Lion Ambassadors…Build Your Resume, Build Penn State York!

- LeighAnn Myers, Admissions Counselor/Lion Ambassador Adviser

Becoming an enthusiastic tour guide of a college or university is one of the best ways to build a resume while being a student in college. Students are able to build skills such as public speaking, leadership, time management and social skills. Being a tour guide enables students to build friendships while having fun promoting their university! In fact, being a tour guide can be one of the most rewarding experiences, both personally and professionally, that a student can have during their college career.

Student tour guides at Penn State York are called Lion Ambassadors. Students must apply, interview, and be selected to become a member of this elite student group. Lion Ambassadors at the Penn State York campus are committed students filled with positive energy and a love of their University. These current students work closely with the admissions office and the Lion Ambassador adviser to ensure that their ambassador responsibilities and expectations are met. Lion Ambassadors will gain knowledge of Penn State facts, organizations, community service projects, athletics, and information about the overall admissions process. There are typically twenty students selected each year to be Lion Ambassadors, including an executive board made up of a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Being a Lion Ambassador provides a social network of friends, and a variety of service opportunities that will translate to work experience on any resume.

The Lion Ambassadors are an extremely active part of the student community at Penn State York. Tour training occurs every year and is mandated for each Lion Ambassador. When prospective students and families or visiting groups come to campus, the Lion Ambassadors guide their campus tour, show them our state-of-the-art facilities, share personal stories, and enlighten them on the history of the Penn State York campus. The information provided by friendly Lion Ambassadors gives prospective students the information that they need to make a pivotal choice for their future.

Although leading campus tours is an important part of being a Lion Ambassador, there are other equally vital campus and community outreach responsibilities shared within the student organization. Along with mandatory attendance at membership meetings, Lion Ambassadors are expected to participate in a number of campus events. They are required to attend the Penn State Day Fall Open House during October, which is an event open to all prospective students and families interested in attending Penn State. During this Saturday event, Lion Ambassadors lead students on group tours and participate on student panels in front of a large group of visitors in order to give them an overview of the student experience on our campus. Student Lion Ambassadors are also expected to assist with the Spring Offer Reception, which is an event open to students who have been offered admission to Penn State York.

On a monthly basis, every Lion Ambassador is required to attend biweekly membership meetings, which take place every other Wednesday at noon. In addition, students are required to give campus tours at least two times per month.

Lion Ambassadors are also encouraged to make telephone calls to prospective student through regularly scheduled phone-a-thons. After prospective students have been offered admission to the Penn State York campus, the Lion Ambassadors place calls to these students congratulating them on their acceptance, as well as answering any questions they may have about Penn State.

Another responsibility for our active Lion Ambassadors is committee involvement. There are three different committees within the Lion Ambassadors organization from which to choose – social, community service, and fundraising. Each committee holds meetings and develops strategic plans for various exciting campus and community events throughout the year. The fundraising committee helps coordinate fundraising activities such as selling subs, and Joe Corbi’s pizza, as well as holding car washes in the community.

Their fundraising efforts go toward social events within Lion Ambassadors, and more importantly toward community service events. The community service committee is focused on activities that give back to the community and the Lion Ambassadors take great pride in their community service events! Various community service events include Christmas caroling at nursing homes, volunteering at soup kitchens, and also assisting families in need. Lastly, the social committee helps to facilitate the social aspect of being involved with Lion Ambassadors. This group of committee members develop fun activities for our retreat, Hershey Park trip, pool parties, and movie nights.

Last year was a very successful year for Lion Ambassador committee involvement. Students fundraised through Joe Corbi’s pizza and Pellman’s dessert to fully fund a Hershey Park trip. Lion Ambassadors also collected tabs for the Ronald McDonald house organization and then delivered those tabs to the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey. Tabs that are collected and given to the Ronald McDonald House are used to pay for utilities while families stay in the Ronald McDonald House. Our Lion Ambassadors also worked closely with a York church family that was in need during the holidays to help with food and gifts for the children. To join in the holiday fun, the Lion Ambassadors went to a local hospital and sang Christmas carols to the patients. These are just some of the exciting experiences our students took part in last year!

Being a Lion Ambassador is hard work, but also lots of fun. As the students work together on campus and community events, they form lasting friendships with other outgoing, motivated, and civic-minded peers. There are also many social activities within the Lion Ambassador organization designed to foster that deep sense of camaraderie.

Being a Lion Ambassador benefits the student, the campus, and our York community. Through the Lion Ambassadors organization, students develop friendships, have fun and show off their Penn State pride!

Lion Ambassadors ARE …

• Tour Guides
• Spirit Raisers
• Student Recruiters
• Student Leaders

… PENN STATE!

For more information and to obtain an application for the 2012-13 academic year, please see our Lion Ambassador website at, http://www.yk.psu.edu/StudentLife/lion.htm or e-mail LeighAnn Myers at lnm5048@psu.edu