About 30 Iowa State students went back to high school during the Thanksgiving and winter breaks, but this time they were doing the teaching.

Last fall, the students were selected from a group of applicants to become student ambassadors for the ISU College of Agriculture. The students travel across the state and inform high school students about ISU and the college.

Mark Hanna, ISU Extension agricultural engineer and an ambassador program adviser, said the committee searches for students who are involved in the College of Agriculture and other activities on campus.

Jenni Puls, an ambassador and student coordinator for the program, and Hanna both said the ambassador program is beneficial to the ISU students as well as the high school students. They said it is a great opportunity for the ambassadors to develop leadership and communication skills and some sales technique skills.

Puls said during her visits, the high school students seemed relaxed around her. She said she believes they benefited from talking with a peer.

“It’s a great opportunity for high school students to speak with someone they are more comfortable with and on their level, rather than a recruiter,” Puls said.

The ambassadors also distribute brochures and catalogs to the students and show a promotional video.

Puls said most students asked her about general college life as well.

Hanna, who has been a part of the program for three years, said officials from the College of Agriculture also feel the program is beneficial for the college.

Although it would be difficult to know how many students decide to attend Iowa State because of the ambassadors, it is good to know that “they are made aware” of what ISU can offer, he said.

“Our mission is really an awareness of the career possibilities and educational opportunities here and they can decide for themselves,” he said.

The ambassadors choose one to three high schools or community colleges to visit. Many students chose to return to their own high schools.

Ambassadors are selected by Hanna and Karen Bolluyt, director of college relations for the College of Agriculture. After the ambassadors are selected, they attend a training session directed by Hanna and student coordinators.

During the training session, ambassadors learn about ISU entrance requirements, financial aid information, agricultural clubs and the majors within the college.

Ambassadors also go through a mock question and answer session to prepare them for the students’ questions. Hanna and the student coordinators notify the chosen schools and then each individual ambassador makes his or her own arrangements for visit times.

Hanna said they look for “students who are willing to go out and talk about opportunities for education in the Ag College at ISU.”

Puls said, “It’s a wonderful program and we hope to get more ag students involved in the future.”

Any student in the College of Agriculture can apply to be an ambassador. Hanna said if students are interested in being ambassadors during the 1997-98 school year, they should talk to their advisers.