Ask me about my success story!

Chances are, if you have visited our office in the past few years you might have seen a few students sporting bright green shirts with yellow text which read “Ask me about my success story!” That student is likely a Tribe Ambassador, or a group of students who make up one of the best parts of my job!

Tribe Ambassadors are current W&M students who volunteer to help the Admission Office in any way they can. They generally chat with students before our twice daily information sessions, volunteer at any of our programming events, and provide one-on-one conversations with admitted students at lunches in the spring. Tribe Ambassadors are just like any ole student at the College, with the same homework and social obligations, but they have gone out of their way to make your experience visiting W&M a little more personal and authentic. These students even wake up at 8 AM on Saturday mornings (that is really like 5 AM in the real world) to welcome prospective students to the College during our Saturday programs. That is true dedication.

Watching these Tribe Ambassadors in action is a wonderful break from the daily activities in our office. Standing in our lobby and overhearing the conversations between visitors and the TAs makes one understand how much they truly love the school and their time here at W&M. Their voices heighten with excitement as they talk about their favorite classes or professors. Their eyes light up about the mere mention of traditions on campus or the next opportunity to volunteer abroad.  Although these students come from all different backgrounds, age groups, etc, they all have one important thing in common; a deep connection to the College.  Hearing their stories and watching their interactions with prospective students reminds me of why we do what we do as Admission Deans and how special our school really is!

So, next time you stop by Williamsburg for a quick tour of the campus, make sure to stop the student in the bright green shirt and take the time to listen to his or her success story. It will make his or her day and maybe the next four years of your life!

– Amanda Norris