Engaging the Department of Sociology and Anthropology Community

We are excited to share with you the latest news and updates from your own Sociology and Anthropology Student Ambassadors! The Student Ambassadors are a group of undergraduate students who assist with student recruitment, mentoring, and involvement. As we continue to grow and expand our reach, we want to ensure that we are engaging with our community in meaningful ways. What better way to learn about who we are as an organization than to hear from our student leaders? You will gain a deeper understanding of our value to the students and community through the words of our student leaders, who are passionate about advocating for CHASS and its mission.

Student leaders play a crucial role in the success of a Student Ambassador program. The program has two Assistant Directors who help with managing and administering the Constitution, generating fundraising ideas, curating engaging posts for our social media pages, and collaborating on events with the committees. Student Coordinators ensure that students are informed about campus events and encourage connections between students and their own Ambassadors. 

They are responsible for representing their school to prospective students. These students act as liaisons between the college staff and current Student Ambassadors, as well as those considering attending the college. Their responsibilities usually include planning events, contacting students and staff, and being the face of the program. Here are three of our student leaders responses to the following questions asked: 

“How have you been involved with the Student Ambassador program, and how has that shaped your perspective?”

• “I have been involved in the Student Ambassador program since Spring of 2022. I started off as a member; I wanted to get the feel of the organization. Since last year, I have been assigned the role of Assistant Director. As a result of the program, I was able to become more organized, keep up with multiple meetings, and develop my creative ideas about how I wanted to see the program develop.” → Madison Thomas, current year: senior, current role: Assistant Director, and Criminology major with a minor in Business Administration  

• “As a result of my involvement in alumni events hosted by the department, I have gained a great deal of insight into what my major – Criminology – has to offer. Being in the program has made me more engaging within the CHASS community. Hosting these events has given me the opportunity to meet new people. These days, I often see some of these people in my class and I get to say “hi” or have a good conversation with them. I have been exposed to more social interactions through this program.” → Madison Hofner, current year: third, current role: Student Connections Mentee, and Psychology/Criminology major with a minor in Cognitive Science.    

• “I joined the Student Ambassador program in the middle of my sophomore year. In the beginning, it was a way to meet new people and become more involved on campus. It is fun to meet other prospective students and I wanted to get first-hand experience from others. I volunteered at every graduation ceremony and it has been enjoyable for me! I wanted to be the person to push out events and get connected with students. As a result of the program, I have learned how important it is to know that students are comfortable asking for help and reaching out to one another.” → Connor Nelson, current year: senior, current role: Student Connection Coordinator, and Criminology major with minors in Forensic Science and Political Science  

“What do you think makes our institution unique? And how would you communicate that to others?”

• “The Ambassador program itself is unique. We make such a strong effort to connect with our students. We host parties, alumni events, and give out resources that could be useful for our students. Our goal is to provide students with as many resources as possible. It has evolved into a family and is an inclusive environment that I feel has grown over the years. We want every student to know that someone cares and supports them.” → Madison Thomas, current year: senior, current role: Assistant Director and Criminology major with a minor in Business Administration  

• “NC State supplies a huge level of support, resources, and guidance. As a student, it is important to me that NC State cares about its students, and I think other people feel the same way. NC State emphasizes the importance of mental health and taking care of oneself. This community has shown that there is something out there for everybody.” → Madison Hofner, current year: third, current role: Student Connections Mentee and Psychology/Criminology major with a minor in Cognitive Science

• “From my knowledge, some colleges don’t have Student Ambassadors. I think that us, as a program, have done so much for our community. Older students can be very helpful in advising younger students on which classes to take and how many credits one can take. The purpose of our Student Ambassadors is to encourage students to reach out for support among other students who may be able to assist them. Students who are undecided about their major can benefit from CHASS promotion. Nothing is ever set to stone.” → Connor Nelson, current year: senior, current role: Student Connection Coordinator, and Criminology major with minors in Forensic Science and Political Science  

Well there you have it! A few words for our student leaders and their experiences with the program! Be on the lookout for upcoming events including volleyball, spraying the tunnel, board games, and parties. As Connor would say, “Be on the lookout for your email!” 

By Andrea Martinez-Sandoval, Criminology major and Department of Sociology and Anthropology Student Ambassador