Student Success Leaders
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
From left to right: Elizabeth Perdue, Ambassador, Kyle Medders, Career Liaison, Xin Mei Teng, Multicultural Programs Leader
Describe your role on your respective Student Success Leader team?
Elizabeth: My role as an Ambassador consists of visiting with prospective students for the Ferguson College of Agriculture and representing the college on an educational platform to inform others about all of the endless opportunities available. Not only do I get to share information about the college, but I get share my story about the college of agriculture and how it has positively impacted my college career.
Kyle: As a Career Liaison, I participate in office hours each week in the Fish Bowl, where I help students with resumes and cover letters, provide career tips and advice and help students prepare for interviews.
Mei: Multicultural Programs Leaders host several events throughout the year and get a lot of experience in event planning.
We also assist students in planning for study abroad experiences.
How has being an SSL shaped your college experience?
Elizabeth: Being an SSL has no doubt been one of the best experiences of my college career. It has brought me lifelong friendships and connections that I was looking for coming into college. I have always considered myself someone who can talk to anyone, but this experience has allowed for me to step out of my comfort zone to be able to communicate with others at ease.
Kyle: Being an SSL has shaped my college experience by giving me a way to get involved and get to know people. I have made so many connections through my experience as an SSL.
Mei: I would say a majority of my resources and connections in college came from being an SSL because I got to know new people and developed closer relationships with faculty.
What is your favorite part of being an SSL?
Elizabeth: My favorite part about being an SSL is being able to communicate with others about all of the opportunities that the Ferguson College of Agriculture has to offer. Learning and sharing interesting facts about the college is an exciting way to connect with prospective students.
Kyle: My favorite part is the friends I’ve made through my time as an SSL.
Mei: My favorite part of being an SSL is being able to serve the college and the students. As an MPL, I also enjoy hosting our own events and partnering with other clubs and organizations.
What would you say to someone interested in applying to be an SSL?
Elizabeth: It is a great way to get involved within the college and can easily become one of your favorite college experiences. If you have any questions or concerns about applying, talk to a current SSL about their experience.
Kyle: I would say it’s a great way to get involved in the college, make new friends and give back.
Mei: Being an SSL is not only about adding something to your resume, but really having the initiative to spend time and work on events and serve the community in and out of the college. I would highly recommend applying to be an SSL because you will be able to share your experience and views while still learning a lot from others.
What is the time commitment like?
Elizabeth: The time commitment ranges from one to three hours per week. Each ambassador has prospective student visits every other week that are two hours long, and we have weekly ambassador meetings that last about an hour.
Kyle: The time commitment is about two hours every week.
Mei: We spend approximately one hour each week in group meetings and one hour for officer meetings. When we host an event, we usually spend another hour helping to execute it.
What events do you participate in as an SSL?
Elizabeth: As an SSL, I have had the opportunity to participate in various events, such as setting up and working the Ferguson College of Agriculture Career Fair, Orange Fridays, Saturday campus tours and National FFA Convention.
Kyle: Career Liaisons play a large role in the Ferguson College of Agriculture Career Fair.
Mei: MPLs participate in Celebrate Agriculture, orientation, year-end party, round table, multicultural conversations and assist with career fair.
How does your team interact with the other SSL teams?
Elizabeth: Throughout the year, the SSL teams interact with each other by helping each other out with various events. For example, when members of the ambassador team attended National FFA Convention, the SSL teams came together to help write thank you cards. On top of that, at the end of the year all of the teams get together at the SSL Holiday Party.
Kyle: Our team interacts with other teams a lot during Career Fair. As a Career Liaison, I also interact with members of every team weekly in the Fish Bowl just talking and hanging out .
Mei: We have a large group meeting from time to time and we meet each other in the fishbowl hanging around and talking.