Advising Ambassador Program
Our Mission
The AAC Advising Ambassador Program develops and empowers U of U students to be successful in higher education. Through meaningful professional development opportunities in AAC—advising appointments, tabling, office projects, and trainings—Advising Ambassadors graduate prepared to pursue careers in higher education. As students who are also advisors, Ambassador's bring to an advising appointment a unique perspective, putting a friendly, un-intimidating face on advising for fellow students.
What is an Advising Ambassador?
An Advising Ambassador is a current undergraduate student able to assist their fellow peers with questions as they begin and continue their journey at the University of Utah
Meet Our Peer
Emily Lewis Williamson
Emily joined AAC in 2023 as the student Advising Ambassador. Having just completed her first year at the U, Emily is majoring in Theatre with an emphasis in acting! She is a member of the Honors College and a graduate of West High School here in Salt Lake City. For her entire first semester at the U, Emily did was undecided on her major. She took UGS 1050: Major Exploration, a class that helps point you in the direction of interests you might like or dislike. This class encouraged her to make her passion for art into her major, and now helps students who are exploring just like was and still is. In her free time, Emily loves to play soccer, weight lift, and watch her favorite shows. If you see Emily around campus it might be her identical twin sister so if she is hesitant to wave that's why!
Erica Lampers
My major exploration story:
When I first started at the University at Utah, I knew that I wanted to major in Biology and do a PrePharmcy track. I had always loved stem, and the hands on feel to it.
During my second semester at the U, I decided to take Principles of Public Speaking (Comm 1020) since it was an area of interest, and it completed a Gen Ed requirement. The course itself showed me a completely different department at the U that I didn’t know about before. I loved the course and enjoyed being able to communicate ideas and interests to others. When the course ended, I decided to continue with Biology, but still kept my options open. I started looking at adding a Strat Comm Minor since it would allow me to take more communications courses.
Towards the end of my second year, I realized that biology was not the best fit for me. I learned that I am better communicating about the sciences rather than doing it hands on in a lab. I decided to look more into the Communications department as an option and realized that major offers a Science, Health, Environmental, and Risk emphasis. Within a matter of 2 days, I chatted with a Communications advisor and switched my entire class schedule to fit the major. I have been a communications major since, and I have loved everything about it.
Why you should meet with me:
I have had a traditional college experience: I came from out-of-state and lived in the dorms my freshman year, so I understand the fear incoming freshmen can have.
Favorite class:
COMM 1020: Principles of Public Speaking
College tips:
Always sit in the same spot in each of your classes, especially large lectures. This allows not only students to recognize who you are, but professors and TAs. Also, take advantage of student discounts.