COE Student Ambassadors

The COE Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students who are dedicated to serving and representing the University of Memphis College of Education.

Student Ambassadors provide campus tours and serve as Official UofM College of Education representatives at various campus, college and community events. COE Student Ambassadors also serve within the COE Recruitment and Retention Office (including the front desk) where they act as a first point of contact to visitors, both by phone and in person.

Apply to be a COE Student Ambassador >

Join the COE Student Ambassadors

Represent the College of Education during university events and through social media
Welcome guests, prospective students and their families to the College of Education
Learn and share information about the UofM and the College of Education
Lead group or individual campus tours for prospective students and guests
Work with diverse populations and provide tips on being a successful student
Demonstrate the COE's values and mission as you represent the College
Assist the COE Office of Recruitment and Retention in daily operations and serve in other duties as assigned
Attend required trainings
Complete a minimum of 12 hours of service per semester

As a COE Student Ambassador, you will develop a wide range of leadership and communication skills that will benefit you while you are a UofM student and after graduation. You will gain deeper knowledge about the College of Education and UofM while networking with other students, COE faculty and staff, and our partners. School districts, educational non-profits and graduate degree programs are looking for more than just academic success; they want community involvement and service. Serving as a COE Student Ambassador will help you stand out from the crowd.

Qualifications

COE Student Ambassadors are required to:

Be currently enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Memphis as an undergraduate student
Be currently enrolled in at least 12 credit hours
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
Commit to serving for one academic year commitment. (Fall-Spring)
Demonstrate strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
Exhibit leadership, initiative, dependability and enthusiasm
Commit to the COE's Core Values
- Diversity, Inclusion, Respect, Innovation and Service

COE Student Ambassadors. . .

Are driven by diversity and inclusion
Are committed to excellence
Are positive
Excel at communicating with others
Provide excellent customer service
Are open to learning new things and sharing their knowledge with others
Have Tiger Spirit . . . Go Tigers Go!!

COE faculty and staff are invited to nominate COE undergraduate students for the ambassador program by filling out this form>.

For questions or more information, contact, Keith Hembree, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, at khembree@memphis.edu.

Meet our Current Student Ambassadors

	Anna Armendariz Major: Teaching All Learners Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2025 Hometown: Marion, AR What is your favorite part of being in the College of Education at the UofM? I love the professors who are so inviting and willing to go to the extra mile for my education. The people I have met in the last year in the COE have helped me become a better student and future teacher. I feel at home here. What are your career goals after education? I am aspiring to be a resource teacher or an ESL teacher. I will thrive in any capacity in the special education field. What are you involved in on campus? Many classes and study groups. I am excited to get involved in the COE in more ways! What is a fun fact about you? I am Target obsessed and love to spend my time with my family there.
	Amber Barrera Major: Teaching All Learners Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024 Hometown: Oakland, TN What is your favorite part of being in the College Of Education at the UofM? My favorite part of being in the COE is that I get to be with my professional learning community! My cohort is a great group of people. They make the COE great. The professors are compassionate and understanding. They make the COE fun! What are your career goals after education? After obtaining a bachelor’s degree. I plan on being a classroom teacher with experience. I would like to get a master’s in education. Eventually, I want to get a doctorate degree. I would love to move up and be in administration. What is a fun fact about you? I enjoy cooking and baking in my spare time. I am also a k-pop stan.
	Madison Cook Major: Teaching All Learners Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2025 Hometown: Olive Branch, Mississippi What is your favorite part of being in the College of Education at the UofM? My favorite part of being in the college of education would be the family aspect of the college. We have a lot of support and guidance, which makes me know that I am not alone! What are your career goals after education? I am aspiring to become an elementary school teacher and opening my own daycare. What are you involved in on campus? Peer Power, Weeks of Welcome
	Vanessa Cortez Major: Teaching all learners Anticipated graduation date: Spring 2025 Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee What is your favorite part of attending the College of Education at the University of Memphis? The COE is a close community. From the administration to professors to students, the COE has such great connections, and everyone is supportive and excited to see each other becoming a fantastic teacher. What are your career goals after graduation? After graduation, I plan to teach as a sixth or seventh science teacher at my old middle school, inspiring students to be scientists or other STEM careers. What are you involved in on campus? In addition to being a College of Education ambassador, I am the President of A Seat at the Table and a member of the Hispanic Student Association. What is a fun fact about you? On school breaks, I take every opportunity to visit my family's hometown in Colima, Mexico. The way to my heart is food!
	Nicholas C. Finnie Major: Early Childhood Education Anticipated graduation date: 2025 Hometown: Oakland,TN What’s your favorite part of being in the College of Education at the UofM?: The camaraderie between students, faculty and even potential students is a force that I’ve never witnessed. The COE gives me a strong sense of me belonging to something that is much larger than myself. What are your career goals after graduation?: My goals after graduation are to become an early childhood educator and enroll in a master's program for educational leadership. I plan to become a administrator after gaining classroom experience. What advice would you give to someone just starting in the COE College of Education?: Definitely take advantage of all the opportunities and networking that the COE offers. Step outside of your comfort zone and bring your uniqueness, nerve and talent to the student and faculty body. What are you involved in on campus?: I am involved in River City Partnership & I am a Man… I teach program What is a fun fact about you?: I’ve attended more drag racing events than high school football or basketball games
	LaNerra Gray Major: Teaching All Learners – Special Education Interventionist Anticipated graduation date: Spring 2024 Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee What’s your favorite part of being in the College of Education at the UofM?: The consistency of having classes with the same people. Since my freshman year, I have had classes with the same students, and honestly it’s been the best seeing them and myself grow in our future careers. What are your career goals after graduation?: My plans after graduation are to become a Special Education Teacher at a high school, whether as the assistant or lead teacher, while attending Graduate School to secure my Master’s degree. What advice would you give to someone just starting in the COE College of Education?: Don’t be too shy to talk to the person next to you. They could potentially become your best friend. Also keep notes, this is a must I can’t count how many times I’ve had to use notes from previous courses in present classes. Ask questions and don’t be embarrassed to do so! What are you involved in on campus?: College of Education Ambassador and Student Success Programs What is a fun fact about you?: I love, love, love Harry Potter.
	Reese Mayfield Major: Teaching All Learners Minor: Political Science, UofM Lambuth Campus Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2025 Hometown: Bolivar, TN What is your favorite part of being in the College of Education at the UofM? Everyone is a family in the College of Education. People stick together, and everyone is always around to help each other with anything. What are your career goals after education? I want to teach third or fourth grade. I would love to move away and explore different cities to teach at. What are you involved in on campus? I am the student services intern on the Lambuth campus, an involvement ambassador, orientation guide, frosh fusion counselor and part of the Wesley organization on campus. What advice would you give to someone just starting in the COE? Enjoy the little moments. Go to events and meet people. Some of the best people are in the College of Education. What is a fun fact about you? I have a YouTube channel! @ReeseRock
	U'Nisha Pearson Major: Teaching All Learners Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2026 Hometown: Nashville, TN What is your favorite part of being in the College of Education at the UofM? My favorite part about being in the COE is getting to meet new people who share the same interests as me, who can help me learn and grow as a person and future educator. What are your career goals after education? After graduating UofM, I plan on becoming a high school teacher! I haven’t decided on my subject just yet.
	Moriah (Mo) Szurpicki Major: Teaching All Learners: Special Education Minor: Applied Behavior Analysis Anticipated Graduation Date: 2025 or 2026 Hometown: Memphis What is your favorite part of being in the College of Education at the UofM? Learning more and more about my major and minor, while also finding and making new connections. What are your career goals after education? To hopefully get assigned to either an elementary or middle school and to help students with disabilities. What are you involved in on campus? Weeks of Welcome What advice would you give to someone just starting in the COE? My advice would be, to not give up! The path isn’t meant to be easy, but it is up to us to make it better. Be yourself, make connections, and most of all be involved. Find internships within the degree you are seeking. The sky is the limit! What is a fun fact about you? I love to listen to music, play video games and spend time with family and friends.
	Mekyland Williams Major: Teaching All Learners, Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis at the UofM Lambuth campus Anticipated graduation date: May 2024 Hometown: Michie, TN What’s your favorite part of being in the College of Education at the UofM?: I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my classes and professors in the College of Education! All my professors have been extremely helpful and encouraging throughout my time in college. What are your career goals after graduation?: After graduation, I want to continue my education to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy to become a school psychologist. What advice would you give to someone just starting in the COE College of Education?: One piece of advice I would give to someone starting in the College of Education is to save all of your notes and resources to begin developing your own teaching philosophy. Begin finding your “why” for teaching and hold on to that throughout your career! What are you involved in on campus?: In addition to being an ambassador for the College of Education, I am involved in the Lambuth Education Organization (LEO). What is a fun fact about you?: In my free time, I enjoy watercolor painting and archery.