Student Guides Keep Rockhurst Tours Lively

Robert Schaeffer and Erica Witt are Student Ambassadors at Rockhurst University. They take prospective students on tours around campus, providing a firsthand view of what Rockhurst has to offer to those making their college decision. Schaeffer and Witt say they want visitors to get a slice of the Rockhurst experience while they are on campus. They recently took time for a quick Q&A between tours.

Why did you choose to be a Student Ambassador at Rockhurst?
Robert: My tour guide did a really good job when I visited. Rockhurst fit the bill for what I was looking for. 
Erica: I think it was really good to have a student perspective. It was nice to hear someone who had gone through a big decision like this and had an honest opinion.

What is great about going on tours?
Erica: It’s nice to get acquainted with the area and show Rockhurst in the best light that I can. Sometimes I get emotionally attached and really want them to come here. 
Robert: I can totally relate to that. If they really like Rockhurst, then I try to throw in some final information to really get them to come here. 
Erica: When you get a family that is really engaging, it makes the tour really fun.

What are some stories or personal information you tell on tours?
Erica: I like to tell about one of my favorite professors, Glenn Young. Even though his class was at 8 in the morning, it was one of the best classes because of him. I try to use as many personal examples as I can because that is what I appreciated when I toured. It really makes Rockhurst stand out.

Can you remember a specific tour that stood out?
Robert: One tour I gave, the student had come two or three times already. This time he brought his grandma. She couldn’t walk that far, so we did the tour on the golf cart. I’m really excited because he’s coming here this fall. 
Erica: I gave a tour to someone on registration day. He was with his mom and grandpa. He had already registered and was coming to Rockhurst, but had never seen the campus. All throughout the tour his grandpa would keep asking me to repeat things and I felt a lot of pressure to make sure he really liked the campus. In the end he loved it and had made the right choice.

Anything those going on a tour should know?
Robert: This isn’t so much advice, but a request. Ask questions. It’s our job to tell them what Rockhurst has that other universities don’t, but if they don’t pry for more information, then they won’t come out with anything more than statistics about the school. 
Erica: I know I didn’t take it that seriously when I toured, and I really should have. You’re making a big decision. This may sound like work, but if you can think of things to ask ahead of time, then you’ll get more out of the tour.