Several alumni joined the Admissions Team this fall as Spartan Ambassadors to help prospective students find their home at Castleton University. These first Spartan Ambassadors starting in September set up their Castleton information laden tables at college fairs in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Armed with brochures, plenty of pens to give away, and inquiry cards to catch the contact information of potential students, the ambassadors used their experience as alumni to explain student life and adventure in the Green Mountain State.
Matthew Fischer, a 2018 graduate of Castleton with a master's degree in Athletic Leadership, currently works as the athletic business manager for University at Albany in New York. He recently attended two college fairs, one at Hudson Valley Community College and the second at Guilderland High School in Guilderland Center, New York. Matt said he had a great experience as an ambassador.
“The most notable thing that stuck out to me was the out-of-state tuition, with the help of the scholarship for bordering neighbors, was a nice surprise to many parents who had not thought of their child going out-of-state for college,” Fisher said. "I also spoke highly about the faculty at Castleton and how much they care about their students and how close knit Castleton really is. I would highly recommend becoming a Spartan Ambassador. It was a very easy way to give back to the University so they can hopefully grow. And you never know what kind of a difference your pitch can have in a high school student’s life.”
Heather Patterson Faass, a 2010 Athletic Training graduate, said being a Spartan Ambassador was worth the extra effort when fitting a visit to East Bristol High School in Connecticut into her busy schedule at the New England Stem Cell Institute, where she works in a physician’s office as a head athletic trainer.
“The room was packed. It was a good experience. I enjoyed talking to the parents and students. Castleton holds a very special place in my heart so it was easy to talk about why it is not only a good University, but that it is a great place to spend four years and meet people who will be your lifelong friends,” Faass said.
Alumni interested in participating in the Spartan Ambassador program should reach out to Admissions Counselor Amanda Ley ’18.