RRCC Staff Report
Six Rainy River Community College students have been chosen to serve as student ambassadors.
The ambassadors, selected from 18 applicants, include Max Gonzalez, Gabrielle Rooney, Ria Sether, Katrina Marquez, and Ariel Anderson, Deanna Reed and Maggie West.
In its second year, the program was started to encourage students from different backgrounds to have more conversations and form friendships with one another, according to Stephanie Sather, program director.
“Learning about cultures other than your own is an essential part of understanding how others act and think, which is really important in any career that the students will be working in, especially as we live in an increasingly interconnected world,” according to Sather.
Sather reports that the ambassador’s hard work and dedication to the program led to many successful events held in the “Embassy,” a room on the RRCC campus dedicated to the program and it’s events. The room is decorated with pieces from various cultures and features a bulletin board containing information to get students thinking about diversity — what has shaped who they are and an awareness of different believes and practices that other students may have.
One of the highlights of the semester was the presentation on Kenya from an RRCC student who grew up there.
As he spoke candidly of his home country and answered questions from the audience, other Kenyan students jumped in, too. This dialogue between students is one of the primary goals of the ambassador program. Through it, students have the opportunity to tell their stories, be exposed to new beliefs, ideals, and ways of living, and experience cultures different from their own.
In addition to putting on events, the ambassadors also staffed the Embassy at scheduled times each week. During this time, they held study groups, met with other students to talk over coffee, and put up informational boards centered around diversity topics.
“I am so proud of the great work the ambassadors did this year and look forward to seeing how the program grows and shapes the campus community in the future,” said Sather.
Spring 2012 ambassador events held include: ambassador meet and greet; Kenya cultural presentation; AmeriCorps presentation; diversity Easter egg hunt; tea party, featuring teas and desserts from around the world; Kony 2012 presentation and poster hanging; Jewish cultural celebration; fiesta to celebrate the end of the semester.
“Being a student ambassador helped me to grow as a leader, student, and individual. It also taught me how to be an effective leader, listener, and mentor,” said ambassador Katrina Marquez of the program.
Ambassador Ria Sether described her experience as follows, “By breaking down stereotypes, asking questions, and encouraging others to step outside their comfort zone, we helped people see that there was no need to fear people that are different from them. Teaching others to embrace diversity will help people take a more unified approach to tackling issues that plague our society.”
Ambassador Ariel Anderson said, “I always used to find myself worrying about what people were thinking about me; the way I talked, who I liked to hang out with, or what I was wearing. After being an ambassador, I learned that there is nothing wrong with being who you are. You should not be ashamed of where you come from, how you live your life, or what your values are... Diversity is what makes the world so interesting.”
