When Miami University Regionals launched the Engineering Technology (ENT) Student Ambassador Program in spring 2025, the mission was clear: elevate the voices of the students who know the program best.

“We recognized that prospective students connect most deeply with peers,” said Barbie Gregory, Ohio Career Pathway Support Network SW Regional Coordinator. “The ambassador program was created to give these students a platform to share their stories and expertise directly with regional high schools, families, and community partners.”

They’re engineers. They’re mentors. They’re storytellers. ENT Ambassadors are more than tour guides or event volunteers — they’re subject-matter experts on Miami’s engineering technology experience. Their voices resonate because they speak with authenticity. They understand the coursework, the labs, the challenges, and the breakthroughs.

Authenticity is key

“Their authenticity is the core of their impact,” Gregory said. “​​While faculty provide instruction and expertise, ambassadors provide things that are equally valuable like peer-to-peer reassurance; relatable pathways; insight into coursework and labs; and honest discussions about cost, scheduling, and career plans.”

Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology major Tiffany Schatzle, a junior from Trenton, saw the program as an opportunity to share her experiences and possibly inspire someone else to begin their journey at Miami.

“One of my professors was telling me about the opportunity and ended up recommending me for the program,” Schatzle said. “I've enjoyed working with faculty to exchange insights and meet prospective students. I'm glad that I can be part of something that can help people get started on the path to their future career.”

Their work takes them across southwest Ohio, visiting high schools and centers aligned with Miami’s Career and Technical Educational (CTE) Program. They participate in hands-on demonstrations and Q-and-A sessions, speak on student panels at recruitment and transfer events, support major campus activities like Senior Design Day and Meet the Majors, assist with tours of the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation (AM) Hub, work with STEAM summer camps, and contribute to marketing projects.

“Their technical expertise comes from their lived experience in the program. Their relatability comes from the fact that each of them has a unique path,” Gregory said.

Selected for their strengths – and their stories

ENT Ambassadors are nominated by faculty who have seen their abilities firsthand in classrooms, labs, and collaborative project spaces. Faculty choose students who can confidently share their Miami journey, make engineering feel accessible, connect naturally with younger learners, speak enthusiastically about their projects and concentrations, and demonstrate professionalism and reliability in every setting.

Their expertise is grounded in real, hands-on work — solving problems, building projects, and navigating advanced labs. Their relatability grows from the diversity of their backgrounds: College Credit Plus students, transfer students, associate-degree completers, and graduates of regional CTE engineering pathways, including Butler Tech’s Mechatronics program. Together, they illustrate that there is no single path into engineering technology, and every story adds value to the team.

Together, they represent the many different paths into engineering technology.

“My professor, Rob Speckert, had recommended me for the ambassador program after taking my very first Introduction to Engineering Technology course with him,” Brianna Mullins, a sophomore from Edgewood, said. “It was quite intimidating as a new college student, and I was nervous about the social and public aspect of the position. However, it's a wonderful way to connect with the faculty members and with fellow students in the program, and the future opportunities and networking involved as an ambassador are such a huge benefit.”

Senior Stephen Malamisuro, a Fairfield native who graduated from the Butler Tech program, said, the ambassador program helped him realize his strength in connecting with people and being a leader.

“I had an idea that these were strengths of mine, but through our events, I realized how naturally it came to me to connect with people and lead them naturally. This program has grown some skills that I was able to catch a glimpse of throughout high school.”

Schatzle agreed, adding, “Through the ambassador program, I have furthered my public speaking/presentation skills, which has given me more confidence. It has also led me to the possibility of teaching engineering to students one day, or continuing to try and serve as a mentor of some kind for upcoming students.” 

Powered by generosity and vision

The Engineering Technology Student Ambassador Program is made possible through the generous support of the Armin J. Fleck gift fund. This funding was designated specifically to strengthen the Engineering Technology Department’s outreach to local high schools — and it has directly enabled the creation, training, and compensation of the ambassadors.

“This funding allowed us to compensate ambassadors for their time, support outreach efforts, and expand Miami’s presence within local engineering and CTE programs,”Gregory said. “Without this investment, this level of high-impact, peer-led engagement would not have been possible.”

With the excitement around the opening of the AM Hub, scheduled for January, Gregory and the ambassadors are envisioning ways in which their roles may change. 

“My favorite part of the program is getting to be involved with the behind the scenes stuff like the AM Hub,” said Garrett Engle, a senior from Cincinnati. “I was able to get a tour of the building before it was announced that we had purchased it, and then over the past semester, I was able to tour the building as construction was ongoing. If I wasn't part of the program, I wouldn't have had those incredible experiences.”

Schatzle said, “We have had many discussions about how our ambassadorship might look with the upcoming AM Hub transition. There are a plethora of ideas that have been bounced around, but we are doing our best to remain flexible with all the changes that are happening within the next few months.” 

Malamisuro sees the ambassador program growing into something much bigger. 

“The ambassadors will be able to showcase a fully functioning AM Hub that will draw lots of attention from people all across Ohio,” he said.

Gregory said, “The AM Hub will create even more opportunities for ambassadors to lead tours and speak about state-of-the-art equipment from a student’s point of view. Because they  are the ones learning the equipment, completing the labs, and preparing for engineering technology careers, they are the best people to explain what the AM Hub offers and how it impacts student learning.”