Ambassadors Reunite
Special thanks to Kristine Dahm, Counselor, Student Engagement Services, for suggesting this story, and sending details and photos. |
Group photo on the steps in Georgiadis: Back row, 4th row:
Franck Kamga
(2013-14), Johnathan Hancock (2017-18),
Dylan Chaplin (2014-15), Kingston Joseph (grandson of
Christine Booker) 3rd row: Saadia Jones (2016-17),
Cara Luyster (Coordinator of New Student Orientation
and honorary Ambassador advisor), Muhahmmad “Moe”
Umar (2011-12) and his nephew, Chenelle Williams
(2019-20) 2nd row: Theresa Johnson (2014-15),
Ruxandra Zait (2014-15), Sakinah Jones (2019-20),
Sharneice McDaniel (2018-19), Karen MacKay (2016-17)
1st
row: Kristine Dahm (Ambassador supervisor),
Christine Booker (former Ambassador advisor)
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Events like this don't just happen. There is always a "driver" who gets behind the wheel and mashes the gas. The Ambassador Reunion "driver" is Kris Dahm.
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Sakinah Jones (current Ambasador,
2019-20), Saadia Jones (2016-17)
– sisters.
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Meg Foster started the Ambassador program in 2006. When Kris Dahm came to work at Reynolds in 2011 to fill Meg's position, Kris also inherited the Ambassador program and has been the Ambassadors' supervisor ever since.
"Since I've been keeping an alumni roster (since my first group of Ambassadors in 2011-12)," says Kris, "we've had 57 Ambassadors. I started having reunions in 2014 and the plan was to have one at least every two years, although that didn’t always happen. We had another one in 2016 and then this last one in 2019. It was especially important for me to have a reunion this year because my job is changing and I will no longer supervise the Ambassadors. I will miss working with this special group of students."
When asked what the best thing is about the Ambassador program, Kris has a clear list. "There are several good things," she says. Here they are:
- Students learn valuable leadership skills as they learn how to work in a team, speak in front of a large group, manage conflict, and improve their communication skills.
- The Ambassadors take part in the annual VCCS Student Leadership Conference, which is a weekend-long conference for student leaders in the VCCS. They attend break-out sessions on different leadership topics, meet students from across the state, and take part in a service project.
- At the end of every year, I ask them if they think they have a greater sense of engagement with the campus community than they did before they started the program. Overwhelmingly, they say yes. Being an Ambassador made them feel part of the campus community and they are able to get to know faculty and staff. Since they work so many SOAR sessions, they meet all of the advisors in Student Affairs, staff members in the Enrollment Management Division, faculty members who help with SOAR, and the Dean of Students and other upper-level Administrators.
- They often form friendships with the other Ambassadors, which last long past their time at Reynolds.
Ambassadors serve three semesters, summer, fall and spring. If you know a student who would make a good Ambassador, now is the time to encourage them to find out more about the program.
At the start of this semester Kris Dahm is moving into a new role at Reynolds, Counselor, Student Engagement Services. Katelyn Eden, new to Reynolds, will be the Counselor, First Year Initiatives. Students interested in the Ambassador Program can call the general SOAR number: 804-523-5155 for more information.
At the start of this semester Kris Dahm is moving into a new role at Reynolds, Counselor, Student Engagement Services. Katelyn Eden, new to Reynolds, will be the Counselor, First Year Initiatives. Students interested in the Ambassador Program can call the general SOAR number: 804-523-5155 for more information.
