College of Education and Human Services Ambassador Program

Aleris - Early Childhood Development

Aleris likes to believe that UNF chose her. Before applying for schools, she was offered the opportunity to work for the UNF Preschool, which led her to study at UNF. She is looking forward to making meaningful connections as an ambassador with prospective students and sharing her passion for education.  

Brianna - Elementary Education

Brianna chose UNF because she absolutely loved the natural environment surrounding it and the small class sizes that allowed for greater connections with her professors and peers. As an ambassador, she has loved developing her public-speaking skills, pursuing more leadership opportunities, and providing prospective or current students with a candid point of view as they pursue their college exploration. With this awesome opportunity, Brianna also has loved broadening her connections through Ambassador events and becoming more comfortable as a leader. She looks forward to applying what she has learned as an ambassador in her future career as an elementary teacher.

Colleen - Deaf Education

Colleen chose UNF after going on a tour of the campus. She was visiting from Texas to go to the beach and check out the school. To her surprise, she fell in love. The nature and trees throughout and surrounding the campus are stunning. The Deaf Education program was exactly what she wanted in teaching styles, small size, and opportunities for international travel/study abroad. She was also drawn by the small class sizes, especially in her program, and the convenient location near the beach, Saint Augustine, Georgia, downtown, and closer to Disney world than she had ever even dreamed of living! Her favorite part of being an ambassador is the many connections she has been able to make. She has gotten close with many staff members in addition to many students at the school. It has been so amazing to have relationships with those working in the college and working together to further the school, programs, and college of education. She has also thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many students through the ambassadorship, both fellow ambassadors that have become her dear friends, and students she has met at different events that continue to keep in touch. She is so glad that she chose to follow the opportunity of being an ambassador for our incredible College of Education and Human Services.

Gary - Sport Management

Gary’s favorite part of being an Ambassador is having the opportunity to connect with prospective students and their families and providing them with all types of information about UNF, the COEHS and the Sport Management Program. Whenever he speaks to a prospective student or their family member, his goal is to demonstrate why UNF is the place for them! His favorite event he has worked is the "Training U" seminar at TPC Sawgrass. He enjoyed this event so much because he had the opportunity to inform students who are considering a career in sports, the outstanding opportunities they will have in the Sport Management program at UNF. Gary chose UNF for the nationally ranked Sport Management program (which he is now a graduate of), the personalized education and because Jacksonville is such a sport rich city.

Hayley - English Education

After attending an open house of the College of Education and Human Services, Hayley felt at home. UNF was the perfect fit for her. UNF has her degree program, dedicated professors, smaller class sizes, and a welcoming environment. Hayley’s favorite part of being an Ambassador is to get to welcome new students into our program and community. It’s inspiring being around many future educators. Together, the Ambassadors share their passion for students and strategies to use in their future classrooms. A huge source of joy and impact as an ambassador is helping students find where they belong.

Her favorite events thus far have been the STEP (Solve, Tinker, Explore and Play) Lab visits. As a Secondary English Education major, she never gets to work with elementary age students or STEM related content, but these events allow her to get the best of both worlds. It’s always so fun and sweet seeing the local, visiting students’ faces light up as they build and move their LEGO robots. It has been teaching practice for me to help at the STEP Lab and learn skills outside of my degree, like coding.

She feels strongly that the ambassador program has pushed her out of my comfort zone, helped her build skills for my profession, and got her involved in a community of educators.  Hayley just started her yearlong internship with the Jacksonville Teacher Residency (JTR) program and feels more confident going into JTR because of the mentorship and professional development through the program that has prepared her to teach in the classroom.

Jacob - Sport Management

Jacob chose UNF because he loved UNF for the atmosphere and because of what UNF is surrounded by, whether it’s the St. Johns Town Center or the Beaches as well as being so close to Daytona. He was also looking for a school with small class sizes. His favorite part about being an Ambassador is meeting all the new prospective students and sharing the information and passion he has for UNF with them.

Julia - Deaf Education

Julia chose UNF because it provides smaller classroom sizes which she loves because she can build a closer relationship with her classmates as well as her professors. Additionally, she believes that UNF has the best professors. They will bend over backwards for their students and make sure that when they graduate, they are truly prepared for their career. Her favorite thing about being an ambassador is being able to meet people! She has loved speaking with high school students who are still debating their majors and where to go to college. It allows her to brag about her college and why they should consider joining the College of Education and Human Services.  

Karsyn - Elementary Education

Karsyn chose UNF for many reasons. The campus is amazing and it’s the perfect size, has Chick-Fil-A, and hundreds of clubs. UNF’s faculty and staff are also great. When she visited UNF for the first time, she knew it was the place for her, especially due to the small class sizes. Karsyn’s favorite part of being an ambassador thus far is meeting prospective students and their families. She loves sharing her experience at UNF and hearing them talk about their aspirations for college. While she especially enjoy meeting students within the COEHS, she also loves learning about other colleges at UNF as well.  

Leah - Disability Services

Leah chose UNF because it allows her to pursue a major that connects with her passions; there are smaller class sizes to allow her to get to know her professors and peers at a more personal level, and the nature surrounding campus. She felt at home here and knew this was a place that she could succeed. She is most looking forward to meeting potential future Ospreys, enhancing her leadership skills and creating networks. She is honored to be an Ambassador.

Lydia - Elementary Education

Lydia chose UNF because of the endless opportunities for her to grow. UNF was one of her top schools because of its small class size and its beautiful campus. After meeting faculty and staff and conversing with them about her future, she knew UNF was the place for her. As an Ambassador, she is most looking forward to meeting new people, making new connections, and sharing information that will persuade prospective students to come SWOOP with us.

Mackenzie - Elementary Education

Mackenzie chose UNF because of the small class sizes, the beautiful campus scenery and environment, and the unique opportunities for connections with classmates, professors, faculty, and surrounded communities! Her favorite part of being an ambassador so far is the people she has met. Through the events, card-writing parties, and meetings, she has been able to develop relationships with the faculty of the College of Education, the other ambassadors, and prospective students. She has loved being able to assist prospective students in their college exploration and journey through writing personalized cards upon their acceptance and meeting them at various events, such as Apply in July!

Michael - Sport Management

Michael chose UNF to see how an education in sport management can help fulfill his passion of helping athletes reach their goals. Another factor was that UNF is the #4 ranked Sport Management program which showed that they had great resources and professors. Finally, his older brother graduated from UNF, so he was already familiar with the campus and the student life at the college. What he is looking forward to most as an Ambassador is being able to help future college students in the journey of finding the right major and experience for them. Personally, he looks forward to gaining skills in relationship building and leadership and positively representing the college in our community. 

Moriah - Asl/English Interpreting

Moriah chose UNF because it was the only school that would allow her to pursue her professional goals. UNF is the only public university in Florida to have an accredited ASL/English Interpreting program, which made coming here a no-brainer for her. Moriah’s favorite part about being an ambassador so far is helping to relieve students' stress and concerns. She remembers what it was like to be a lost, confused freshman. She remembers what it was like to constantly have to navigate her program's requirements and class assignments. Being in the position to help students avoid the same feelings and getting feedback from them, they are relieved and more relaxed after meeting and speaking to her is what this program is all about and she loves that she gets to be a part of it! 

Naomi - Special Education

Naomi likes to say that UNF chose her. Before selecting a University to attend, she had many different opportunities presented to her through UNF. She was a part of the different future educators’ program at her high school and through that program, she spent a lot of time at UNF prior to attending. Her favorite part of being an Ambassador is learning more about the College of Education, along with learning more about UNF as a whole. It has been so great getting to meet new and current students at UNF to share my favorite parts about UNF!

Olivia - Sport Management

Olivia chose UNF because the environment is so welcoming, and it made her feel like she was home the minute she stepped on campus. Everyone is so helpful and always looking out for their students, wanting the best for them. The thing she is looking forward to the most as an ambassador is to be able to share her love and knowledge for the college and bring more potential students to our college. She would love to have more hard-working students join the college and show them that there are endless opportunities in our city, school, and especially our college.  

Sydney - Special Education

Sydney chose UNF because when she set foot on campus it felt like home. She could picture herself being a part of everything that the campus had to offer. She also loved the small class sizes because she felt like it allowed her to connect with professors and classmates.  The thing Sydney is looking forward to the most about being an ambassador is being able to share with prospective students about all that UNF has to offer. She is also looking forward to helping students prepare for their GK Exams. 

Toni - Interdisciplinary Studies

Toni’s favorite part of being an Ambassador is connecting with students from all around Florida. Her favorite memories are working on leadership development with elementary students, writing a letter to a prospective student about her experiences, as well as working with students from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (FSDB). Her favorite event was when FSDB came for a school tour. During the event, Toni was able to sign and engage with all the students as well as watch the FSDB student teach our UNF students in ASL I new signs and sign names.