Weatherford College student ambassadors are more than just friendly faces; they are the embodiment of the college’s values, serving as dedicated representatives and leaders both on and off campus.
Through their commitment to service, professionalism and personal growth, these students gain invaluable experience while making a lasting impact on the college community.
While leading campus tours for prospective students is a key responsibility, the ambassadors' duties extend far beyond that. They assist with a wide range of events, from scholarship dinners and presidential luncheons to community outreach programs and high school recruitment initiatives.
Grant Mills, who oversees the program, emphasized the importance of providing ambassadors with diverse opportunities to network and engage with community leaders.
“It's super important as a young professional in college to begin practicing their skills,” Mills said. "By interacting with inspiring individuals, they gain confidence and build connections that will benefit them throughout their careers."
Mills has implemented significant changes to streamline the program, including the introduction of an automated booking system for tours, which allows for efficient scheduling and provides valuable data on program effectiveness. His next goal is for the ambassadors to join the Young Business Leaders program with the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce.
Every member of the group receives a scholarship from the Weatherford College Foundation and is committed to at least seven hours of work for the college each week, but they almost always volunteer their time beyond that.
"My goal is to give them the perspective that these are opportunities,” he said. “It's not a job; it's an opportunity. For students like Colby who participated in the Roger Williams luncheon held on campus. He got to shake his hand, talk to him and ask him questions. It’s a very unique opportunity, and I try to get them as many chances like that as possible.
Colby Wolf is a third-year WC student and first-year ambassador pursuing his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. He credits the Student Ambassador program with transforming his leadership abilities and career aspirations.
"The ambassador program has helped me cultivate professional skills and connect with people I wouldn't have otherwise met," he said. "It's changed my entire career path."
Originally from the farming town on Windthorst, Wolf wasn’t planning on going to college and figured he’d work on the family’s dairy farm. But during the last part of his senior year, his English teacher took a tour of WC and came back praising the college.
“She said it was one of the best community colleges in the area, and it had an HEB 15 minutes away. That’s literally what she said,” Wolf laughed. “WC is a great community college that looks like a university but is not as expensive. That was my main goal. I wanted to see if I liked college without dropping $10,000. That’s a big gamble in my book.”
Wolf jumped into life at WC. He had three great roommates at Coyote Village and is now a resident assistant for Durant Hall, the president of the Student Ambassadors organization, and, most recently, was elected president of the Student Government Association. As for his future, he is now planning to go into higher education leadership.
Wolf’s story is just one of many examples of how the ambassador program has shaped the lives of WC students. Hailey Safer, who came to WC from Wisconsin, said the program opened up new horizons for her. Jude Webb, an accounting student, highlighted the program's impact on his personal and communication skills. And Maycee Pangle, a first-generation college student, said she values the networking opportunities and resume-building experience.
And when it comes time for students to apply to the ambassador program for next year, Pangle said. “Just do it. It’s amazing. You get so many perks; you meet so many people. You have to do it.”
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