March 27, 2006
How is residential life on campus? What is the commute like to Main Campus? Are the residence halls co-ed? What is the meal plan like?
These are just a few of the more typical questions asked by prospective students and parents during an average tour of the Ambler campus.
The individuals most often up to the challenge of answering their questions are the Ambler campus Owl Ambassadors.
The Owl Ambassadors are a select group of students representing the campus and the Admissions office that apply, interview, and accept these important leadership positions. You can see them around campus helping at events and giving tours wearing their red shirts and, of course, a smile.
Not so very far removed from the high school students they interact with during tours and events, the Owl Ambassadors are on the front lines of presenting the realities of what the Ambler experiences will be like.
“I like this campus a lot and I felt that I could do it justice for someone just coming in with maybe little, or no, background experience as to what Ambler is all about,” said Claudia Bereshnyi, a junior in the organizational studies program. “When I came to a Transfer Tuesday event as a prospective student, the Owl Ambassadors truly went above and beyond the call of duty and I felt I could definitely do that for someone else.”
According to Admissions Counselor Rachel Oliver, who coordinates the Owl Ambassador program at Temple and was an Owl Ambassador at the Main Campus herself when she was a student, “our Ambassadors are essentially the student link that a prospective student has to this campus.”
“A high school student coming on to campus for the first time might feel more comfortable talking to a fellow student than they would an admissions counselor. They are the face of the campus,” she said. “Our Ambassadors, in addition to giving tours, work in the Admissions office as well as assisting other departments, such as the Dean’s office and the Ambler College, in a variety of ways at events and programs.”
 The Ambler Owl Ambassadors are currently 20 students strong. Students must apply for the positions, which are available during the Fall and Spring semesters, and during the summer months.
“I like helping students and sharing my personal experiences; it’s not just statistics and facts and figures. I was in their shoes just two years ago,” said Jennifer Bertolet, a sophomore studying international business. “When I was taking college tours, I wanted the truth about the campus experience and that’s what I want to share with students and parents that visit Ambler.”
Kimmy Karczewski, a freshman broadcast and journalism major, wants to put a face on the campus for incoming students.
“I try to share what living on campus is like and what classes are like and that in class, every paper, every quiz, everything you do, counts,” she said. “I like the fact that this campus is so close knit. You are able to make connections here.”
Bereshnyi agreed.
“I try to impress upon students and parents that the core of this campus is student-centered learning — they really believe in students here and are open to their needs. It’s about community at Ambler,” she said. “Every one of my professors made of point of learning our names; you are not a number. They acknowledge the fact that you are human and respect your opinions.”
Oliver said any student may apply to become an Owl Ambassador but they should realize it is a job and treat it accordingly.
“Owl Ambassadors should be personable, motivated, positive students that are in good academic standing — a 2.5 grade point average is the minimum — and, truly, they should enjoy being Ambler students. Previous customer service experience is a plus, as is campus involvement,” she said. “Almost all of our current Ambassadors started within the last year and I think everyone is on the same page and shares the same goals. It really is a group effort.”
Sarada Jailal, a junior studying journalism and communications, said the Owl Ambassador position has afforded her the opportunity “to meet so many more students and the staff here on campus.”
“It’s an extremely positive atmosphere,” she said. “I’m truly impressed by how involved our students are, particularly in community service, which is something we are now getting involved with as an organization.”
According to Oliver the students in the Owl Ambassadors program have “tried to expand their reach a little bit in that, as a group, they have decided to get involved in community service projects when it is possible.”
During the 2005 holiday season, the Owl Ambassadors spearheaded a food collection program to support WMMR radio’s Camp Out For Hunger Campaign. Their efforts resulted in the collection of more than 200 pounds of food donated by students, faculty, and staff.
Currently the organization is involved in fundraising efforts for the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Conference, which provides lifelong leadership development opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their highest potential. HOBY seeks to motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society through understanding and action based on effective and compassionate leadership.
A recent Owl Ambassadors bake sale netted nearly $100 for the program and other fundraising events are planned. The Ambassadors are also planning to field a team of walkers for the March of Dimes Eastern Montgomery County WalkAmerica, which will be held on campus on Sunday, April 30.
Josh Nimmerichter, a freshman landscape architecture student, attended the HOBY conference when he was in high school.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for young people to learn important leadership skills. It’s a great way for high school students to prepare for college and beyond — they are social skills, communication skills that you will always need,” he said. “HOBY is a leadership conference that students are able to attend free of charge thanks to donations made through community service efforts like what the Ambassadors are doing now.”
Oliver said a primary goal of the Owl Ambassador program is providing leadership experience for the students involved.
“It’s not just a job, it’s a leadership position. I was an Ambassador for three years and it led me to my profession — I didn’t know you could work in admissions before I became an Ambassador,” she said. “The Owl Ambassador program truly has the opportunity to be a launching point, to expand our students’ opportunities to grow as students and professionals.
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