Did you know that Mat-Su College has Student Ambassadors?
It does! There are four Student Ambassadors this year and in case you haven't met any of them yet, or were unaware (as I was) that they even existed, I am now going to introduce them to you.
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| Bradley Lucas |
The first is our only previously-experienced Student Ambassador, and the best-dressed of the bunch, Bradley Lucas. He is currently in the Associate of Arts degree program at Mat-Su but will soon be at UAA pursuing a double major in accounting and finance. Bradley was born in Eugene, Oregon, but grew up in Alaska. He is a connoisseur of everything French and even spent two weeks in France last year. If you ask him about it he'll probably start speaking in French. Bradley also plays the piano and loves to read, especially science fiction.
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| Melissa Barkley |
The next Ambassador is Melissa Barkley, who said I could write whatever I wanted about her. I promise to stick to the facts. Melissa is currently a Freshman at Mat-Su College seeking an Associate of Arts degree with hopes of eventually majoring in Psychology. She has an older brother and two small dogs who keep her entertained. Her long-time passion was cheerleading, but Melissa hung up her pom-poms after high school and is enjoying her retirement from sports. While at work, Melissa keeps her co-workers amused with her quotable one-liners and fun-loving personality.
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| Britney Jenkin |
Britney Jenkin is a Sophomore Ambassador who will soon receive her Associate of Arts degree from Mat-Su College. She graduated Salutatorian from Wasilla Lake Christian School and says she loves to play sports, especially soccer and volleyball. She has one older sister, two younger brothers, and a silky terrier named Simon. Britney is a history buff and an avid traveler, recently taking a trip to Belize. She has a great sense of humor and can usually tell you anything you want to know about the latest movies in theaters, especially if they're animated.
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| Lindsey Shelley |
Your fourth Student Ambassador is myself, Lindsey Shelley. I'm what wikipedia calls a "super-senior", a student who takes more than four years to graduate, sometimes a lot more! I recently returned to college after ten years spent raising my son. I am working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environment and Society from UAA and am loving my science classes. I crave traveling and adventure, especially in warm places where I can go snorkeling. In the winter, I keep myself busy playing women's soccer, hanging out with my family, reading, cooking, and traveling. I did my Freshman year of college right here at Mat-Su College back in 1996 and I really appreciate how much it has evolved since then.
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| Mike Swanson |
Lastly, I want to introduce the man in charge of the Student Ambassadors at Mat-Su College: Mike Swanson. You may have already met Mike if you've sought advising in Student Services this year. He came to the Valley after spending four years at the UAF Bristol Bay Campus in Dillingham. He is happily married to a lovely lady he met in Dillingham and has three children at home. Mike never ceases to amaze (or amuse) with his interesting stories, famous quotes, and memorized song lyrics. He says he's "thankful to have a team of motivated, enthusiastic Student Ambassadors who are kind enough to overlook his organizational shortcomings to provide relief and assistance" to the Student Services department.
I think I can speak for all the Student Ambassadors when I say that we are thankful for our jobs and the opportunity to work at a great place like Mat-Su College where students, staff, and faculty can truly get to know each other.
