In a program started almost two years ago by the Notre Dame admissions department, 38 young men and women from the school's upper division have been tasked with helping to bring the message and mission of NDPMA to prospective students and families.
Nominated as student "ambassadors" by Notre Dame teachers and administrators, and ultimately chosen by the admissions department, these 38 sophomores, juniors and seniors are "responsible for projecting and fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for anyone interested in Notre Dame, which could be both on or off campus," according to the program application.
THE A-TEAM
Emily Giacona, an associate dean of admissions who administers the program, which is formally known as the Student Ambassador Program, says these students are chosen through a highly competitive selection process and have a hugely important job in assisting with recruiting efforts.
"We look for students who are friendly, articulate, outgoing and have a good grasp of what our school is about," Giacona says. "They love Notre Dame, embrace the mission and live it!"
She says the ambassadors, informally known as the "A-Team," are critical to the work her department does. "Especially in the fall, when we are doing lots of school tours as well as many events and visits at the various elementary and parochial schools in the area, these kids provide a much-needed hand with just about everything. There are scholar banquets, freshmen icebreakers, the corn roast, open house and we visit about 30 schools in the area, mostly in the fall. It's really a crazy time for us."
A unique logo was designed for the ambassador program and when "on duty," the students wear special blazers, the style of which they picked out themselves.
NEON FRAMES
Student ambassadors also assist with some of the marketing materials and giveaways the admissions department uses. "For a few years, we were giving prospective students Notre Dame-branded lanyards," Giacona says. "But our ambassadors told us unequivocally that lanyards are NOT cool anymore. So now we are considering things like neon-framed sunglasses and even frisbees, which they say ARE cool." Lesson learned!
Giacona said the program has been a rousing success so far. "The parents, and especially the seventh- and eighth-grade kids who are considering Notre Dame, really respond to our ambassadors. Members also are encouraged—even during class—to approach any tours we are giving and to ask if they could be of any assistance, etc. If there's a test going on, however, they of course must stick to the test."
Director of Admissions Greg Simon said the ambassador program gives visiting parents a real student's perspective of what the school is all about versus what an adult admissions person might say. "It also shows that our students are, in a way, risk-takers, and not afraid to articulate what they like about ND," he said. "Nothing is rehearsed. They are just so great at talking about and representing the school, which is why they were chosen in the first place."
UNIVERSITIES ARE LOOKING
The ambassador program does not just benefit the school, though. Those chosen also derive many benefits themselves, especially when many are at a point in school when big decisions need to be made about colleges and careers. Giacona, who also serves as the lower division's International Baccalaureate coordinator, says college recruiters pay keen attention to extracurricular activities like Notre Dame's ambassador program. "It really looks good on a résumé when applying for the next level," she says. "Ambassadors also gain leadership and communication skills and because they are working so closely with admissions people, they are always on the inside track of what’s new at Notre Dame."
The admissions department typically takes nominations for the program from faculty and staff throughout the school year, but student nominees are required to complete an application and submit it around the first week of June. Simon says he tells applicants it's a big deal to even be nominated. "We tell them that as a recipient of a nomination to join the program, they should feel very honored. The nomination reflects the very high esteem in which the Notre Dame faculty holds them."
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