CEHHS Student Leadership Ambassador Team Empowers Students Through Outreach and Professional Development
The College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) at Cal State San Marcos has launched the CEHHS Student Leadership Ambassador Team, providing students with hands-on experience in outreach, storytelling and communications while supporting initiatives across the college. This innovative program, conceived by Marilyn Huerta, the college’s marketing, communications and engagement specialist, aims to create a student-led leadership and communications team to highlight the work and impact of CEHHS programs.
The inaugural team consists of four dedicated students who are expanding the college’s visibility while building professional skills that will support their future careers. Each ambassador brings unique talents and perspectives to the team:
Ariana Saenz: Amplifying Student Voices Through Podcasting
Ariana Saenz hosts the college’s new podcast series, “CEHHS Unplugged,” where she interviews health and education professionals about their backgrounds, programs they teach, career pathways and words of wisdom. Through this platform, Saenz is proud to help amplify student voices and showcase the incredible community within the college.
Daniel Lopez: Showcasing Student Success Stories
Daniel Lopez launched the CEHHS Student & Success Story Series, producing written profiles that showcase the journeys and accomplishments of CEHHS students and alumni. His work helps highlight the diverse experiences and achievements of the college community.
Natalya Taseveki: Coordinating Student Engagement Efforts
Serving as the team’s lead ambassador, Natalya Taseveki helps coordinate student engagement efforts and supports events and activities across the college. Her work includes programming connected to Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs, kinesiology, human development, social work, education, nursing, speech-language pathology and public health.
Audrie Smith: Building Digital Presence and Social Media Engagement
Audrie Smith started the college’s TikTok account and helps manage CEHHS social media platforms, sharing content that highlights events, fundraisers, student life and college achievements. Her digital expertise is helping the college connect with students in new and engaging ways.
Comprehensive Support for College Initiatives
The ambassadors support a wide range of initiatives across the college. They assist the CEHHS dean, Jennifer Ostergren, during events honoring students who earned dean’s list recognition and participate in outreach and recruitment activities such as Cougar Blue Day and Discover CSUSM. They also contribute to campuswide efforts such as Giving Day and Cougar Crowdfunding.
Last semester, they hosted a student engagement “Giving Tree” event to encourage philanthropy and community support. Beyond large events, the ambassadors attend student organization meetings and departmental activities to photograph and document student experiences across CEHHS.
Professional Development and Career Preparation
Participation in the program emphasizes professional development. Through the CSUSM Career Center, the ambassadors are building career portfolios, strengthening résumé and interview skills, participating in workshops and attending the university’s Etiquette Dinner experience. They also remain active across campus through initiatives with Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and the university’s Orientation Team.
Collaboration and Inclusivity
The team collaborates with the college’s Committee for Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity (CIDE) to support outreach and networking opportunities for students. This partnership ensures that the ambassador program promotes diversity and creates inclusive spaces for all students.
Mentorship and Growth
Marilyn Huerta continues to mentor and supervise the team members as they develop leadership and communication skills while serving as ambassadors for the college. Her guidance helps students navigate their roles and maximize their learning experiences.
Future Expansion and Opportunities
College leaders hope the program will continue to grow in the coming years, giving more students opportunities to gain real-world experience while helping share the stories and impact of CEHHS programs. The success of the inaugural team demonstrates the value of student-led initiatives in higher education.
The CEHHS Student Leadership Ambassador Team represents an innovative approach to student engagement and professional development. By combining practical experience with academic learning, the program prepares students for successful careers while strengthening the college community. As the team continues to grow and evolve, it will undoubtedly create new opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to their college and future professions.
