They’re likely the first students you’ll meet when you visit campus. That’s because Concordia's Student Ambassadors are on the frontlines of the university's admissions efforts: hosting tours, greetings visitors as they enter, and welcoming new students to the CUW community.
Student Ambassadors live and breath CUW, and they know the ins and outs of the university like no other student does. To get the gig, one must be caring, outgoing, and have a passion for Concordia and its mission. At its core, being a Student Ambassador is all about telling your unique Concordia story to prospective students and their families.
So, before you pay us a visit, take a moment to meet a few of the hardworking student-workers repping CUW!
Becca Roth
Q: What is your name, year, and major? What extracurriculars are you involved with?
A: My name is Becca Roth! I’m a sophomore here at CUW, and I’m a Secondary-Education English major with a Women’s Studies minor. I’m in the women’s choir, Selah, and I play organ and piano. I’m also in Black Student Union and the Comfort Dog Club, and of course, I’m a Student Ambassador!
Q: What’s your favorite part of being a Student Ambassador? Why?
A: My favorite part of being a Student Ambassador is that I get to show students around a great university and help them see how CUW could be a second home to them! I love being able to talk to them about their lives and their interests and welcome them into our CUW community.
Q: What question do you love to receive on tours?
A: I love to talk about the academics here! All the professors are really great at making sure their students are engaged in classes and that they’re learning things that will help them in their futures. It’s also great to be able to learn with all kinds of different majors, whether their studies are similar to you or totally different.
The most memorable question that I have ever received was about if people still roller-skated in the hallways like the nuns used to do! I said I don’t think so, but you’re welcome to try it and see what happens!
Q: If you were to encourage someone to consider Concordia right now, what would be the top three attributes you’d highlight?
A: I would highlight the interesting and engaging academic programs, the beautiful campus (what other school is right on the lake?!), and the welcoming community that you find here, no matter what you enjoy, like to do, or who you are.
Christian Dufresne
Q: What is your name, year, and major? What extracurriculars are you involved with?
A: My name is Christian Dufresne and I’m a senior Mass Communications major with a minor in Sports Media. I play on the football team and I am the editor of the Beacon Newspaper.
Q: What’s your favorite part of being a Student Ambassador? Why?
A: My favorite part of being a Student Ambassador is helping high school students figure out what they are looking for in a college and showing them all the great opportunities CUW has to offer them.
Q: What question do you love to receive on tours?
A: A question that I love receiving on tours is ‘Why did you choose Concordia?’ I love this question because I can talk about how Concordia has a family-like atmosphere and welcomes students from all different backgrounds.
Q: If you were to encourage someone to consider Concordia right now, what would be the top three attributes you’d highlight?
A: Concordia is a safe place to push yourself out of your comfort zone and a great place to make lifelong friends. We have an amazing view of Lake Michigan and we have our own private beach. Lastly, Concordia is a great place to continue your education among a community that encourages students to grow in their faith.
Kaela Branch
Q: What is your name, year, and major? What extracurriculars are you involved with?
My name is Kaela Branch and I am a Lutheran Special and Elementary Education Major. I am involved with Black Student Union on campus.
Q: What’s your favorite part of being a Student Ambassador? Why?
I love making memories and if I could be the reason why someone chooses CUW that would be amazing. Being a part of someone’s memory of why they pick your school is an honor within itself. I also love greeting people and having conversations with them before they leave campus–you learn so much about the different walks of life on campus!
Q: If you were to encourage someone to consider Concordia right now, what would be the top three attributes you’d highlight?
I would encourage them to come to Concordia because you are not just a number. Professors want to build those relationships with you outside the classroom just as importantly as they do inside the classroom. Also, Concordia has lots of opportunities for you to continue to walk in your faith life even away from home. Lastly, you will never have experienced Wisconsin terrible weather due to the tunnels we have. Your favorite summer shirt can be a year-round look!
James Switch
Q: What is your name, year, and major? What extracurriculars are you involved with?
A: My name is James Switch and I am a junior with a major in Elementary Education. I am in Ed Club and a part of CMLT.
Q: What’s your favorite part of being a Student Ambassador? Why?
A: My favorite part of being a Student Ambassador is getting to know our visitors. I like meeting new prospective students and getting to know them personally. I hope to provide them with a 5 star experience on campus!
Q: What question do you love to receive on tours?
A: I love to talk about housing and the move-in experience. I tend to spend a lot of time on this topic because I remember how big of a deal that was to me when I was moving onto campus for the first time. Fall Welcome Weekend is always a fun topic as well!
Q: If you were to encourage someone to consider Concordia right now, what would be the top three attributes you’d highlight?
A: At Concordia, you will formulate life-long relationships with your friends as well as your professors. Our staff is dedicated to your success unlike any other, and this is seen in their mandatory 10 office hours a week, which most professors exceed. There are also so many opportunities to get involved in so many things: we have over 35 varsity sports as well as many other opportunities to get involved in other sports, both competitive and non-competitive intramural leagues.
— Madelyne Arrigoni is a senior studying English, Mass Communications, and Photography. She plans to graduate in 2022.
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