Why recruit student ambassadors in 2024?

Why is it becoming increasingly important to promote student voices in higher education? Because prospective students want to hear from real students and real faces so they can make an informed decision on where to study.?

Recruiting student ambassadors enables you to promote your institution through student voice, in-person events, social media and university materials using a genuine student voice. Your ambassadors will interact with prospective and current students to cultivate a sense of belonging, make real change, recruit new freshers, and communicate their experiences on an international scope.

Why are student ambassadors important?

Student ambassadors build community and trust for an institution. There was a time when going to university, especially as an international student, was like being thrown into the deep end. But now, with university ambassadors and new technologies, prospective students are able to ask all the important questions to a friendly face, one who has experienced it all before. It provides a huge advantage.

Student ambassadors assist new and current students, including those who are coming abroad through study abroad or exchange programmes, helping them to feel comfortable and settled in a university environment.?

Student ambassadors are relatable faces with authentic voices, and their perspectives will resonate more than the standard marketing materials that are usually produced by universities.

Key Roles and Responsibilities of a Student Ambassador

Student ambassadors are likely to take part in:

• Helping new students settle in
• Campus tours
• Social media presence?
• Networking events
• Open days
• Testimonials on sites, such as WiSH
• Student staff forums
• Online chat services
• General university feedback

What Makes a Good Student Ambassador?

The students that you choose to become ambassadors will need the following skills:

• Confidence
• A positive outlook about the university
• Be a good role model for prospective students
• Reliable and good at time management
• Good communication skills
• Proficient understanding of social media platforms
• Interest in improving and promoting the student experience

The Impact of Technology on Student Ambassador Programs

Advancements in technology have transformed the ability to access student testimonials, with a range of student ambassador platforms available on the web, such as Unibuddy, WiSH and The Student Room. These platforms help to increase engagement and communication between current and prospective students. Higher education institutions should utilise these platforms in their marketing strategies in order to stay up to date with the latest trends, and to promote student engagement. Promoting student voice across a variety of platforms is a great way to get the word out about your institution.?

The Importance of Inclusivity in Student Ambassador Programs

The main point of recruiting student ambassadors is so that prospective students can interact with people who are like them or who are from their home country. It is so important to have a diverse group of student ambassadors, in terms of home country but also in terms of their course of study. This can help aid with international student recruitment, as “students today respond well to personal stories and authentic experiences, even when it comes to education marketing. Research shows that 50% of millennials trust product recommendations from influencers.” If students feel comfortable and represented then this is more likely to influence their decision.?

It is so important to showcase diversity within your student community. For example on platforms such as WiSH, universities can house a variety of student testimonials in one place, as shown with this example for London Metropolitan University.?

WiSH works as a platform to promote student voice, so that prospective students can read real life testimonials before the application stage. Many of our testimonials are taken from student ambassadors. Studies show that students prefer to make decisions based on the honest opinions of other students.

Future Trends in Student Ambassador Programs

Student ambassador programmes are ever-changing and ever-developing as the influence of the Gen Alpha demographic grows. Utilising social media platforms such as TikTok in marketing and recruitment strategy is needed now more than ever in order to reach and stay relatable to these new audiences.

How to Recruit Student Ambassadors

Becoming a student ambassador is usually a simple process. You can recruit through on-campus events or through your online platforms such as your student portal or social media. It’s important to have a clear idea of what you are looking for in an ambassador.

Conclusion

Student ambassadors can and should play a major role in your institution’s marketing strategy. To summarise, here are the main areas that ambassadors bring value to:

• Student voice - Student ambassadors play a crucial role not only in enhancing recruitment efforts but also in building a sense of community, giving your institution a strong voice.
• Recruitment - student ambassadors offer a genuine perspective that helps potential students feel more connected to the idea of studying at that particular institution.
• Community - student ambassadors build a strong sense of community and friendship within the university, which helps with a sense of belonging.