Thirteen students from the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences are “eager to impact and connect” as they assume their new role as CAFES ambassadors.
The CAFES ambassador team is primarily responsible for visiting high schools in the surrounding states and helping to recruit prospective students.
They also will assist with events on campus such as Junior and Senior Day. Ambassadors will typically serve in this position until they graduate.
This year there were 23 applicants to fill the roles of nine graduating seniors and to expand the team.
The newly selected ambassadors are Chiara Thompson, Rachel Teunissen, Emily Robbins, Megan Sanders, Braylee Wolff, Karissa Brunner, Keegan Lorang, Kyle Hamilton, Dustin Kolb, Brandon Gengler, Tanner Mathiowetz, Madison Melcher and Lexi Gloege.
Chiara Thompson is a sophomore from Forest City, Iowa. She is an animal science major with minors in animal health, chemistry, and ranch management. Thompson wanted to become a CAFES ambassador to deepen her understanding of campus, make meaningful connections and enhance her leadership and communication skills.
“As a CAFES ambassador, I’m eager to impact and connect with advisors and future students,” Thompson said. “I aim to be approachable, share my experiences, provide program information, and foster a positive atmosphere.”
Rachel Teunissen, a sophomore from Alvord, Iowa, is majoring in agricultural communications. Teunissen wanted to become a CAFES ambassador because she wanted to be one of the people for prospective students and give them confidence when entering their next step after high school. Teunissen is most excited to, “share the excitement and promote all the opportunities that SDSU and CAFES have to offer potential students.”
Emily Robbins is from Elkton, South Dakota. Robbins is majoring in agricultural business with minors in agribusiness marketing and accounting. Robbins wanted to become a CAFES ambassador because she wanted to share her knowledge of agriculture and SDSU with future students and strives to demonstrate the roles we can all play within the agriculture industry.
“As a CAFES Ambassador, I am most excited to get to connect with current students on campus and potential SDSU students,” Robbins said.
Megan Sanders, a sophomore from Oral, South Dakota, is majoring in agricultural business with minors in animal science, agribusiness marketing, land evaluation, and rural real estate.
“I wanted to become a CAFES Ambassador to promote the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences to high school students along with the extensive list of opportunities that fall within CAFES,” Sanders said. Sanders is most excited to network with high school students and match their interests and goals with the education and opportunities CAFES has to offer.
Braylee Wolff is a sophomore from Westfield, Wisconsin. She is majoring in animal science and agricultural science with minors in agronomy, agricultural business, and agribusiness marketing. Wolff wanted to become a CAFES ambassador to express her love and passion for the college to potential students.
“I am most excited to go on classroom visits and tell students about all of the great opportunities South Dakota State University has to offer from extracurriculars like swine club, Little International, and intramural sports to all of the different pathways you can take academically and career-wise,” Wolff said.
Karissa Brunner, a sophomore from Menomonie, Wisconsin, is majoring in ecology and environmental science with a minor in political science along with geographic information sciences and agricultural/environmental law certificates. Brunner wanted to become a CAFES ambassador because she believes it is the best avenue for her to spread the word about all that CAFES has to offer. As one of the few ambassadors from the Natural Resource Management department, Brunner is excited to share her knowledge and experience with prospective students.
“I think we have a wonderful university and community, so being able to share my experiences with these students and possibly influence their decision and subsequently, their future is such an amazing opportunity,” Brunner said.
Keegan Lorang, a freshman from Morton, Minnesota, is majoring in agricultural systems technology with minors in agricultural business and precision agriculture. Lorang wanted to become a CAFES ambassador because he is passionate about advocating for SDSU and specifically the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences.
“I am excited to have a role here at SDSU that allows me to tell others about how great SDSU is,” Lorang said.
Kyle Hamilton is a sophomore from Hitchcock, South Dakota. Hamilton is majoring in agricultural science with minors in precision agriculture and agricultural business. Hamilton wanted to become a CAFES ambassador because he thought it was an excellent opportunity to get more involved on campus, network with others, grow as a leader, and a speaker, and meet other students interested in agriculture and SDSU.
“Agriculture is what connects all of us in CAFES and [being an ambassador] is a great way to continue to grow and learn more,” Hamilton said.
Dustin Kolb is a freshman from Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Kolb is majoring in agricultural education and agricultural science. Kolb wanted to become a CAFES ambassador to become more involved at SDSU and help prospective high school students decide if SDSU is the right fit for them.
“I am excited to visit schools in the surrounding states and share the opportunities SDSU has to offer,” Kolb said.
Brandon Gengler is a freshman from Le Mars, Iowa. He is majoring in agricultural systems technology with minors in agricultural business and precision agriculture.
“I wanted to become a CAFES ambassador because the reason I came to SDSU was because of a CAFES ambassador,” Gangler said. “I would like to help other kids get to know what CAFES is and to help them get a better understanding of SDSU as a whole.” Gangler is excited to share with students all of the opportunities SDSU and CAFES have to offer for those who enjoy agriculture.
Tanner Mathiowetz is a sophomore from Morgan, Minnesota. Mathiowetz is majoring in agricultural business with minors in land evaluation and rural real estate. Mathiowetz wanted to become a CAFES ambassador to advocate for the college and try to recruit new students.
“I’m excited to share my knowledge and inspire young students to join our great college and watch them develop professionally,” Mathiowetz said.
Madison Melcher is a sophomore from Page, Nebraska. Melcher is majoring in agricultural leadership with a minor in animal science.
“I wanted to be a CAFES Ambassador because I want to spread the word of how amazing SDSU’s CAFES program is,” Melcher said. “I have been so lucky to have found a passion for my major because of the amazing educators in the CAFES department.”
Lexi Gloege did not respond to the Collegian’s media request.
Brad Blaha, Coordinator-Recruitment & Academic Services for the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences was a part of the selection committee.
“Having done the interviews for many years, I am always impressed by the quality of students that have applied for these positions,” Blaha said. “These students have big shoes to fill as we have a strong group of seniors graduating this May but I am sure these new ambassadors will be up to the task.”