Kansas State University students selected to promote libraries, educate peers
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016
The newest members of the K-State Libraries Student Ambassadors, front row, from left: Yasameen Albasri, Sam Wilson, Sera Sperke, Erryn Goods and Lakith Ranaweera, Victoria Sparkman; back row, from left: Leah Russell, Dana Weaver, Haden Botkin, Stephanie Wallace, Savannah Winkler, Yepiao Yu, Basem Boutros, Shiwei Xu, Abdullah Choudhry, Devin Bratkiv and Mary Pat Siebert. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — Thousands of students spend time studying in Kansas State University Libraries, and about 60 students find part-time work there every year. But a select group is going above and beyond to promote K-State Libraries as volunteers.
Seventeen students from a wide range of majors and at both the undergraduate and graduate levels have been selected through a competitive process to join the ranks of the K-State Libraries Student Ambassadors.
Ambassadors serve two-year terms as advocates and representatives for K-State Libraries at social, cultural and recruitment activities. They also provide valuable feedback on K-State Libraries' initiatives and services, as well as advocate for the perspectives of the larger university student body. The ambassador program provides students with leadership skills, professional connections and the opportunity to make a positive impact at the university. For more information about the program, visit lib.k-state.edu/ambassadors.
The ambassadors were chosen following an application period and finalist interviews. The interview committee included advisers Sara Kearns, academic services librarian; Darchelle Martin, public relations officer; and Charissa Powell, undergraduate services librarian. They were joined by three of the group's current members.
"In the ambassadors' first three seasons, they worked at community and recruitment events and advised the Libraries in critically important decisions," Martin said. "The group has really found its footing, and we're pleased that our 30 students come from diverse majors and phases of their academic careers, from first-year students through doctoral candidates."
The following students are new K-State Libraries Student Ambassadors for 2016-2018:
Haden Botkin, sophomore in secondary education-business, Blue Rapids; Sam Wilson, freshman in mechanical engineering, Derby.
From Greater Kansas City: Leah Russell, freshman in agricultural communications and journalism, Gardner; Devin Bratkiv, freshman in open option, and Sera Sperke, freshman in family studies and human services, and pre-medicine, both from Olathe; Stephanie Wallace, senior in English-creative writing, Overland Park; and Mary Pat Siebert, sophomore in computer science, Shawnee.
Savannah Winkler, sophomore in English, Hutchinson; Victoria Sparkman, sophomore in political science and international studies, Lawrence; and Lakith Ranaweera, sophomore in biology, Manhattan.
From out of state: Erryn Goods, sophomore in animal sciences and industry, and pre-veterinary medicine, Plumas Lake, California; and Dana Weaver, junior in kinesiology and pre-physical therapy, Metter, Georgia.
From out of country: Shiwei Xu, master's student in grain science, and Yepiao Yu, sophomore in secondary education, both from China; Basem Boutros, doctoral student in hospitality management, Egypt; Yasameen Albasri, sophomore in biology, Iraq; and Muhammad Abdullah Choudhry, senior in mechanical engineering, Pakistan.
