COSTAATT Student Ambassador Programme aids in wholistic development
As part of the COSTAATT initiative to foster a tight-knit sense of community amongst their students, the college makes use of a student ambassador programme. Through this programme, the ambassadors provide support for prospective, new and current students alike. They welcome visitors, share their own experiences and assist future students in finding the right fit.
One of the college’s current ambassadors, Amoy Bruce, credits her experience in the role for fostering further development beyond just academics. Amoy, currently in the final year of a BA in Psychiatric Nursing, said that she feels being a student ambassador has comprehensively prepared her for post-graduation life. “These experiences have cultivated my empathy through navigating personal transitions, enhanced my communication and advocacy skills by bridging gaps between students and staff, and instilled resilience and self-care practices crucial for the demands of psychiatric nursing”. According to Amoy, these real-world experiences mirror those she expects to encounter as a psychiatric nurse upon the completion of her degree.
When asked why she decided to become a student ambassador, Amoy was eager to point out that her background as a transfer student was a major deciding factor. She expressed remorse that she didn’t have anyone to lean on when she first transferred to COSTAATT, saying that it “fostered empathy” in her and made her have a strong desire to extend support to others. “Witnessing the vulnerabilities of new students and recognizing the need for transparent guidance on campus inspired me to assume this role, embody the college’s values, and contribute to a more supportive environment through service.”
In terms of growth, Amoy indicated that the student ambassador role promotes both personal and professional development. “Personally, it has fostered emotional maturity, confidence, and self-awareness by requiring me to balance service with academic responsibilities while practicing boundary setting and self-reflection,” she said. Meanwhile, professionally, she also believes that the experience has directly equipped her for life as a psychiatric nurse through the cultivation of skills such as active listening, de-escalation techniques, respectful advocacy, and the normalization of challenges. “Consequently, it has prepared me to establish therapeutic alliances, collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, and sustain long term compassion without experiencing burnout.”
She urges fellow students, particularly those in helping professions such as nursing, to join the student ambassador programme: “This role cultivates invaluable skills in leadership, empathy, and collaboration that extend far beyond the academic setting, while also enabling individuals to inspire hope and drive positive change”. Furthermore, Amoy stressed that the role facilitates the development of a strong support network, while also providing a sense of purpose.
COSTAATT recognises the importance of having a strong support system for its students that goes beyond just faculty, as many young persons resonate more with advice and support from their own peers. Furthermore, the programme offers wholistic self-improvement benefits that undoubtedly help students leave the college in a much stronger position, as Amoy has proved.
Written by Nicholas Bayley.
