Student admission ambassadors are the face of Colgate University tours, but they don’t run themselves. Katherine Sweeney, assistant dean of admission, is part of the Student Management team within the Office of Admission. There, she oversees the admission ambassador program.
“I serve as the Regional Officer for New England, and I recruit students by traveling to high schools and college fairs talking about Colgate University.” Sweeney said. “I am also responsible for reading applications from New England. Beyond this, I also serve as a member of the Communications team and Student Management team within our office, so I assist with all communications that come from the Admission Office, and have the pleasure of managing our large group of student workers within our office.”
Sweeney began working in the Office of Admission this summer, and most recently added the role of Student Management team co-lead to her repertoire. She is passionate about the important role the ambassadors play on campus.
“First impressions are always important, but especially throughout the college search process. Our admission ambassadors are Colgate’s first impression for visitors. I’m sure any student remembers their tour guide, and for some visitors it may be the reason they decided to come to Colgate,” Sweeney said. “Our Ambassadors are here to welcome each visiting student and family, and help them get a feel for what Colgate University has to offer while they are here — and to make sure they get a chipwich, which is the most important part of the visit!”
While Sweeney is now an indispensable part of admissions, she began her Colgate career as a member of the athletics department. After playing Division One collegiate lacrosse at the University of Albany, Sweeney began working as the Colgate assistant women’s lacrosse coach.
“Both admission work and coaching is about building and fostering relationships, which is something I love to do and something I believe I am good at,” Sweeney said.
She also credited her positive experiences collaborating with the Office of Admission during her coaching years as foundational for her new career shift.
“I was drawn to the admission department actually through my work in athletics,” Sweeney explained. “They were always such a pleasure to work with, and as a coach I always felt supported by our admission department, especially Gary [Ross] and Sue [Dolly Lathrop]. When I saw that they had an opening within their department, I thought it would be a relatively manageable transition from coaching, and one that I would enjoy.”
Working for Colgate has given Sweeney more than just a job. Like many of the individuals who move to the area and work at Colgate, Sweeney has found a home in Hamilton, N.Y.
“Spending the last five years here at Colgate, I have really built a life in Hamilton. I met my fiancé here and built a house, so Hamilton has truly become home for us,” Sweeney said.
