Students Step Forward as the Face of K
Gabe Montesanti Staff Writer
For the first time in Kalamazoo College history, the President’s staff chose 12 student ambassadors to represent K at its best. The students range from sophomores to seniors, and they will attend events on and off campus with President Wilson-Oyelaran.
The group of twelve representatives, including international students and seniors with a wide range of study abroad experiences, have many different approaches to the K Plan.
Their job is to update alumni and friends of the college about current life at K and provide insight to the student experience.
Kate Willard, coordinator of the President’s student ambassadors, explained that the ambassadors’ job is to interact with alumni and represent the college.
“I think the majority of the impact will be off campus,” she said. “This new program is great for alumni, potential donors and community members, because they like hearing directly from students. It’s for people who understand the concept of K, but aren’t actually here.”
Faculty members initially nominated the students for the position. Then, they formally applied and interviewed down to the final twelve. Willard stressed how vital the selection of student ambassadors was to the predicted success of the program.
Kate Willard, coordinator of the Presidents Student Ambassadors. Photo by: Ogden Wright
“We had to choose students with leadership experience,” Willard said. “We aimed for diversity like externships, internships and study abroad, so that together, they can speak of the full experience. We were also looking for outgoing students, because we knew they would be going out in the world to represent the best of K.”
Student Ambassador Tendai Mudyiwa ’14 is an international student from Harare, Zimbabwe. He said the student ambassadors program has special significance to him.
“For me, it gives the opportunity to share my story. It’s my way of giving back [to] the people who made this opportunity possible,” Mudyiwa said. “I will definitely benefit from the experience, because I will get to meet alumni and it will put me in a reflective position.”
Phoebe Solomon ’13 had a slightly different perspective on her new job. Solomon explained that this job presents new opportunities and challenges for her.
“Essentially, we are the face of K College,” she said. “We represent the president. We will be at homecoming, various gatherings with the board, and we’ll travel to different cities like Detroit and Chicago.”
Solomon added that she accepted the position of student ambassador as a way to pay back the institution.
“I think being selected means that the school and I are on the same page. I love this place, and it feels great to represent the school in this way,” she said.
