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Reflections
Week 1
This week I worked two Student Orientation Leader information sessions. Through these events I was able to speak on my experience with the SOL and Ambassador programs. I was able to relay my stories of triumphs and tribulations within the positions and ultimately what I've gained through the programs that otherwise I would have been unable to acquire. For example, I have developed long lasting friendships with my coworkers (who have turned into some of my best friends), I have networked with professional staff members throughout the various departments at UC Blue Ash, and I have obtained experience with public speaking specifically in a professional setting. I hope that I accurately portrayed the various benefits to the group of upcoming SOL candidates. Additionally, this week I obtained my negative COVID-19 results which meant I was able to return to campus and continue working within my positions in person. I was able to reconnect with my counterparts in the Admissions Office which was quite a delight for me-I also learned that I will be a lead on the instagram page for the Admissions Office. Therefore, I have many exciting and challenging new additions to my Spring semester.
Week 2
This week I worked an event with my fellow ambassador and friend, Stephanie. We got to virtually visit a classroom of students interested in hearing of the various student leadership opportunities offered at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash. Stephanie and I spoke on the pathways that we've taken in student leadership and our transitions into each of the positions. During this event, we also had the chance to revisit CampusLink and explain the avenues of engagement and involvement for students (which happened to be a great reminder for myself as well). Throughout the week, I also signed up for a few events that are being held next week-one of which being an event through the Writing and Study Skills Center where I'd have the chance to act as a participant in an event which sounds very exciting.
Week 3
This week I had the opportunity to involve myself in various events. The first of which being a virtual classroom visit that I hosted with Erin where we were able to hold a brainstorm session that pertained to the events the students would like to see on campus; and possible organizations they would like to form. The second event was for the Writing and Study Skills Center. Again, I worked with Erin and our duty was to participate as students and post replies to entice student engagement. The ambassadors also took part in our first meeting of the semester. We were able to set the tone and expectations for the remainder of the school year. Finally, the ambassadors partook in a leadership retreat. It was an activity-driven event that encouraged participants to interact with one another and also learn valuable leadership techniques. I will take what I've learned from this event and apply the information to the positions I hold in addition to the ambassadorship.
Week 4
This week I worked the welcome desk and while my early morning shift has taken some adjusting, I feel like I've become acclimated to my new routine. Welcome desk shifts always allow me to become my most productive self, especially at 8 am. It sets the tone for the rest of my day and honestly my week-so my welcome desks shifts are well-received and appreciated. While there weren't many events held this week, I am looking forward to the various Black History Month events going on throughout the next few weeks and the rest of the month!
Week 5
This week I wasn't able to participate in all of my ambassador events because of the several snow storms that occurred throughout the week. While I got to sleep in a few extra hours during what would have been my welcome desk shift, I fell behind on my weekly assignments and had to stay up late on Tuesday to remain on track. This made me realize that if my routine falls off balance, all of my obligations could be effected. Not to mention the fact that I really dread the cold. However, I was still able to meet with my peers for our bi-weekly ambassador meeting. We talked about the upcoming new positions that we will be fulfilling (mine is conducting exit-interviews to students that have left our campus for non-academic reasons). Additionally, the ambassadors are going to take a survey that implicates what type of leader we are. I am excited to take my test, share my results, and hear what leaders my fellow ambassadors are. I'm curious to see if the ambassadors and I score as the type of leaders I think we will!
Week 6
This week was the second week that I was not able to work my welcome desk shift and again, I felt the effects of being able to attend my shift. While winter, the cold, and snow aren't necessarily my cup of tea, I did take the opportunity of not having work to sled with my sister and boyfriend (in part because of my sister's incessant aggravation on the topic). I actually enjoyed the experience and would even say that I was the best at it. I also worked an event for the Writing and Study Skills Center. We discussed the things students wished they knew about college before entering. Perhaps my favorite bit of information was pertaining to the food pantry service that we offer to UC Blue Ash students. Students who necessitate the service will be provided with free groceries for three days. This is an amazing service that I will endorse to all prospective students now.
Week 7
This week the ambassadors where we shared a meeting where we shared our top 5 strengths that we collected from a website called CliftonStrengthsFinder. My top 5 traits were activator, maximizer, focus, competition, and developer. I was surprised by how in depth the descriptions of the traits were-they were truly specific traits to the individuals. My favorite part of the exercise was seeing how many areas the ambassadors strengths spread out into (the exercise showed me how many amazing attributes our team possesses). This week I also worked a virtual classroom visit where I reconnected with someone that I had went to high school with. I was able to talk about the many ways to get involved with campus and my friend seemed really interested in the student leadership opportunities. I also worked my first Black History Month event with David (a fellow ambassador who is absolutely hilarious) and Tracy Davis of the Student Life Office. There was a guest speaker who spoke on the many ways that black musicians have influenced and established the music that we hear today. One of my last noteworthy events was my first campus tour. This was my first tour and I was a combination of nervous and excited but I studied prior to the tour and it greatly helped with the department details that I was able to relay to the prospective students. I had an action packed event in terms of the ambassadorship and I only want that to continue!
Week 8
This week I worked two campus tours which I now feel tremendously comfortable with leading. I showed students around the entire campus and spoke on my favorite resources. I also encouraged the visitors to get involved once on campus due to the various student leadership opportunities we have, in which a lot of prospective students expressed interest. I also finished the first phase of exit interviews that I conducted to students who departed from the University for nonacademic reasons. There was more engagement than I had originally thought in terms of student willingness to answer my questions. I was able to reach about half of the students on my list. The responses were across the board as to reasons why the students left the University but most attributed leaving to COVID-19 and the dislike of online classes. Next week I hope to have the opportunity to work some events for our departments on campus.
Week 9
This week I worked two events in addition to my welcome desk shift, a campus tour and a citation workshop for the Writing and Study Skills center. At the campus tour I got to show more of my personality as the times I led tours prior, I was solely focused on distributing accurate information to my group. That is still the main goal, but I now feel comfortable enough to share my personal experiences and self-deprecating humor about how the resources on campus have accommodated the struggles I've faced as a new college student. The citation workshop held a lot of useful information regarding the proper insertion of quotes into a body of text and how to refer to another piece of writing in a way that avoids plagiarism. My role included setting an example of active participation to encourage the students to partake in the conversations. Next week a priority will be to conduct the second phase of exit interviews.
Week 10
This week I worked two campus tours, a welcome desk shift, and I contacted the second phase of exit interviews that I was to conduct. The campus tours are quickly becoming my favorite ambassador task. They challenge me because I have to remember talking points at roughly 15 spots on campus. Additionally, they challenge me in that I want to provide an informative but fun visit to prospective students and families. This past Friday, I worked at the check in station for admissions so prior to the start of my tour I was able to learn the names of everyone in my group as well as their majors (this was beneficial because I could then point out the departments of their majors whilst on the tour). The exit interviews were less successful in the second phase which was disappointing. However, I didn't make 3 call attempts so maybe I can attribute the lack of participants with the absence of the third attempt. Next week, I will focus on finishing my obligations for the "Scavenger Project" that we are going to start implementing for campus visits.
Week 11
This week I worked us a welcome desk shift and a campus tour. I also worked a Pre-Orientation event that acted as a make shift Open House. There were several different breakout rooms that students could choose from including financial aid, accessibility resources, orientation, advising, and admissions (the room I was put into). I acted as a moderator of the virtual chat box. I worked alongside my fellow admission student workers which made me a lot more comfortable since I was not accepting the full role of chat moderator. The majority of the questions pertained to placement testing, deadlines, and requirements. The upcoming week I am largely taking to myself since I will be on a trip celebrating my mom's 50th birthday. We are going to Disney World (not very shocking for anyone who knows me). I look forward to this time away but I will be ready to finish the semester strong upon returning.
Week 12
This week I was out of town and did not engage in as many ambassador opportunities as usual. I did, however, work on my exit interviews for phase three. I made the first call attempt to everyone on my call list and was unsuccessful for each person, even after I called both of the phone numbers listed on the excel document. I intend on finishing the list on Monday morning but I am nervous that I will have the success rate that I had during the first phase. Since I went on vacation, I was unavailable to proceed with my regularly scheduled welcome desk shift. That being said, I want to take the chance to thank Noah for covering my welcome desk shift, so thank you Noah. I am looking forward to representing the ambassadorship program for the remainder of the semester.
Week 13
This week I worked two campus tours, attended an ambassador meeting, and finished the third phase of the exit interviews. As the semester is rearing the end, I'm reflecting over the year I've had in the ambassadorship and I could not be more grateful to be a part of the organization. I have improved as a leader, worker, and person since getting involved at UC Blue Ash and luckily I get to continue my journey in my new position as Student Ambassador Intern. I will work alongside Hariph who I cannot wait to take on this new experience with. With there being a limited amount of time left in the semester, I hope to finish with good academic standing and pride in all of my achievements.
Week 14
This week I worked a campus tour and a welcome desk shift. A huge priority for me this week and next, will be to focus on my academics. I have been facing adversities with finishing the semester with the same motivation that I started with. I have been implementing a balance of self-care days and professional work days so that I may remain passionate about the school year. As the semester ends, I am bidding ado to my friends that will move away. I am sad that I have to move on from this year where I've had extreme personal growth. However, I am ready to move forward with a fresh slate and start my journey on the Clifton campus.
Week 15
This week is the last week of the semester and I am, academically, so relieved. I took on 18 credit hours this semester, something that got the best of me at points. I have struggled, cried, rejoiced, but most importantly I have grown as a learner. I have learned life lessons that I will never forget. Furthermore, the ambassadorship has changed who I am as a leader. I am more self-confident in public speaking, communication, responsibility, and punctuality than I was before the experience. I have also worked with the most amazing group of ambassadors and supervisors. I am truly grateful for the various opportunities I have been given to get involved at UC Blue Ash. I am so proud of all of the ambassadors and wish y'all luck in your future endeavors. I have truly built long-lasting friendships and I will forever be appreciative that I had the chance to work with such an awesome group of people. Talk soon everyone, Olivia :)
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