Newest class of CAES Ambassadors hits the ground running

Carlton Fletcher, The Albany Herald, Ga.
·5 min read

Sep. 16—ATHENS — Pope Arline, a fourth-year student from St. Simons Island, sits at a long conference table inside Conner Hall as his fellow College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Ambassadors file in for their weekly Tuesday meeting. As the rest of the 32-student team catches up on the week and finds their seats, Arline explains what he loves about being a student at University of Georgia.

"There's such a sense of community here — I've always felt that my professors really care about my success not only in their classes, but in thinking about life after college," he said. "In a college like CAES, you're able to make connections with your professors, advisors and classmates you might not be able to in a larger college on campus.

"I'm from a small town and UGA can be a pretty overwhelming place, but I found my home in CAES. I couldn't think of a better way to give back to the place that I call home than being a representative of CAES as an ambassador."

Founded in 1989, the CAES Ambassador program is UGA's oldest student ambassador group and focuses on student recruitment, student engagement and community outreach. Students with a major in CAES and at least two semesters of study in the college are eligible to apply and participate in the interview process, all with the goal of being selected to wear the program's signature red blazer. These students are experts on all things CAES — for prospective students from across the state and nation, ambassadors offer a glimpse into student life in Athens and Tifton, along with the variety of hands-on learning opportunities available in agricultural and environmental sciences.

"Giving prospective student tours is one of my favorite parts of serving as an ambassador," Anna Cook, a fourth-year student from Fitzgerald, said. "For me, it's exciting to show students what I love about being a student not only at UGA but also within CAES."

Pam Cummins, director of student recruitment for CAES, leads students throughout their year of service, providing guidance and organizing professional development opportunities for the group. Though these students come from a variety of backgrounds and have unique career goals, it's their passion for CAES that brings them together, she said.

"All of our ambassadors have a great deal of pride in being CAES students and are passionate about helping other students and community members learn more about the work we are doing here," Cummins said. "They're able not only to work alongside prospective students, but also to increase their own confidence in public speaking, network with UGA leaders and develop deep relationships with their fellow ambassadors."

For Hampton Watkins, being a CAES Ambassador allows him to bring together two of his passions: science and connecting with others. A third-year student from Rome studying animal science, Watkins begins his first year of service as a CAES ambassador this fall.

"I've always loved opportunities to talk with people who are different from me, have different career goals," he said. "For me, being an ambassador allows me to bring together my passion for science and connecting with others — CAES has given me a great opportunity to be a part of the exciting things going on here."

Excitement was high among the group as they began classes on the Athens and Tifton campuses, knowing that they're not only furthering their own education in agricultural and environmental sciences, but also supporting the next generation of CAES students through meaningful outreach.

The 2022-23 CAES Ambassadors are:

Athens campus

Arline, fourth year, agribusiness and risk management and insurance, St. Simons Island

Megan Cherry, fourth year, agricultural communication, Chatsworth

Ariana Cohen, third year, biological science, Cumming

Aynslee Conner, fourth year, applied biotechnology and entomology, Madison

Cook, fourth year, biological science, Fitzgerald

Grant Cook, fourth year, biological science and Entomology, McRae

Molly Cooney, third year, agricultural communication, Grimes, Iowa

Jada Daniel, fourth year, biological science, Danville

Chloe Dela Cerna, fourth year, agriscience and environmental systems and agricultural and applied economics, Tifton

Ashley Dombrowski, master's student, entomology, Newnan

Maya Dubos, fourth year, hospitality and food industry management, Acworth

Benji Easter, fourth year, agricultural communication, Peachtree City

Kate Fouts, fourth year, animal science, Hoschton

Brenna Gassman, fourth year, animal science and biological science, Evans

Reilly Grady, second year, agribusiness, Dalton

Kaitlyn Hart, fourth year, hospitality and food industry management, Moultrie

Anna Hightower, fourth year, agribusiness Macon

Paul Kellam, third year, biological science, Dublin

Bella Kerbers, fourth year, agricultural communication, Katy, Texas

Justin Loedding, fourth year, agribusiness and agricultural and applied economics, Dawsonville

Haley McMillan, fourth year, environmental resource science, Dacula

Hank Murray, fourth year, agribusiness and agricultural and applied economics, Folkston

Spen Oliver, fourth year, agriscience and environmental systems, Pine Mountain

Taylor Pearson, fourth year, applied biotechnology and entomology, Reidsville

Olivia Phillips, fourth year, agribusiness and agricultural and applied economics, Fitzgerald

Brooke Raniere, fourth year, environmental economics and management, Peachtree City

Grayson Swindell, second year, agribusiness, Manassas

Audrey Thacker, fourth year, agribusiness and agricultural and applied economics, Malibu, Calif.

Douglas Vines, fourth year, applied biotechnology, Marietta

Hampton Watkins, third year, animal science, Rome

Tyler Westbrook, fourth year, agribusiness, Jasper

Will Woodard, fourth year, agribusiness, Madison

Tifton campus

Bailey Rayfield, fourth year, agriscience and environmental systems, Adel

Kylie Whitworth, fourth year, agricultural education, Royston

Kristen Edwards, fourth year, agricultural education, Pelham

Miller Hayes, fourth year, agriscience and environmental systems, Brinson

Lindsey Herrin, third year, agribusiness, Adel

Applications to become a 2023-24 CAES Ambassador open Nov. 20. To learn more about the ambassador program, visit caes.uga.edu/students.