The Beginning of a Wildcat Veterinarian Story

How K-State CVM Ambassadors hold the door open for future veterinarians.

Story and photos by Rylee Coy

Top photo caption: Ambassadors open the door to the College of Veterinary Medicine, setting the tone for every visitor’s experience. From left: second-year student Mara Coates, first-year Anna Rustand and second-year Abby Morris.

If you linger long enough in the halls around the College of Veterinary Medicine, you’ll notice something
special. A student pausing their busy day to lead a family through learning spaces across the college where futures begin. A student offering a kind, reassuring smile to a nervous veterinary school applicant before their interview in January. In both instances, a confident assurance that, yes — they belong here.

These moments come from the College of Veterinary Medicine Ambassadors, students in gray polos who carry the culture of K-State in every handshake, hallway conversation and Vet Town* greeting. They’re not just tour guides. They’re storytellers, cheerleaders and sometimes anxiety-soothers — always the first to hold the door.

Ambassadors often say their “why” traces back to the day they once stood in a visitor’s shoes. Nervous, unsure and hoping they were in the right place; someone helped them feel welcomed, seen and supported. Now they feel called to pay that feeling forward.

“I first considered becoming an ambassador after my interview with K-State this past spring,” first-year student Lynsey Buehler says. “After I interviewed, I couldn’t remember any questions I was asked or who
was on my panel due to my extreme nerves. However, I remembered the faces of those who spoke to me
both before and after my interview. Those girls were some of the current third-year ambassadors! It was so nice to have a comforting face to ease my nerves during the interview process. I knew I wanted to give someone else applying and interviewing the same comfort during such a stressful time. I also thought it would be a great opportunity to meet other students in and out of our class.”

*Vet Town is a social event held at the college before each home football game.

A First Impression that Lasts

The ambassador program is built around connections. Admissions staff can share facts and figures, but ambassadors show how the college feels. They are the bridge between curiosity and commitment — between possibility and belonging.
During interviews, they’re everywhere at once — guiding applicants in the right direction, striking up a conversation to ease nerves and often offering quiet encouragement before one of the biggest interviews of someone’s life.

“Although there are so many fun aspects that being an ambassador brings, I would definitely have to say that interview season is my favorite,” second-year student Ben Ramsey says. “It’s so interesting and fulfilling to be able to be a part of the process that sets students on a path toward the future they’ve been dreaming of. Whether it’s shuttling students to or from the school, providing tours or helping calm nerves before interviews begin, all of us ambassadors get to play an important role in facilitating the selection
of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s next class of DVM candidates.”

The ambassadors also help with Vet Town in the fall, as well as the White Coat and Commencement ceremonies in the spring. They support alumni during reunions and help them revisit cherished memories. They lead special tours for school and community groups. Wherever extra hands are needed, chances are there will be an ambassador or two. Their job isn’t to recite a script; it’s to help someone feel at home.

“To me, ambassadors are the people who can make or break an experience,” first-year student Anna Rustad says. “They are the first line of communication with prospective students who want a firsthand experience with the veterinary medicine program. They also make connections with prospective students and keep connections positive with alumni.”

 

Representing Every Wildcat Story

The ambassadors themselves are one of the program’s greatest strengths. They represent the full spectrum of students at K-State — different home states, species interests, backgrounds and paths into veterinary medicine.

Some moved across the country, choosing K-State over offers closer to home. Some are first-generation graduate students. Some gained experience in clinics, research labs or animal-related organizations before veterinary college and now enjoy helping others explore similar opportunities. They are proof there is no single “path” to becoming a veterinarian.

“I am greatly honored to represent the K-State family to visitors and future Wildcats,” Anna says. “I have very strong opinions about this school being the best. I was fortunate enough to get into every veterinary school I applied to and, ultimately, I came to K-State because it was the best school.”

Their different experiences allow prospective students to see someone they can relate to. It’s easier to envision their future when someone has similar experiences, interests and goals as them.

And sometimes, ambassadors end up being the first real connection a future Wildcat makes or the moment a dream begins to feel real.

Growing into the Role

For students who serve as ambassadors, the role quickly becomes more than a title. It’s an opportunity to represent their college and strengthen essential professional skills. Ambassadors learn how to take charge of a moment when someone needs directions and how to offer support when someone needs reassurance. They learn to adjust their communication style for anxious parents, enthusiastic school groups and alumni returning to relive their own memories — meeting people where they are at.

The ambassadors gain professionalism through every shift, learning how to make a positive first impression, how to talk about a place and profession they believe in and how to listen intentionally as visitors process information.

“Through being an ambassador, I have learned how rewarding it is to share your passions with other people,” Ben says. “I have been able to make a distinct positive impact on how applicants perceive and experience K-State, and the opportunity is one that will push me to share my passions more in the future as well.”

Over time, leadership emerges. Networking becomes second nature. Friendships form across class years and career interests, creating a peer support system that extends well beyond the student success centers.

“I’ve seen a lot of students grow in confidence,” says Rosa Blaske, recruitment coordinator, who oversees the ambassadors program. “This experience gives them room to grow and lets them see firsthand the impact they have on everyone who walks through our doors. Being an ambassador is more than just recruiting students — they have the chance to leave a lasting impression on every guest they meet.”

 

Moments that Matter

Sometimes, ambassadors see their impact right away — a prospective student leaves smiling and encouraged. Other times, the moment comes months later, when a familiar face arrives at orientation ready to start veterinary school.

There are also interactions with alumni — watching their excitement as they revisit old classrooms, share memories or point out where the spark of their career began. Ambassadors help keep that legacy alive.

“I distinctly remember getting to help with the alumni reunion for the class of 1969,” Ben says. “It was so interesting

 

A Culture of Belonging

“I love the people, community, curriculum and values of this school, which make it an incredible honor to represent the CVM as an ambassador,” Lynsey says.

Ambassadors are the ones who open the door and when they hold it for someone else, it isn’t just a gesture — it’s the beginning of a Wildcat veterinarian story.