Lighting the Way

Lighting the way for future Golden Grizzlies, Oakland University’s alumni ambassadors connect with prospective students and provide valuable insight to the educational offerings and advantages of selecting OU as their university of choice.

A joint venture between Alumni Engagement and Undergraduate Admissions, the Alumni Admissions Ambassador Program (AAAP) consists of OU graduates who graciously share their time and expertise to help recruit new students to their beloved alma mater. In addition to members from the business and professional community, OU’s AAAP draws many of its ambassadors from OU faculty and staff, who attended and now work for the university and enthusiastically share their OU pride and spirit.

Valuable connections are made through campus tours, high school and community college visits, informational fairs and a multitude of special events throughout the year.

Admission advisors have a broad knowledge of OU’s history, available undergraduate and graduate courses, costs and available aid – and are available to answer questions about the application process. With approximately 50 members spread throughout the state, nation and touching into foreign countries, they connect with prospective students and their families almost every day of the year.

Kay Jones, OU senior recruitment advisor and college access coordinator, says the ambassadors make a significant contribution to attracting new students to OU and she is grateful for their unwavering support.

“OU is all about inclusion and building community, and our ambassadors do an excellent job furthering the mission of our founder Matilda Dodge Wilson,” says Jones, who earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from OU and is now a Ph.D. candidate.

She cites a recent example of a prospective first generation university student who was unsure of her capability to be successful in OU’s nursing program. OU’s ambassador program matched the student with a professional nurse, who was able to relay first-hand experiences and give the student an in-depth look at the program. The student is now on her way to successfully completing her nursing degree and realizing her life-long dream of administering medical care to others.

Ambassadors who give back to the university through AAAP say the program has also enriched their lives.

“The AAAP program is an essential part of the alumni association. It is the main connection to the current OU students and the alumni. It has allowed me to connect with Pioneers and Grizzlies, whom I would not have had the opportunity to meet, said Terry Dibble, a special instructor and the coordinator of internships for OU’s exercise science program.

“I joined the AAAP to give back to OU. The university has enhanced my life in so many ways and I want others to see what is possible. My hope is that I reach out to as many OU alumni and current students as possible and encourage them to be a part of the AAAP,” added Dibble, who earned both his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from OU.

If you are an OU alum and would like to get involved contact: AAAP.