Coconino News

Coconino Community College issued the following announcement on Aug. 27.

Alexis “Lexi” Jishie sits behind the partition at her desk. She’s masked for safety, but she’s ready to be helpful for students.

 Jishie is a Student Ambassador for Coconino Community College, and it is her job to help students navigate through the college experience.

 “What I enjoy most about it is how involved I can be with students and Student Life activities,” Jishie said. “I like working with the other Student Ambassadors and getting out of my comfort zone and advocating for and helping students.”

 Jishie is a CCC alum who is currently studying for her bachelor’s degree in Psychology online with Arizona State University. She’s been a Student Ambassador for a little over a year, much of her work during the COVID-19 pandemic when classes were primarily offered online and via videoconferencing. She is now back in person to help students who are back in person, albeit wearing face coverings for the fall semester.

 Student Ambassadors are student leaders who provide new and current students general assistance with admissions, registration, advising and other CCC services, said Juanita Tarango, CCC Director of Student Success. They have experience navigating the college and serve as a resource to all students.

 “In addition to providing support for students, the SA’s have created ‘How To’ videos and reference guides that students can use to help them navigate Canvas, DegreeWorks, MyCCC student portal, Tutoring Services and how to set up an advising appointment,” Tarango added.

 Student Ambassadors also serve on committees – like the Diversity Committee, the 30th Anniversary Committee and the Instructional and Service Standards Committee. Finally, they will be the first student leaders to present a workshop at the annual Student Leadership Retreat, hosted by the Maricopa Community College District, Central Arizona College and CCC.

 They are also tasked with reaching out to students to remind them about advising appointments, registration, and tuition payment deadlines. Between Fall 2020 and Fall 2021, Student Ambassadors made more than 1,000 calls to students.

 Jishie said she is the second-oldest sibling in her family. She and her sister have taken the college route, the first generation in their family to do so.

 “My sister taught me about a path to college, and I want to help like that,” Jishie said. “I wanted to work at CCC because CCC had such a big impact on me. I wasn’t ready for the big university experience. This school helped build the passion I now have for education.”

 Now that she’s found solid footing, she wants to help as best she can as a Student Ambassador. In the future, she wants to work with a college and students when she’s out in the world after her bachelor’s degree. Her dream job would be marketing work – particularly creative work – for an institution of higher learning so she can let others know of the opportunities she’s received with an education.

 “It will be nice to work with students after college,” she said.

Original source can be found here.