."
Adrianna emphasizes the importance of actively engaging and getting involved during your time here: “Explore the many opportunities available on campus, from joining clubs to participating in intramural sports at the recreation center. Also, don't miss out on on-campus events! This is your chance to broaden your horizons and discover new interests.”
Ashley Braziel and Ann Marie Russell coordinate the student ambassadors, so reach out to them if you have any questions!