In an effort to combat steadily falling enrollment a handful of college students are training to become paid Ambassadors to local high schools.
MC’s Associated Student’s President Kasey Crispin says the Student Ambassador Program will raise awareness among students about the unsung opportunities of city college.
“We want to inform students who wouldn’t otherwise be aware of community college advantages,” Crispin said. “A lot of people don’t know that Moorpark College has the highest transfer rate to UC’s out of any California city college.”
With the development of Student Ambassadors, MC will join Ventura and Oxnard colleges in having its own version of an outreach program. MC Student Ambassadors began training on Sept. 23, and made their first high school visit on Oct. 6 to Santa Susana High School. The Ambassadors earn $7.25 per hour as they set up information booths on campuses during lunch in identifying shirts and answer students’ questions about Moorpark College.
One of the first to join Student Ambassadors, Tanya Pulley, 19, is excited about the opportunity to reach high school students.
“I really like the idea of promoting higher education and awareness,” she enthused. “When I came to Moorpark I was confused about the process of obtaining an A.A. (degree). I think it’s a great opportunity to inform high school students on issues I was confused about.”
While MC is stepping up its outreach program, Ventura and Oxnard Colleges continue to recruit students with their own programs. VC has a Matriculation Program, in which counselors visit schools, offer assessment tests and applications, and help students with enrollment. OC has the Pre-Admission Student Services (PASS) Program, in which students are trained as “hosts” to new or potential students, offering campus tours and aiding in the enrollment process.
Anthony Urban, a member of OC’s PASS program, believes that many new students need guidance and direction.
“When I started college I didn’t know what I was doing,” he admitted. “This program helps students with all their educational goals. It’s more personal. You can have a peer come straight to the house, which makes (new students) feel more comfortable.”
What finally allowed MC’s Student Ambassador Program to materialize after three years of development was total campus support. Associated Students jump-started the Program by doing all the advertising, interviewing and hiring students, and co-funding the Program, covering the costs of gifts, shirts, etc. It is hoped that the student-to-student connection will effectively reach high school students, who comprise about 50% of MC’s enrollment. The Student Ambassadors will visit schools during enrollment months, and continue monthly training sessions that are more topic-specific to better meet student’s needs.
Krispin says Student Ambassadors will serve not only the students, but the college as well.
“Student Ambassadors is a wonderful way to learn about what Moorpark College has to offer,” she said. “And it’s a great way to contribute to a college that has contributed so much to us.”
To apply for MC’s Student Ambassador Program, contact Pam Kennedy-Luna at (805) 378-1400 ext. 1435. For OC’s PASS Program, contact Kathy Garnica at (805) 378-1508.
To apply for MC’s Student Ambassador Program, contact Pam Kennedy-Luna at (805) 378-1400 ext. 1435.
For OC’s PASS Program, contact Kathy Garnica at (805) 378-1508.
