By: Alicia Jessip

Being a Students Admissions Ambassador at the University of Northern Iowa is an honor to

say the least. Our prestigious organization consists of 50 actively involved students who

proudly present our University in a wide array of functions: tours, panels, lunch bunch, com-

munity outreach, and much more.

Many of our members are extremely involved outside of Students Admissions Ambassadors and

are in other organizations such as sororities and fraternities, UNI student government, BASIC,

Relay For Life, UNI Dance Marathon, ROTC, musical organizations, and numerous other ac-

tivities. SAA does mold our college experience into something more profound.

Being an Ambassador Means...

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Being an Ambassa-

dor Means...

1

Reflecting, Re-

gifting, Re-

energizing: Retreats

2

Big/Little Mentor

Program

2

Panthers of the

Month

3

Our Favorite Parts

of UNI

4

UNI Up Close 5

Recruitment 6

Apple Polishers 6

Community Service

& Organization Out-

reach

7

Senior Spotlight 8

SAA in Pictures 12

P R E P A R E D B Y :

Kayleigh Green

Brady Fritz

Susan Johnson

Catherine AuJong

Alicia Jessip

Jesus Lizarraga

Ian Huntley

John Anderson

Morgan Johnson

Khidir Riduzan

STUDENT ADMISSION AMBASSADORS S P R I N G 2 0 1 2

“Being an ambassador means

more than giving tours. It is the

opportunity to make a difference

in a student's life. After giving a

tour to a prospective student, see-

ing them on campus the next year

is the icing on the cake. Knowing

that you had a part in shaping

their college career is extremely

humbling.” -Jacob Lewis

“More than words can

describe. It is influencing

the lives of others in

their time of transition.

It is about using the

hour tour, or the 45 min-

ute lunch, or the 2 min-

ute conversation to con-

vince a fellow student

that they could love UNI

as much as I do.”-

Sabrina Roll

“What does being an ambassador mean to you?”

“Being an ambassador

means putting my pas-

sion into action. It means

I get to embrace my pan-

ther pride and share it

with everyone and every-

thing I touch. Being an

ambassador is so much

more than wearing purps

and khaks.” -Christine

Schick

Sharing joy and extending

a hand of welcome to

bridge the gap between

visitors and the Univer-

sity. It means, "Hey...come

with me! I want to show

you my home :)" -April

Czarneztki

“The UNI Student Admissions Ambassadors (SAA) serve the University of Northern Iowa

through promotion of the University to prospective students, alumni and friends. SAA members

demonstrate their commitment to the University through the provision of campus tours, student

panels and support for a broad array of special events. Enthusiasm, pride, and extensive knowl-

edge about the University are all hallmarks of the organization." -SAA Mission Statement

P A G E 2

By: Morgan Johnson

Retreats are always a great way to relax, have fun,

eat some food, and get to know the other ambassa-

dors. For the spring semester the SAA executives

put together two fantastic retreats.

The retreat at the beginning of the semester was

held at La Vida. All ambassadors gathered for a

time filled with

food, fun, phi-

lanthropy, and

reflection.

Everyone was

divided up into

teams for the

evening and

team members

were given

matching UNI t-

shirts. To make

room in our closets

for our new Panther

apparel, ambassadors brought a t-shirt or two

to donate.

Activities for the retreat included the highly com-

petitive game of Captain’s Coming, a fun-filled

trivia game of Panther Jeopardy, a personality

test called True Colors, and a reflective activity

called Reach Out and Touch Someone.

The mid-semester retreat took place at the end of

February in Gilchrist Hall. Many ambassadors

showed up for simple, but incredibly enjoyable,

evening filled with pizza and games. Fun was

had by all during games like “Honey, I Love You

but I Just Can’t Smile” and “Chicken on a Hill.”

Big/Little Mentor Program

Reflecting, Re-gifting, Re-energizing: Retreats

By: Catherine AuJong

The Membership committee of Student Admission Ambassadors host a program

called Big Purple/Little Purple. This 2-year old program has been established

to make the new members feel comfortable and welcomed into the group. Theresa Luensmann, Vice President of Membership, cre-

ates challenges every two weeks for the “Panther Pals” (Big/Littles) to complete. Expressing her gratitude to be able to hold this

program, Luensmann mentioned, “I loved seeing their friendship develop, and I’m so glad pairings went so well!!”

This semester, the winner of Panther Pals program is Hattie Buikema and Beth Meyers! This pairing of Big/Litle was recog-

nized because Hattie and Beth always spend time every week to meet and have lunch together, hang out, or grab some coffee. Bi-

weekly winners were also awarded for their special or unique “Big/Little Date”. Whether they discovered a new village in Cedar

Falls, grabbed a cup of coffee at Cup o’ Joe, baked cookies, or tried on dresses, they created inseparable bonds and friendships.

“Panther Pals” Bi-Weekly Winners:

Kayleigh Green & Susan Johnson

Erica Scullin & Ramya Varadaraju

Caitlyn Althoff & April Czarnetski

Jesus Lizarraga & Jakob Elmquist

Sara Andino & Beth Carver

Sara Rockow & Bridget Nulty

Panthers of the Month

P A G E 3

By: Megan Kammarmeyer

SAA consists of 50 outstanding individuals who aim to serve and be a good representative of UNI. How-

ever, there are some within us who have gone above and beyond even higher than these extraordi-

nary people. To recognize them, we award the Panther of the Month to these amazing individuals:

Jakob Elmquist: December

I would like nominate Jakob Elm-

quist for Panther of the Month.

Jakob worked so hard to set up all

of the details for our group's new

member community service project.

He came up with ideas, sent out

emails, and set up an awesome

morning for us at the Cedar Bend Humane Society!

Erin Maltby: January

POM to this panther. I often find

myself wondering how can such a

caring, intelligent, spunky, wise,

and devoted person fit into such a

cute little package. With a daily

schedule packed beyond belief,

and an intense devotion to her

craft, student organizations, fam-

ily, and friends I'm truly honored

to spend time with her and be her

little purple. When the going gets

tough, this panther says, "bring it on world!". Some

how this panther manages to amaze me every week

with her insane time management, mad trumpet

skills, and genuinely kind personality.

April Czarnetski: February POM to April C, she had a

very successful week with

Student Affairs interviews

and is always so upbeat and

positive. April is really a

genuine person who is always

staying true to herself, which

is a hilarious, kind hearted,

humble, hardworking woman.

You are going to do incredible

no matter what school you

choose, you are going to impact a lot of college

students lives!

Tori Heisterkamp: March

I would like to nominate

Tori Heisterkamp for Pan-

ther of the Month! Need

someone to make you laugh?

Looking to be blown away

by some impressive acting

skills? Or simply need

someone to listen and give

some quality advice? Tori is

your girl. She is goofy but

graceful, classy but crazy,

and overall one of the most inspirational people

I have ever met. I am constantly blown away

by all the activities she is involved with...she

is a rockstar in every single one. Furthermore,

she has a very honest and fair view of the

P A G E 4

By: Ian Huntley

“Why did you choose UNI?” This is a question we ambassadors are often asked when interacting

with prospective students and parents. All of us have our own unique answer that brought us to the

university. Now that we are here, below is some of our favorite aspects of being a UNI panther!

Our Favorite Parts of UNI

“I believe the two best things about UNI are the people and

the activities that students can get involved in! The oppor-

tunities are truly endless here. If you allow yourself to open

up and step out of your comfort zone, you will easily find

your place in the community of UNI by participating in stu-

dent organizations. That's truly the best part-you can find

the things you love, pursue them, and make great friends in

the process!” -Kendra Allen

“For me, the best part about

UNI is the people. I am sur-

rounded by faculty that truly

care about my development

not just as a student but as a

member of the community as

well. UNI also has some of

the best people that you will

ever meet and I have made

many lifelong friends.” -

Christine Schick “The sense of belonging and community

that exists on campus. It doesn't take long

for people to really feel at home and wel-

comed into the Panther family.”-Kyle

Burns

“The fact that I can walk to class feeling

as if I know everyone on campus, yet still

meeting different people with different

thoughts and ideas daily.” -Alicia Jessip

“I would say the people. It’s the

friendliest group I have met so

far. They made a foreigner feel

welcome.”- Khidir Mohd Salleh

P A G E 5

A Sneak Peek into your Future:

UNI Up Close Visits

By: Brady Fritz

Choosing a college is a big decision. Students may visit many colleges and use many

resources to aid in this decision. To help them, the University of Northern Iowa and

UNI Student Admissions Ambassadors offer high school seniors and their guests

“UNI Up Close days.”

Up Close is a one-day visit for admitted students to bridge the gap

between being admitted to UNI and summer orientation. It gives

students a sneak peek of what their future is going to look like at

the University of Northern Iowa, including sample classes, student

panel discussions, residence hall, facility and campus tours, and

much more interaction with UNI faculty and students.

Other schools may have preview days or big visit days but nothing

like UNI Up Close. This is a one of a kind experience for admit-

ted students that are strongly considering UNI. The end goal of Up

Close is to see how many of the students that attend, enroll in classes in the fall. This produces

the yield rate. Which the average yield rate is 90%, since its start in 2007.

Jenny Connolly an SAA advisor and admissions counselor organizes Up Close and utilizes the

help of every member of SAA along the way. This program wouldn’t be possible without the help of

ALL 50 SAA members. SAA helps with all sections of the day, from check-in, the fair, welcome

session, workshops, escorts, lunch, campus and residence hall tours. SAA looks forward to both

UNI Up Close days each year because they are days filled with many opportunities to show

the love and compassion that all 50 members have for UNI.

Approximately

800 students

flooded UNI to

gain a sneak

peek of Panther

Life.

P A G E 6

Recruitment By: Jesus Lizarraga

This year’s recruitment initiative began with an innovative flier created by the

VP of Public Relations, Brady Fritz, and Public Relations member, Ian Huntley.

Membership Selection Chair, Andrew Sorge, then assigned the ambassadors to

different locations around campus for two weeks prior to the application due

date in order to effectively and efficiently spread the word about the benefits of

being in SAA, inform about the application deadline date and process, and an-

swer any questions that any prospective member may have had.

Due to the hard work and enthusiasm of all the members, we received close

to 100 applications! Only 21 spots were open to be filled.

Lastly, a new promotional video was made in order to continue informing

prospective members, UNI students, and parents on what being in SAA truly

entails.

Watch this new video by following link below! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hLiDnas8m8

Apple Polishers By: Susan Johnson

This February, the Student Admissions Ambassa-

dors hosted their annual Apple Polisher ceremony

to honor UNI faculty and staff who have helped shape

the ambassadors experiences at UNI. The ambas-

sadors described to the group the impact their Ap-

ple Polisher has made on their UNI career, the Ap-

ple Polishers (faculty and staff) were then each

given a trophy by the ambassador who invited

them. The Apple Polishers varied from the presi-

dent of the University, to professors, to mem-

bers of the custodial staff.

At the national CASE ASAP conference this summer,

Apple Polishers will be competing against 17 other

competitors from 6 different districts for the national

recognition of Best External Program. Regard-

less of winning the title, SAA should be proud of this

program because It is important to honor these influ-

ential members of our UNI community because, as

SAA advisor Paul Sapp said in his opening remarks

for the ceremony, “Part of becoming a good leader is

learning to recognize and appreciate the leaders that

you have learned from.”

P A G E 7

Community Service and

Organization Outreach

By: John Anderson

The ambassadors participated in numerous service

opportunities this year, including helping out with

the Hansen School Carnival in the fall, making

blankets during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of

Service, working on a house with Habitat for Hu-

manity, cleaning their adopted highway, spreading

joy during Random Acts of Kindness Week, volun-

teering to help with the Special Olympics, and pre-

paring and serving a meal at the Catholic Worker

House.

“I think the value of any service activity is urging

students to become invested in their community

and see how this connection can be made through

service,” Megan Kammarmeyer, VP of Community

Outreach said.

Ambassadors worked on a house with the organiza-

tion Habitat for Humanity twice in February.

While some ambassadors painted doors or mudded

corners in the house, Sabrina Roll put her painting

skills to use as she worked on trim that would be

going around the house after the carpet was put in

place.

Roll thought it was a great opportunity to impact a

stranger’s life.

“I valued the fact of knowing that we were playing

a small part to make a big difference in someone's

life,” she said. “We don't know the people who were

going to be moving in to that house yet I was sur-

rounded by a group of people who were so excited to

be there to play a small part and help out in the

process.”

SAA is also

committed

to volun-

teering with

other stu-

dent organi-

zations.

They have

had teams

and partici-

pated in

Dance

Marathon and Relay For Life of UNI. SAA

S Relay team was even a finalist in the March Mad-

ness fundraising competition!

P A G E 8

Senior Spotlight 1. What is your favorite SAA memory?

2. What are your plans after graduation?

Abbey Doering 1. Performing our pride cry the night of homecoming. I had so much fun working with everyone

practicing and coming up with dance moves. During those weeks leading up to pride cry I got

to know many of the SAA members on a deeper level.

2. This summer I will be going back home to complete my coaching authorization, rogue corn,

and spend time with my family. Then in the fall I will be completing my student teaching in the

Des Moines area. After the fall semester I will be looking for teaching jobs or substitute posi-

tions wherever the wind takes me.

April Czarnetzki 1. My favorite SAA memory is the people. I loved being able to have this instant bond with eve-

ryone simply over our love for our school. The warmth and joy shared between us really exempli-

fies why we all chose to come here and why we are so eager to share our experience with pro-

spective students and the community.

2. After graduation I will be attending the University of Kansas for graduate study in Higher

Education Administration with my assistantship in their Student Housing Department! But

don't worry......I will ALWAYS be a PANTHER!!

Beth Carver 1. If I absolutely had to pick one, I would choose SAA formal. I love seeing everyone dressed up

because everyone looks so fancy! Of course, I wouldn't have any of these memories if it weren't

for the awesome people I've met!

2. After I walk in May, I will be student teaching in Des Moines. I will then come back to UNI

in the spring semester to be a graduate assistant and get my masters in Early Childhood Spe-

cial Education.

Brady Fritz The exec trip down to Nashville, Tennessee this past summer where we presented at the CASE

ASAP conference. When we weren't busy with the conference the group of us were able to ex-

plore the city of Nashville and enjoy our time in country music capital of the world.

I will be back at UNI working towards my Masters in Post-Secondary Education, Student Af-

fairs, with a graduate assistantship in the Athletic Compliance office.

Caitlyn Althoff: 1. It’s a toss up between two events: highway cleanup my junior year, or our end of the year

gathering on Cinco de Mayo last year. Either way, both were shared with incredible friends I

will cherish for a lifetime.

2. SAA has opened doors I never knew existed, so I plan on working in Higher Education and

strive to be half as influential as our advisors have been to me.

P A G E 9

<Insert Deb Article>

By: Susan Johnson

Elizabeth Madsen 1. All of my lunch bunches and tours with my favorite SAA sibling, Tommy.

2. I will be attending graduate school for geology at the University of South Carolina.

Jakob Elmquist 1. The meetings because I feel as though we all got to know one another very well. The feeling

of a family was always prevalent whenever I entered the room. I know I will miss them dearly.

2. My plans after my "fake" graduation in May is to student teach in Dubai in the fall. I will

then return and try and find a job teaching anywhere. I am just excited to get into the teaching

field.

Janie Stevenson 1. My favorite memories would be all of the times I had with my little purples. We built such a

strong friendship over this year, and I will never forget all the times we had.

2. After graduation I plan to attend graduate school at the University of Northern Iowa to re-

ceive my masters in Speech-Language Pathology

John Anderson 1. Probably my first meeting because it was incredible to see how passionate this group was about

this campus and how much they cared for each other. I knew right away that this was an organi-

zation I really wanted to serve on and that I had made the right choice in becoming a part of it.

2. I will be serving on staff with the Navigators, an international Christian campus ministry or-

ganization, doing ministry at the University of Nebraska Kearney. After a few years of ministry

with the Navigators, I plan to go to seminary and serve God as a pastor.

Kendra Allen 1. Well...because of all the amazingly fun things we do as an organization, picking JUST one

would be too hard to do. Some of my favorites include formal, road side clean up, Hansen Carni-

val, and the semester retreats!

2. As of now, my plans are very much up in the air. I may be going to graduate school or serving

for a year as a young adult volunteer doing mission work. I'm really open to anything & I believe

the right thing will come along.

Senior Spotlight cont’ We will miss every one of them!

P A G E 1 0

Khidir Mohd Salleh 1. The time when the SAA sang Happy Birthday to me one time during last year's meeting.

It made me felt loved and cherished by the members. It made me happy to in such a wonder-

ful and thoughtful group.

2. I am in the process waiting for replies for a number of summer internship opportunities.

Some of the locations of the internships include Georgia, North Carolina, Chicago, Wisconsin

and even Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Mariah Lockie 1. My favorite SAA memory is all of the fun activities that take place during homecoming

week! Every homecoming I am reminded of all of the wonderful people, the pride and the

passion that individuals within SAA have for this University!

2. Graduate in May, get married in June, honeymoon the whole month of July (I WISH),

and eventually move to St. Louis. While my husband attends the seminary, I hope to support

him financially by landing a job within some sort of Student Affair’s position. Even though I

will miss this place and all of the wonderful people very much, I look forward to starting a

new life with my husband-to-be!

Megan Kammarmeyer 1. Other than the long awaited Tuesday night meetings, wonderful advisers, bubbly tours,

endless hours spent with new found friends, dance moves at formal, trash-pickin' up, pride

cry roar, I would say my favorite memory involves all of the hugs, hugs, and more hugs re-

ceived, given, and loved.

2. I'll be driving the 1,831 miles to my new home in Seattle, Washington for an internship

this summer.

Patrick Luensmann 1. My favorite SAA memory is the fall and spring retreats where we all became much closer

friends!

2. I plan to stay in Cedar Falls and work as a Business consultant and market research spe-

cial at the Regional Business Center.

Sabrina Roll 1. The first one that comes to mind is the very first meeting I attended as a brand new mem-

ber. I sat through the then-senior "goodbye" speeches and was crying even though I didn't

know half the people graduating. I immediately saw how much of an impact this group had

on those people, how much they were touched by what SAA had done for them.

2. I plan to have a year of exploration and figure out what I want to go to school for next!!

Luckily, I get to do that from the comfort of Cedar Falls!

Senior Spotlight cont’ We will miss every one of them!

P A G E 1 1

<Insert Deb Article>

By: Susan Johnson

Sara Andino 1. Homecoming this year because I loved being a part of Pride Cry and making it to the fi-

nals. Getting to perform with everyone in front of that crowd was such a rush!

2. I plan on living in Cedar Falls and taking a year break after 18 years of school. During

that time though, I'll be prepping for graduate school. Exciting stuff!

Tori Heisterkamp 1. All of the semester retreats with everyone having such crazy schedules it was so nice to

have that quality time just getting to know all of our members in a setting where we could be

goofy and relax with one another. The combination of tears and giggles was one I will always

cherish and remember.

2. To attend graduate school as a panther (Go UNI!), working towards a master’s degree in

Speech-Language Pathology.

Senior Spotlight cont’ We will miss every one of them!

Senior Pictures!

Primary Business Address

Address Line 2

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Phone: 555-555-5555

Fax: 555-555-5555

E-mail: someone@example.com

Prepared By:

Inside Story Headline

Business Tagline or Motto

Organization

We’re on the Web!

example.com

Spring 2012: In Pictures STUDENT ADMISSION AMBASSADORS

“Like” us on Facebook: Student Admission Ambassadors

Follow us on Twitter: UNI_SAA

Interested in going on a tour? Call: 319-273-2343

Interested in speaking to SAA with information regarding your building or

program? Email: paul.sapp@uni.edu