Diversity: Ole Miss Ambassadors

Ciara Oakley

Diversity in the Ole Miss Ambassador Program

The University of Mississippi’s Office of Admissions hosts over three thousand prospective students and families yearly for campus visits with the student Ambassadors providing the tours.

The Ambassador Program is made up of nearly 100 members who are required to go though an application and interview process before being selected. The students’ chosen for this program range from freshmen to seniors, while also being diverse in other ways than just age.

“We expect the Ambassadors Program to be diverse every year and reflect the student body at the University of Mississippi,” Associate Director of Enrollment Services Jody Lowe said.

Members of the Ambassador Program are typically involved in many different campus activities such as the Associated Student Body, Student Programming Board, Orientation Leaders, various religious groups, Provost Scholars, Greek life, and other small campus clubs. Ambassadors also come from different racial backgrounds, cultures, and states from all over the country.

“We want them to be able to connect to prospective high school and transfer students in every area and walk of life,” Lowe said. “We do not expect them to all be Greek, or all be involved in other prestigious campus activities, we just want them to be friendly and outgoing, while also representing our University in the best way possible.”

The Ambassador program is predominantly made up of students from Mississippi, but the program is also represented by several other states including Texas, Alabama, and Illinois. To diversify the group even more, newly selected Ambassador Ife Olayemi from Nigeria is the first student chosen from a different country to serve in this organization.

“The Ambassador Program is one of my favorite organizations I’m involved in on campus because of all the different people in it,” Sophomore Bailey Haile said. “Everyone comes from different backgrounds, have different personalities, and not everyone is Greek, but we still are able to get along and have a good time during our office hours and special events.”

While it may seem like fun and games, the diverse group of Ambassadors are required to complete a certain number of tours a month, work special events, and write letters and postcards to stay active members. Also, prizes including t-shirts, gift cards, and book scholarships are given away at weekly meetings to keep the motivation going.

One thing the Office of Enrollment prides itself on is that visitors give such positive feed back on their experiences with the Ambassadors. Along with this, many students have reported making their decision to come to Ole Miss based on their time spent with an Ambassador.

The Ambassadors also create a great impact on parents; since they are usually the first student contact families have with Ole Miss, and are a representation of the student body.

http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/ambassadors/about.htm