Student Ambassadors Encourage Prospective Students to Enroll at Wilson College

By Destry Adams

As many prospective students explore the Wilson College of Textiles, the student ambassadors are the ones guiding and encouraging them to enroll in the programs. Their responsibilities include giving personal tours of the college or facilitating activities during TEXday like the Marshmallow Challenge, where prospective students have to build a structure made of spaghetti noodles and string to hold a marshmallow.

Jaquan Scott, Coordinator of Recruitment and Educational Outreach for the Wilson College of Textiles, oversees the student ambassador program. Student Ambassadors consist of undergraduates who are passionate about their studies, the college and NC State as a whole.

“One of the things that every ambassador said last year during interviews when we ask the question, ‘What is so special about the college?’ Every one of them mentioned that the Wilson College of Textiles feels like a family,” Scott says.

Get to know some of your student ambassadors by reading about them below.

Anne Graf

Senior, Fashion and Textile Design

When did you become a student ambassador and why?

I became a student ambassador sophomore year because I really liked the college and wanted to be more involved. I thought it would be a great way to share what I love about the college, and use my unique experiences here to help others.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I have enjoyed being involved in a lot of different events, getting to know a lot of the faculty, staff and students in the college, and meeting people in the industry.  I feel like I always know what’s going on in the college!

What are some skills that you have gained? 

Some skills I have gained include public speaking, giving tours and confidence in leading people.  I’ve also managed to not get lost in the catacomb-like basement, which has come in very handy.

Emma Harris

Senior, Fashion and Textile Design

When did you become a student ambassador and why?

I became a student ambassador in May of 2020, as I was ending my sophomore year. Joining the ambassadors was an opportunity to become more involved with the Wilson College of Textiles community and share my love for the school with prospective students.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador?

As a Wilson College of Textiles Student Ambassador, I enjoy having the opportunity to interact with incoming students and share the experience I’ve had at NC State. Furthermore, I love the chance to meet interesting alumni and industry partners that visit the college.

What was a challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it? 

Looking back at 2021, I was challenged by juggling school, an internship and a new life abroad. Staying on track with the ambassadors group and feeling connected to NC State was difficult and frustrating at times, but learning to balance all responsibilities was helpful in the end.

Steven Key

Junior, Textile Engineering

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became a student ambassador during the fall of 2021 because I wanted to share how wonderful the Wilson College of Textiles is with potential students. Since I have had many great experiences, I felt I could help other students understand what the Wilson College of Textiles has to offer.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy meeting with prospective students and telling them about all of the great experiences offered at the Wilson College of Textiles. I also love to give tours because they are a great way to meet many people around campus.

What was a memorable experience you had? 

One of the more memorable experiences that I had while in the ambassador program was when I gave a tour to a group of first-year students during their first week on campus. It was great to show them around the campus because I had been in their shoes not too long ago. Starting college can be difficult, and I thought it was so great to connect with younger students and try to help them see all of the great opportunities that are going to be in front of them in the future.

Shayleigh Larsen

Sophomore, Fashion and Textile Design 

When did you become a student ambassador and why?

I became an ambassador my rising sophomore year because I felt that I truly wanted to attend NC State after an exceptional experience on a Wilson College of Textiles campus tour. I learned that the college incorporated the artistic and scientific minds of students, and that was exactly what I wanted out of my college experience. I joined the ambassador program as soon as I could, so I would have the opportunity to share with others what the college has given me and can give them.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador?

I enjoy open houses and answering questions about the college. I have a lot of first-year friends that I try to help find their place at Wilson using my knowledge of textile clubs, labs and degrees. There are so many extracurriculars at NC State that it’s easy for every student to find at least one that they are passionate about.

What was a memorable experience you had? 

The most memorable experience I have had as an ambassador would definitely be when a few ambassadors were chosen to memorize a script and create a video for a virtual lab immersion tour. Though I had worked in the lab for a semester and was familiar with most of the machines, I remember constantly fumbling my words and almost tripping over my own feet in front of the hired video crew. It was my most memorable experience as an ambassador because it is when I felt most vulnerable in what I was doing.

Maggie McCullough

Sophomore, Fashion and Textile Management

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became a student ambassador at the beginning of my sophomore year because I felt at home from my first experience at NC State during the Summer Textile Exploration Program. Despite COVID-19 and the abundance of online classes during my freshman year, I have loved my time so far It’s clear how much the Wilson College cares for its students and does everything that it can to help them succeed. The college has strong relationships and a tight-knit community, and I want to help relay this to others.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy being a student ambassador because I am really passionate about what we do here at Wilson College and about working in the fashion and textile industry. Getting to explain this experience to others, especially high school students, is an amazing experience.

What was a challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it? 

Being a first-year student in 2020 was very challenging because it was hard to feel connected when you are quarantined at home and taking all of your classes online. That is part of the reason that I became an ambassador – so that I could get involved and learn more about the college but also so that I could help others do the same.

Graham Neve

Senior, Polymer and Color Chemistry

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became a student ambassador once I learned how great the Wilson College of Textiles was. I was involved in research and wanted to help others get involved if they were interested. 

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy representing NC State and helping others with community engagement.

What was a challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it? 

I had a hard time helping Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management (TATM) majors, as I am in the Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science (TECS) department of textiles. Talking with TATM majors and learning what they do on a day-to-day basis helped me get through this. 

Emily Odykirk

Senior, Textile Technology

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became a student ambassador in the fall of 2020 because I have had so many great experiences in the Wilson College of Textiles, and I wanted to have the opportunity to share how wonderful this college is with potential students and get them excited about their educational possibilities.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy being able to actively support the college, whether it’s through tours, the open house or career fair.

What was a memorable experience you had? 

After a panel I sat on for the T101 class, I talked with a student who was really nervous about her major and how that decision would impact her career. It just so happened that I was questioning the same thing as her when I was a  first-year student. I was able to share the path that I took and explain the differences between textile technology and textile engineering. I was able to visibly see the stress drain from her, and it was really rewarding that I could help so much.

Jake Papazekos

Junior, Polymer and Color Chemistry 

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I applied at the end of my second year and officially became one at the start of my third year. I joined because of my love and appreciation for the Wilson College of Textiles, and I want to give back to my college by showing others how great it really is.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I love having the opportunity to represent the college through talking to prospective students, be it through tours, panels or information tables.

What was a challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it? 

One of the most common challenges I face as an ambassador is being asked a question that I do not know the answer to. This happens all the time. To overcome this, I give full honesty that I am unsure, yet I give them the best answer I can and then connect them with someone who is better educated on the topic.

Chloe Patterson

Junior, Polymer and Color Chemistry

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became a student ambassador in January 2022. As someone who transferred to the Wilson College of Textiles, I love sharing my insight on what makes the Wilson College of Textiles unique from other colleges at NC State. I love everything about the Wilson College of Textiles and want to share my experiences with other students. 

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy being a part of such amazing student leaders. Every ambassador has unique experiences and personalities. I feel like the ambassador program is a group of high-achievers that push each other r to be better. I have also really enjoyed meeting all the faculty and staff in the college and participating in events where I get to interact with potential new students. 

What was a memorable experience you had? 

The most memorable experience I have had was writing letters to students who were accepted to the Wilson College of Textiles. All of the ambassadors got together for a meal and wrote handwritten letters to admitted students. I loved this event because it was so exciting to hear about all of the students that could potentially be at NC State this fall. 

Lara Prosser

Junior, Textile Engineering

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became a student ambassador in the fall of 2021 because I love the Wilson College of Textiles. As an ambassador, I get the privilege to share my experiences and encourage others to become a part of this wonderful community. I also wanted to draw people to textile engineering as there are lots of opportunities waiting for students who join the program!

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy sharing my experiences with prospective students and answering their questions about textile engineering. It gives me the opportunity to encourage them to apply as well as make their decision about where they want to spend the next couple of years easier.

What was a memorable experience you had? 

Recently, a few ambassadors got to be a part of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) day, which included events for high school and middle school students. We encouraged students to collaborate and make a parachute out of miscellaneous materials. It was so fun to see how they approached solving a problem and being able to answer their questions about the STEM side of the Wilson College of Textiles.

Derek Summers

Senior, Textile Engineering 

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became an ambassador in the fall of 2020 and wanted to become more involved with the Wilson College of Textiles and help more students learn about the curriculum. Initially,  I had no idea textile engineering was a major until a friend in textile technology told me about it during my first year.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy meeting the prospective students and showing them what the college and NC State have to offer them. I also love going into detail about the science and technology behind all of the college’s labs and machinery.

What was a challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it? 

My first semester being an ambassador was held online, so all tours had to be done over Zoom. I had to memorize an electronic tour route and be able to explain the labs and equipment well enough for the prospective student to understand it without being able to see it in person.

Victor Alvarez Valverde

Sophomore, Textile Technology 

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became a student ambassador going into my fall semester of 2021. I became an ambassador mainly because my tours of the Wilson College of Textiles during high school played a large role in my selection process for schools and majors. I wanted to be a part of that process since textiles is a subject that is foreign to a large percentage of students, and the ambassadors program allows me to express my passion or excitement about the college to potential students”

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy being able to tell others about what I love with detailed explanations as to why. I also enjoy giving tours of the college as it gives me a sense of pride in being a part of something larger than myself and being a member of the community that is the Wilson College of Textiles. 

What was a memorable experience you had?

The most memorable experience I have had so far was Open House during the fall and being able to be a part of the student panel. I loved this experience because it allowed me to directly tell future students about what I do, while also being able to listen to their interests and how those interests may align with the classes a textile technology student takes and the labs that they use. Another aspect of Open House that I really enjoyed was talking to the other ambassadors in different majors in the Wilson College of Textiles in open dialogue during the presentation. These conversations gave the audience and myself a cohesive picture of the Wilson College of Textiles.

Maddie Wilson

Senior, Textile Technology

When did you become a student ambassador and why? 

I became interested in the Wilson College of Textiles from listening to someone talk about how textiles are not just fashion but the science behind it as well. Then when I toured, I really fell in love with the atmosphere and the program. I wanted to be able to give that to the future students coming in and show them how amazing our program is.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador? 

I enjoy giving tours to interested incoming students about what the Wilson College of Textiles has to offer and sitting on panels to talk to current students about my experiences throughout the college.

What was a memorable experience you had? 

I gave a tour to an interested student, and then a year later, I sat in front of him and gave a panel talk to him as a first-year student. It was really amazing to see, especially when he came up to me and remembered me, and it was just a full-circle moment.