CONTRIBUTED

In August, Sandhills Community College launched a Student Ambassadors program.

After an extensive application process, six current students were selected as the charter Student Ambassadors.

These students will act as a link between the college and the community.

“They will play a vital support role by representing the college at community events, leading campus tours, attending recruiting events to share their experiences with prospective students, serve at student functions, and assist the Foundation with various events,” says a spokesman.

The ambassadors were selected, from a pool of 49 applicants, for their academic accomplishments; involvement on the campus and in the community; and for their interpersonal skills.

They will be provided the opportunity to gain valuable collaborative experiences while improving communication skills, learning teamwork, and the six will gain beneficial experience working with various age groups.

They will be the “face of the college” to the community at large, a liaison between the students and the citizenry of both Moore and Hoke counties.

The 2011-12 Sandhills Community College Student Ambassadors are Albert Conforti, Denise Hayes, Katherine Ireland, Jhansi Nandipati, Jim Rainey, and Cerissa White.

Conforti is a computer programming major in his second year at Sandhills. He served six years on active duty in the U.S. Army and afterward spent several years in the civilian work force before returning to college to earn an associate degree.

Mother of three teenage boys, Denise Hayes is in her second year at the college. After more than 15 years in the work force, Hayes returned to college to follow her dream of becoming a math teacher. She is enrolled in the University Studies associate of science program.

Katherine Ireland is enrolled in the University Studies college transfer program with plans to transfer to a four-year university after she completes an associate in arts degree. Ireland’s career goals include working as a psychiatric technician or in research before eventually going on to earn an advanced degree.

Jhansi Nandipati is a first-year student in the nursing program. Nandipati moved to the United States from India when she was in fifth grade. Her plan is to transfer to UNC-Chapel Hill with the long-term goal of becoming a cardiologist.

Jim Rainey is in his second year of the polysomnography program. He worked in management at Autozone for 17 years before deciding to return to school to earn an associate degree. Rainey is an avid motorcycle rider and aspiring photographer.

Cerissa White is in her first year of the nursing program. Hailing from Florida, she comes from a family of 10 children and currently resides with her husband in Raeford.

Each spring, the college will accept applications for the next academic year Student Ambassadors.

“Applicants must be able to easily begin conversations, multi-task, work under pressure, be a good student, and an upright member of the community,” says the spokesman.