ESU Ambassador named Outstanding Student Leader

By Dirk McBratney, Graduate Assistant

The Emporia State University Ambassadors have earned yet another national award. Former ESU Ambassador Jessica Velazquez was named the 2008 Outstanding Student Leader by the Association of Student Advancement Programs (ASAP) at the organization’s national conference, July 31 – Aug. 2.

Velazquez, now an ESU alumna with a bachelor’s degree in communication, is not the first ESU Ambassador to receive this honor. ESU Ambassadors earned the same award in 2005 and repeated the performance in 2006.     

ASAP is a program of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the national organization for university advancement professionals. CASE District VI contains eight states in the Midwest, and Velazquez was also recognized with the district outstanding leader award earlier this year. Winners are chosen on the basis of their history with the organization, as well as commitment, initiative, and loyalty in interaction with the university.

ESU’s Ambassadors embody such qualities, said Michael Hooton, chair of the ESU Ambassadors. “We maintain pretty high standards, not just in comparison to other ESU programs but regionally and nationally as well,” he said, explaining that the Ambassadors organization provides opportunities for leadership roles through committee processes and outside relations.

“We encompass a lot,” Hooton said. “Other universities have three organizations for what our organization does,” with activities ranging from alumni relations to prospective student tours to spirit activities.

Previous ESU Ambassador honors from ASAP include two Outstanding Student Leader awards – John Harms in 2005 and Laura Myers in 2006. The organization itself was named Outstanding Ambassador Organization in 2007. This track record “shows great leadership ability in our students,” said Nicholette Metz, the program’s advisor. “We’re a presence on campus, and leaders are drawn to Ambassadors because it’s a leadership organization on campus.”

Of Velazquez, Hooton said that “she was always one of the most positive people to be around,” despite her heavy workload with the voluntary organization. With Velazquez as Ambassadors Spirit Co-Chair with Becky Lundblom, the E-Zone athletics spirit program “quadrupled” in scope and results. “She definitely had a lot of spirit for ESU, for Ambassadors, and she did a lot to share that,” added Hooton.

Velazquez, a native of Shawnee, Kan. is now working to become a certified personal trainer. About the Ambassadors, she said “being involved was a huge part of my college career that contributed greatly to who I am today.” About earning the award, Velazquez said she was honored, but added that the real reward came during her work with Ambassadors.

“Being involved betters your life, and being a leader is a way to help others better theirs. Just seeing that positive change and growth is a huge payoff,” said Velazquez.

Last Updated August 20, 2008>