Student ambassadors prepare for Fall Open House

The Fall Open House, Nov. 18, will enlist about 40 ambassadors for tours to recruit high school students to USD.

Ashlin Peitzmeier, the campus coordinator for the office of admissions, said there are typically seven tours each weekday.

Shaniah Koops, the student ambassadors president, said about 220 families and potential students came to Fall Day last year.

Peitzmeier said she expects more students to come this year, making this year’s Fall Open House the biggest tour day to date.

On normal visit days, potential students get a tour of Old Main, I.D. Weeks Library, Muenster University Center, North Complex, the Wellness Center, the DakotaDome and Coyote Village. On these visits the students “go in a big loop,” and see all the different buildings USD has to offer, Koops said.

For the Fall Open House, they’re going to give tours “showcase style” by stationing ambassadors at all these locations and having families go at their own pace, Koops said.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase our school and give those the opportunity to come to USD,” Peitzmeier said.

Shanel Goranowski, vice president of student ambassadors, said executives prepare student ambassadors with bimonthly meetings while advisors plan out the schedules. During the Fall Open House they help set up and check students in, she said.

When the tours begin, student ambassadors’ roles vary, from walking with families to driving the Charlie Cart, Koops said.

The athletic department gave the office of admissions 200 tickets for the rivalry football game between USD and South Dakota State University for the Fall Open House.

Student ambassadors ask for some positive encouragement from current USD students if they see potential students getting a tour.

“Feel free to say hello to them, it always makes them feel welcome,” Peitzmeier said. “Especially in the MUC.”

Goranowski said student ambassadors see how helpful their job actually is.

“It’s my favorite thing I do here,” Goranowski said. “It’s so much fun and you get to meet awesome people. It’s very rewarding to know that you’re filling the school with great, potential new people.”