Cleveland State Community College student Hunter Stokes says he has been able to get to know everyone on campus through the CSCC Ambassadors working in the Enrollment Services Department on campus—even President Dr. Bill Seymour!
“You can just sit down and have lunch with the president at CSCC,” stated Mr. Stokes. “I don’t know many four-year schools where you can do that. I got to know him through the Ambassadors. He is an awesome, down to earth guy; you can just sit down and have a normal conversation with him. He is not too good to talk to the students here. I’m not sure that you can do that at a university.”
Mr. Stokes takes his role as a CSCC Ambassador very seriously. Student Ambassadors serve as the first point of contact to hundreds of students each year. The goal of the Student Ambassadors is to educate prospective students, families, school groups and the general public on the programs, resources and student life at CSCC. Stokes conducts campus tours, participates in college fairs, provides assistance in the Enrollment Services Department on campus, assists at events on campus and recruits at the local high schools.
“One of my favorite things I have been able to do was help at McMinn,” stated Mr. Stokes. “I was able to tell the high school students about Tennessee Promise and the free opportunity to go to college. I told them about my experience at CSCC—which classes to take, which classes I took, which teachers I had. I gave them tips on how to study, not to procrastinate.”
In addition to the CSCC Ambassadors, Mr. Stokes is also involved in Phi Theta Kappa and the intramural program on campus.
“I like to be involved on campus,” stated Mr. Stokes. “I don’t like to just go to class and go home. That would be my suggestion for others—to get out there and be involved. Meet the faculty and staff; it will make your experience even better.”
Mr. Stokes said one reason he has been able to get to know students, faculty and staff on campus is because of Cleveland State’s small size. “You connect more with your fellow students in a smaller class setting—you become more like friends. The same thing goes with the faculty and staff. It’s a lot easier to connect in a smaller class setting. You just can’t get that at a larger institution. The faculty and staff at CSCC want you to succeed. And they will work with you to watch you excel. Not just in class, but in life.”
Mr. Stokes is the son of Bryan and Melissa Stokes of Etowah.