Eleven Honors College students lead as App State Ambassadors
By: Isabella Lebron
Eleven Honors College students serve as Appalachian Student Ambassadors, applying leadership, collaboration and service. Honors College students who serve as Ambassadors engage in meaningful, real-world experiences that extend beyond the classroom through their work with prospective students, campus partners, and each other.
Appalachian State’s Honors College supports almost 600 students from diverse majors in their holistic development, encouraging engagement beyond themselves, across disciplinary boundaries and in collaboration with others. For ambassadors who are also part of the Honors College, these principles are not abstract ideas, but practices that shape how they communicate, lead, and represent the university.
Students say one of the most impactful aspects of their work as Ambassadors is the opportunity to interact with prospective students and their families. Jackson White, a public relations major who joined the Honors College in spring 2025 semester and plans to graduate in May of 2028, said working admissions events has strengthened his passion for connecting with others while contributing to something larger than himself. White stated, “Some of my favorite times as an ambassador include working admissions events. I love interacting with prospective students and answering any questions that they may have.” He further noted that these experiences have helped him better understand the impact he can have through service and communication.
Ambassadors also note collaboration as a key theme of their work especially within ambassador committees and across diverse teams. Natalie Rodrigues Correia—an actuarial science major and Fall 2025 Chancellors Scholar with an intended graduation of Spring 2029—said exposure to different perspectives has strengthened her ability to think critically and creatively in group settings. She also emphasized that different viewpoints lead to stronger outcomes, and stated,
The best collaboration occurs as a result of diverse perspectives.
Mary Edwards, who joined the Honors College in Fall 2022 and is majoring in sustainable technology with an intended graduation of Spring 2026, echoed the importance of collaboration, explaining that it requires openness and intentional dialogue. She stated, “Collaboration is not about consensus for the sake of ease. It is about creating space for different perspectives and trusting that working through those differences leads to better outcomes.”
The Honors College ambassadors also emphasized the importance of leading with integrity. Rodrigues Correia explained that leadership is not limited to formal positions but includes everyday actions and decisions. She stated, “Leading with integrity means to be a leader even when I am not wearing ambassador attire,” she said, highlighting the importance of consistency across academic, social and professional spaces.
Another Ambassador, Alexis Robinson, entered the Honors College in the Fall semester 2023 and is majoring in psychology major with plans to graduate in Spring 2027. She added that authenticity plays a critical role in leadership and representation. She explained that her genuine enthusiasm for the University shapes her interactions with prospective students. She stated,
To represent App State honestly and authentically, I have the liberty of just being myself.”
Through their involvement in both the Honors College and service as University Ambassadors, these students develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships and contribute to a campus culture grounded in collaboration, integrity and engagement. Their experiences demonstrate how the Honors College mission extends beyond academics, preparing students to lead thoughtfully and connect with others in impactful ways.
