Ivy League Recruiters prepare to welcome future Eagles
Future Eagles often arrive on Meridian Community College’s campus with questions about classes, programs, campus life, and what it means to be part of MCC.
That is where MCC’s Ivy League Recruiters make a difference.
The student ambassador and recruiting group helps prospective students and their families experience MCC through the eyes of current students who already know what it means to call the College home. As they prepare for the new academic term, the Ivy League Recruiters recently completed a two-day training seminar focused on campus tours, event support, customer service, team building, letter writing, and even hands-on practice with tent setup and takedown for recruiting events.
“Ivy League Recruiters help future Eagles see MCC through the eyes of current Eagles,” said Tiereni White, MCC enrollment support coordinator and an advisor for Ivy League. Other advisors include Mandy Hurtt, director of recruiting and admissions; Alec Fox, recruiting coordinator; and Ashlee Dean, recruiting coordinator.
“They represent the College at campus and community events and welcome prospective students, families, high school groups, and guests to campus,” White added.
The Ivy League Recruiters serve in a variety of roles throughout the year. They lead campus tours, assist with recruiting events, support orientation and registration, answer student questions, visit high schools, and take part in preview-day events such as The Eagle Experience, where prospective students learn about MCC, hear from current students, and tour campus.
While the program plays an important role in recruiting future students, it also provides leadership development for the students who serve. Recruiters gain hands-on experience in public speaking, teamwork, service, and communication while building confidence and learning how to share MCC’s programs, campus life, and student experience with others.
Returning recruiter Laklee Howell, 19, a sophomore from Hickory who plans to become a clinical laboratory scientist, said Ivy League has helped her grow personally and professionally.
“Ivy League changed me for the better,” Howell said. “There are so many opportunities to grow in Ivy League. Even though it’s my second year, I’m still gaining and learning from it. It helps me with my communication skills, and that’s something I wanted to improve. And I love the people. I meet so many people. It’s like a family, and I really enjoy that part about it.”
After the training seminar, Howell said she feels even more connected to her fellow recruiters.
“It’s like having my own family here,” she said.
One of the newest Ivy League Recruiters, Aaron Walls, is looking forward to the year ahead. Walls, 18, of Bailey, is a freshman who plans to pursue a career in sports medicine with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. He is also a new member of the Eagles Track Team.
“This is a good opportunity,” Walls said of joining Ivy League. “I really do like meeting people,” he added, noting that others have often described him as a people person.
Freshman members of Ivy League include Ross Roberts, AnnLee Haney, Makayla Kendricks, Katie Tyson, and Kalynn Jackson, all of Meridian; Andy Pulido of Toomsuba; Aaron Walls and Christian Nix, both of Bailey; and Brooke Baltzell and Mckenzie Young, both of Collinsville.
Sophomore Ivy Leaguers include My’Precious Moss, Brooklyn Johnson, Kenzleigh Dearman, Kameisha Houston, Glorious Johnson, Anna McCary, Joshua Randall, Scarlet Walker, Polly Roberts, and Emma Wells, all of Meridian; Matthew Kirkland of Brewton, Alabama; Elizabeth Crudup and Hannah Beddingfield, both of Collinsville; Laklee Howell of Hickory; and Macy Adams of Raleigh. Landon Lofton of Rose Hill is a super sophomore.
For more information about the Ivy League Recruiters, visit meridiancc.edu/ivyleague.