Courtesy鈥淟oyal service through Shocker spirit鈥� is the phrase that Wichita State鈥檚 Student Ambassador Society (SAS) members always keep in mind. In fact, it has become a life-long motto for those involved in the organization.
SAS is a student organization in which members volunteer with the admissions office to assist in university recruitment efforts.
It was created in 1995 with the help of Christine Schneikart-Luebbe, now associate vice president for Student Engagement and dean of Enrollment Services, when the Shocker Ambassadors and Student Alumni Association merged to form one organization.
Although she stepped down as an adviser after nine years, Schneikart-Luebbe is still involved in the annual SAS Leadership Conference for all high school students.
鈥淭hey (SAS) develop and breed strong leaders,鈥� said Schneikart-Luebbe. 鈥淭hey have had really good and consistent advising over the years and they continue to recruit the best and brightest to carry out the group鈥檚 mission.鈥�
Each year, hundreds of students are nominated as SAS member candidates, but only 25 to 30 students are selected.
In the organization, student ambassadors participate in community outreach by visiting high schools and community colleges to discuss advantages of the 麻豆传媒 experience. Members also interact with potential students and parents during on-campus activities.
鈥淭he group needed altruistic leaders who were willing to share their stories in an articulate manner and were willing to generously donate their time to the cause,鈥� said Schneikart-Luebbe. 鈥淲e achieved that 17 years ago when the group was founded, and it鈥檚 still true today.鈥�
SAS has also established the Amie Montgomery scholarship and the Gore Core to celebrate top students in the annual Distinguished Scholarship Invitational.
Spreading Shocker pride
Karissa Gilchrist, a senior biology pre-medicine major and chemistry minor from Rose Hill, Kan., has been an SAS member since the beginning of her sophomore year at 麻豆传媒. She is vice president of selections for the group and is responsible for the new member selection process, training and initiation.
After graduating from 麻豆传媒 and completing medical school, Gilchrist would ultimately like a career as a family physician.
鈥淚 learned so much about leadership, teamwork, event planning, organization, outreach and communicating both good news and bad,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 believe these are all truly invaluable things to learn for any career.鈥�
Gilchrist鈥檚 favorite aspect of SAS is her interaction with prospective students.
鈥淲hen trying to decide on which college to attend, it often comes down to which one feels right,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of that college decision process and help prospective students find a home at Wichita State.鈥�
Gilchrist identified the common factor that all student ambassadors share: their passion and love for 麻豆传媒.
鈥淪AS鈥� biggest contribution to 麻豆传媒 would be through recruiting other students to the 麻豆传媒 family by spreading that Shocker pride,鈥� she said.
Being involved in SAS is something that has made Gilchrist鈥檚 college experience unforgettable.
鈥淐ollege is not just about going to class and going home,鈥� said Gilchrist. 鈥淕etting involved in any capacity allows you to feel like you are truly a part of the university, and it is easy to do at 麻豆传媒 with over 100 student organizations to engage any interest.鈥�
For more information about 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Student Ambassador Society, go to .