SUNY Niagara Ambassador

Admissions Ambassador:

Purpose: To provide SUNY Niagara Admissions with student ambassadors who contribute their time and talent to promote the college and its advantages to potential students and to the public mostly through campus tours, group visits, and open houses.

Who: Selected students wishing to give back to the college by working 3.5 to 5 hours per week for the Admissions office. Potential candidates should possess the following:

1. Ability and availability to work as an Ambassador to Admissions committing to 3.5 to 5 hours per week.

2. Interest and ability to speak in front of small groups of people.

3. Must possess a positive attitude regarding the college and the desire to promote the college to interested applicants.

4. Commitment to learning the tour information and ability to relate this information to the general public.

5. Ability to commit to at least one semester of working as an Ambassador.

How: All interested workers will be required to complete a training module with Admissions to be named as an Ambassador.

After the completion of the training, potential ambassadors must successfully complete a supervised campus tour to ensure their readiness to conduct campus tours as assigned.

Ambassadors will be required to submit a schedule of availability to Admissions in order to be scheduled for assigned tours.

Student Ambassadors will be required to adhere to a dress code that ensures an authentic representation of yourself as a student of the college. Admissions will provide SUNY Niagara “gear” (t-shirt/jacket) for students to wear. Student Ambassadors will be responsible for providing and wearing the rest of the appropriate attire.

Job duties and responsibilities:

1. Give scheduled tours to prospects and families

2. Participate in occasionally scheduled group visits and tours

3. Serve as the “faces” of SUNY Niagara; display pride, enthusiasm and professionalism in work as an Ambassador

4. Provide walking tours of campus and housing village for prospects, their families and friends

5. Provide a positive experience to participants

6. Assist, as needed, in Admissions events

7. Wear SUNY Niagara Ambassadors gear at all tours and admissions functions

8. Learn all content matter to be presented during the tour and at presentations

Pay: $16.00/hour

Student Ambassadors – Campus Tour Checklist

The Student Ambassador, as tour guide, is the face and personality of the college. This is one of the most important contacts that a prospective student will have with the college. Our Ambassadors should communicate the essence of what SUNY Niagara is.

A tour guide needs to consider and include the following:

1. Know your facts, but remember, it’s THEIR tour: Knowing the admissions tour script is essential to performing a successful campus tour. However, your ability to build a relationship/rapport with the student and family is what makes a tour successful. Ask them questions about their interests (academic, social, what they do for fun), what they’re most excited about going to college, what they’re most nervous about, and what are they looking for in their college experience. This will allow you to share facts about the institution and also provide examples from your personal experience or people you know.

2. Make visitors feel welcome: Remember to show your Thunderwolves pride and be proud to invite prospects to see how amazing SUNY Niagara is! ALWAYS BE POSITIVE!

3. Be an active communicator: Listen carefully to questions and concerns expressed by our prospects. Genuine empathy and active listening results in prospects feeling respected, welcomed and relaxed.

4. Personalize the tour: It is important to know the facts about the college, but you can also include your personal experiences and insights. This can help the prospect to envision themselves on SUNY Niagara’s campus.

5. Utilize resources: You will encounter students, staff and faculty as you lead your group on tour. They are typically willing participants in sharing information with your group if you want specific information or input. Don’t be afraid to ask them for information.

6. SUNY Niagara is unique! Think about all of the aspects that make SUNY Niagara an extraordinary college. Make sure that SUNY Niagara is memorable to prospects by sharing something unusual and exciting.

7. Interesting Tours: Be genuinely excited about conducting the tour. Keep in mind that your prospects on this tour are just beginning their educational journey and you need to convey genuine enthusiasm for them and SUNY Niagara!

8. Honesty is the best policy: Always be accurate and honest in the information you are sharing with a prospect. If you do not know the correct answer to a question, don’t make up an answer. Be honest – tell them you are not sure of the answer but will research it and get back to them. Prospects may be scheduled for an after-tour meeting with an Admissions Advisor/Recruiter. This would be an excellent time to touch base with the Advisor before the prospect meets with them to let them know the questions that were asked and remain unanswered. The Advisor will then make sure that the prospect gets the information they need.