Owen Edwards
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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As an extrovert with experience in recruiting, I believe I would be good at connecting with potential students and would enjoy doing it. I love meeting new people and feel I can find common ground with anyone.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
I chose the MSBA program because I came for a campus tour and immediately wanted to be part of the culture and environment. Everyone was very friendly, and I felt I could thrive in the positive and collaborative environment I was experiencing.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
I believe being friendly, genuinely interested in, and attentive to prospective students is a great way to make them feel welcome. I think showing them around campus and introducing them to some of the students, faculty, and staff are great ways to engage with prospective students.
Addison Paradise
Email
City: Charlotte, NC
Undergraduate School:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Major/Minor:
Business Analytics, Minor: International Business
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I am interested in being an Ambassador because I love sharing my own personal experience with other people and talking about my time within the MSBA program so far. I have a super outgoing personality and genuinely enjoy meeting new people, hearing their stories, sharing mine, and making them feel welcome which is another main reason I would love to connect to potential new students.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
Originally I knew I wanted to be closer to home as I was at an out of state undergraduate school. I majored in Business Analytics and I knew Wake has one of the best programs so I was excited to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
Maybe using social media and doing a day in the life, hosting informal question and answers so they do not go into it stressed but more curious.
Emily Bradley
Email
City: Poquoson, VA
Undergraduate School:
Washington and Lee University
Major/Minor:
Major: Chemistry; Minor: Data Science
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I’m interested in becoming an Admissions Ambassador because I know firsthand how much hearing from current students can shape a decision about where to spend a year of your life. Faculty and staff perspectives matter, but student perspectives are often what make or break a program in a prospective student’s mind. I’ve had nothing but good experiences in the program so far, and I’d love the chance to share them with prospective students and help guide their decision as they choose a graduate program.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
I chose the Master of Science in Business Analytics program because I wanted to build a business foundation that would complement my existing skill set. My chemistry major gave me a background in complex problem-solving and scientific rigor, while my data science minor gave me the analytical skills to work with data. This program is the next step in connecting those two skill sets in a way that’s both meaningful and marketable.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
What drew me to Wake Forest most was talking with current students and hearing how the program fostered both academic growth and a genuine sense of community. That’s a key part of Wake Forest that prospective students need to hear about. The business programs have the stats and reviews to back up their strong reputations, but it’s the actual community built within each cohort that will be the deciding factor for students weighing their options. Honest, open conversations are the best way to engage with prospective students.
Leah Fisher
Email
City: Winston-Salem, NC
Undergraduate School:
UNC Chapel Hill
Major/Minor:
Economics and Entrepreneurship
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I grew up in Winston-Salem (with two older siblings that went to Wake!) and have always loved Wake Forest and have been so happy to be able to come back and complete the MSBA program here after coming from a large state school like UNC. The program is incredible and there are so many wonderful things to say, and I would love the opportunity to be able to talk with potential new students and answer any questions they may have about the WFU, the cirriculum, Winston-Salem, etc.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
I wanted to develop technical and analytical skills that I didn’t focus on during my undergraduate experience. I had heard many great things about the MSBA program and wanted to experience that. Also, given the current job market, it was also a move out of necessity but also desire to continue to learn and develop my personal and career goals!
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
Over coffee, a walk around campus, lunch in the Pit, sitting in the chairs on the patio outside of Farrell. I would love to learn more about why they’re interested in the program and if I can offer them any advice or answer any questions they might have.
Adan Urizar
Email
City: Rome, GA
Undergraduate School:
Georgia Highlands College
Major/Minor:
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I am interested because I would like to help future students understand and know more about Wake Forest or the MSBA program. I’ll try my best to help guide them to success.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
I would like to further improve my analytical skills and use data to describe problems.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
Sending emails, taking students out to eat, communicating with them often, doing a small event
Jordan Riggs
Email
City: Hollywood, MD
Undergraduate School:
NC A&T State University
Major/Minor:
Electrical Engineering
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I want to be an Admissions Ambassador is the MSBA program. The fact that I could do it in 10 months, with no prerequisite required, was huge for me. Other master’s programs were asking for two-plus years, and that just wasn’t realistic for where I was at. Wake Forest met me where I was, and I want other students to know that path exists for them too.
Mentorship is just something I already do. I’ve got two mentees right now who come to me for guidance, and I really care about them, not just as a checkbox but as people I want to see succeed. That’s exactly what I’d bring to this role. I want to get to know the students I’m talking to and help them picture their own future here.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
I chose the MSBA program because of how welcoming Janasi Rawlings to what wake was and the opportunities it could bring.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
Doing visits at there school, Sharing our own honest experience, engage in tough conversations and introduce them to other students.
Kirstin Palasz
Email
City: Winnetka, IL
Undergraduate School:
Wake Forest University
Major/Minor:
Business and Enterprise Management / Psychology
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I have loved my time at Wake Forest, first as an undergraduate and now as a graduate student, and I want to help prospective students see why it’s worth choosing. In my experience, the clearest picture of a school comes from the people who live it every day. Rankings and brochures can only say so much, but an honest conversation with a current student can answer the questions that really shape someone’s decision.
Because I have experienced Wake Forest both as an undergraduate and now in the MSBA program, I can speak to the full arc of the journey, from first choosing the university to pursuing a specialized graduate degree here. I know the business school well, from its coursework and faculty to its community and the opportunities it offers, and I love sharing that with people trying to decide where they belong. Serving as an Admissions Ambassador would let me play a part in a decision that matters a great deal to me, and I would take the role seriously.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
My decision to pursue the MSBA grew directly out of my own experience at Wake Forest. I loved my time here as an undergraduate, so when I started thinking about my next step, continuing where I already believed in felt natural. I knew how amazing the resources, faculty, and community were at Wake. What made the choice clear, though, was the job search. As I applied for the roles I was most excited about, I kept running into the same gap: I had the drive and the business foundation, but not yet the technical, data-driven skills those positions called for. The MSBA was the answer to that gap. I knew the program would give me a real edge, building the analytical and technical skills employers are looking for while deepening the business perspective I developed as an undergraduate. Choosing to stay at Wake Forest meant investing in a community I trust to prepare me for exactly the kind of career I want to build.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
I think the most effective approach is giving prospective students several ways to connect, so they can reach out in whatever way feels most comfortable. Offering text and email keeps things low-pressure and lets people ask the small questions they might hesitate to raise in a formal setting. At the same time, in-person conversations are where the program really comes to life, whether that is grabbing coffee, sitting in on a class, or walking someone through what a typical week actually looks like.
Beyond the channel itself, I think the key is matching prospective students with current students who share their background or goals. When I was applying, I appreciated talking to someone who did Wake undergrad so I could directly compare our experiences. Being able to say “I was where you are, and here is how the program got me ready” is far more reassuring than any brochure. I would also want to stay in touch throughout their decision-making process, so it feels less like a one-time Q&A and more like a real connection at the school.
Levi Whitener
Email
City: Clemmons, NC
Undergraduate School:
NC State University
Major/Minor:
Statistics; Business Administration/Computer Programming
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I want to become an Admissions Ambassador to give back to the Wake Forest community while offering a distinct, well-rounded perspective to prospective students. Although I did not attend Wake for undergrad, I grew up around the campus with parents working here and siblings attending. That familiarity with the university, along with starting the MSBA program from an outside undergraduate institution, gives me a unique vantage point. I’d love the opportunity to share that balance of inside knowledge and current student experience to help prospective MSBAs feel confident and welcomed in their decision.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
With my parents working at the university and my siblings attending, I grew up around the campus culture and developed an early appreciation for the community. Joining the MSBA program felt like a natural continuation of that connection and fulfilling a bit of family tradition, but on my own terms as a graduate student. Beyond the personal ties, the decision came down to the caliber of the program itself. The Wake Forest MSBA offers a curriculum that blends analytics with business application, all supported by a tight-knit faculty and strong career outcomes.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
To engage prospective students, we could host casual virtual drop-in sessions where they can ask questions about the daily workload, balancing classes with the job search, and what everyday life in the program is actually like. For in-person visits, pairing students with an ambassador who shares a similar background to make the class visit and lunch conversation much more relevant. Beyond that, offering quick tips on living in Winston-Salem and sending follow-up emails letting them know they can ask us anything they might feel hesitant to ask staff directly would help them feel comfortable and supported throughout the decision process.
Esteban Cifuentes Coyoy
Email
City: Sterling, VA
Undergraduate School:
Wake Forest University
Major/Minor:
Engineering – Concentration in Civil & Environmental
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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A big part of my coming here was hearing testimonies from current students. I had gone to an event while in undergrad where I had the chance to hear current students speak about their experience with the program. As a double deac, I think that I offer a new perspective on WFU as a whole and its culture and values that the school holds. Especially coming from an undergrad where I was never in the business school, I am able to speak to the school as a whole. However, now after spending a summer session in the business school, I think that I have a good grasp on it as well.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
Coming from a STEM background, I thought that MSBA would be the perfect extension from building on my technical skills and a good gateway into business. I loved my time at WFU during undergrad so staying here for grad school was a natural next step.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
Have day-in-the-life videos and short articles students can make. I think I was more interested in daily life over the courses itself when I was looking.
Brinda Laddha
Email
India
Undergraduate School:
Wake Forest University
Major/Minor:
Statistics with a Marketing minor
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I think my experience as a double deac and an international student will benefit a prospective student applying.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
I want to break into consulting
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
Coffee chats, reach out via LinkedIn, career fairs
Caroline Wales
Email
City: Marblehead, MA
Major/Minor:
Major: Computer Science; Minor: Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies minor
Why are you interested in becoming a Graduate Admissions Ambassador?
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I love talking about Wake Forest, whether it’s sharing what makes the campus special or helping someone else picture themselves here. Looking back, I actually regret not becoming a tour guide when I had the chance during undergrad, and being an Admissions Ambassador feels like a way to finally take on that role I passed up. I enjoy being the kind of person who can give prospective students and families honest, useful information, not just a rehearsed pitch. Further, when I was applying, the Ambassadors I spoke with were all men, and I’d love to be a voice that shows prospective students the range of people who make up the Wake Forest community.
Why did you choose to pursue the MSM / MSBA / MSA at Wake Forest?
Coming out of undergrad, I knew traditional CS paths like software engineering or cybersecurity weren’t right for me. At the same time, I’ve always been fascinated by data. The MSBA program at Wake Forest felt like a natural next step, building on the technical foundation I already had while shifting toward the side of data that interested me most.
Please share any ideas you may have about how to engage with prospective students:
I think walks around campus with prospective students could be really fun, simultaneously showing them everything Wake has to offer while also answering questions.
