Have you ever loved something so much that you want to constantly spread the good news to everyone who asks? That’s the job description of our Honors Student Ambassadors! While they were formerly known as Student Assistants and could often be seen behind the front desk, with the changes in the Honors College, they’re now known as Student Ambassadors and have a much more fun and engaging job: sitting down with prospective students to talk about the joys, experiences, and opportunities in the Honors College!
Student Ambassadors are well-versed in everything Honors and often are referred to as Honors Experts because of their vast knowledge of everything from curriculum to housing to benefits and opportunities. The schedule of Honors Inquiries is different from day to day and even week to week, so these ambassadors can make their work schedule around their classes and other obligations, and if they do not have any scheduled inquiries, they can work on their homework! The life of an Honors Student Ambassador is great because it allows them to discuss their personal experience in Honors while meeting with high schoolers who may be about to take their first of many steps into the Honors House!
Prospective Student Inquiries
But what do these Honors Inquiry appointments look like? For these student employees, the main emphasis is on the community and engagement aspect that is unique to the Honors College! While students come from all majors and programs across campus, the unifying idea is that Honors is where we can bond over our thirst for knowledge and insatiable curiosity.
As well as this, the way that Honors classes are set up is unique, having students lead discussions rather than enduring endless boring slideshow presentations. Student Ambassadors take this time to share their personal class experiences, often talking about how these classes favor research papers and creative projects over exams, and how the curriculum is set up to substitute for University Core Curriculum (UCC) gen-ed classes. By emphasizing the benefits of the Honors College curriculum and learning style, Honors Student Ambassadors can give prospective students a full grasp of how great it is to be in Honors.
Who Are They?
It’s time to learn about the names and faces of the Honors College! There are currently four Honors Student Ambassadors, and they vary across all years and majors! Let’s get to know them (in alphabetical order)!
Michaela Ayeh
Michaela Ohene Ayeh (she/her) is a member of the Class of 2026 at Ball State, majoring in Sociology. Hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, Michaela is also a Whitinger Scholar for the Honors College! Michaela is involved in a number of extracurriculars, including being the President of Feminists for Action, an Honors Organization for Promoting Equity (HOPE) Equity Fellow, and an ACLU Volunteer. After graduation, Michaela plans to become a Sociologist to study race, ethnicity, gender, and disability. Michaela is a dedicated member of the Honors College and goes above and beyond in everything she does!
Grace Carman
Grace Carman (she/her) is a senior graduating in Spring 2024, with a double major in Advertising and Public Relations, with a concentration in Event Planning and a minor in Theatre. She is originally from a small town called Versailles, Ohio, but now participates in many Ball State extracurriculars. This includes being the President of the CCIM Dean’s Collegian Advisory Council, Vice President of the Honors Association for Community Engagement (HACE), Vice President of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), VP of Recruitment for Ball State Panhellenic, an Executive Board Member of Alpha Psi Omega theatre/dance fraternity. She is also a member of Kappa Delta sorority, Operation BlackOut dance club, Order of Omega and Phi Kappa Phi honors societies, HerCampus magazine, and more. After graduating this upcoming spring, Grace plans to work at a public relations agency specializing in media relations. Fun Fact: I’m the one writing this! Hi! I also work for the Honors College running our blog, social media pages, and more!
Leah Kahana
Leah Kahana (she/her) is a double major in History and Education and is graduating in the Spring of 2024! This fall semester will be Leah’s last as an Honors Student Ambassador, as she will be embarking on her student teaching path for Spring 2024! Leah is involved in various campus activities including Kappa Delta sorority and Operation BlackOut dance club, of which she has also served as President. After finishing her student teaching, Leah will be looking forward to teaching history in a school in the suburban areas surrounding Indianapolis! We will miss Leah as she takes the next semester to teach, but we are so grateful for her time working with prospective students to teach them about the Honors College!
Nicole Tate
Nicole Tate (she/they) is a member of the Ball State Class of 2025, majoring in Theatre Education with minors in Spanish and Technical Theatre. Outside of studying and working as an Honors Ambassador, Nicole stays busy as the Vice President of the Operation BlackOut dance club, and an Executive Board Member of the Theatre Education Club. Alongside being an ambassador, Nicole is also the Lead Peer Mentor for the Honors College. Nicole’s future goals are to direct and teach high school theatre, as well as spend time teaching abroad. This goal is perfect for Nicole, who just finished directing the amazing production Mean Girls Jr. at Burris this past weekend to rave reviews!
Want to Become an Honors Student Ambassador?
Interested in getting paid to talk about the Honors College and your amazing Honors experience? Then look no further because we’re hiring! If you’re interested in learning more or applying to this position, please email honors@bsu.edu!