From Rural to Urban Utah, Graduating Statewide Ambassadors Leave Their Mark

LOGAN, Utah — In 2023, Utah State University expanded its Ambassador Program to include multiple Statewide Campuses, in addition to the program already being established at its residential campuses in Logan, Price and Blanding.

The goal of the Statewide Student Ambassador program, launched and overseen by Vanessa Liesik, director of recruitment and engagement for Statewide Campuses, is to create a unified ambassador program that reflects the unique experiences of non-residential and regional students while strengthening recruitment, outreach and engagement efforts across the state.

“Our program has significantly strengthened Statewide Campus recruitment by allowing prospective students to hear directly from students who are living the statewide experience,” Liesik said. “Ambassadors help demystify college, share multiple pathways to USU, and build trust in their respective communities”

The Ambassador Program, which was established at USU in 1983, brings together driven students from all USU campuses, empowering them to serve as representatives of the university while building leadership skills, professional development, educational and service opportunities, peer-to-peer outreach, and a deep sense of purpose. Students actively participating in the program also receive a scholarship that can be renewed annually.

“Becoming a student ambassador is an incredible opportunity to grow your leadership skills, build confidence, and make a real impact on prospective students’ experiences at USU,” said Shari McGarry, admissions specialist and ambassador advisor for the USU Wasatch Region.

Statewide ambassadors are chosen from students who apply. Often at Statewide Campuses, this includes post-traditional students who want to make an impact and gain the benefits of mentorship and networking opportunities. These students have the chance to connect with prospective students, families and communities.

“The personal journeys of the two ambassadors I advise provide real-world examples of how USU accommodates and supports post-traditional students, making the university's opportunities feel more accessible and achievable to those who might otherwise hesitate to pursue higher education,” said Hailey Rogers, the ambassador advisor for the USU Southwest Region.

New ambassadors are selected each spring. USU is looking for students who are involved in school and community leadership, are self-motivated, and have a passion for Utah State. Applications for the Ambassador program are now open and will close on March 6. To learn more about the program and to apply, visit usu.edu/admissions/scholarships/ambassador.

As several ambassadors prepare to graduate in the coming months, their stories reflect USU’s statewide mission of bridging urban and rural communities with world-class learning, discovery and service. These students have balanced coursework, leadership roles and personal challenges while serving their communities.

The following features six graduating USU ambassadors from various Statewide Campuses. Their individual journeys embody resilience, determination and USU’s commitment to students and communities.

Teagen Lint: Finding Community Leadership and Education

For Teagen Lint, Utah State University was not just a place to earn a degree — it became the foundation for discovering her voice, writing her own story, facing fears and pursuing passions.

A native of Tooele, Lint completed her degree requirements during the fall 2025 semester and will graduate from USU Tooele with a degree in Integrated Studies, concentrating in Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her academic focus reflects a deeply held belief that caring for the land is inseparable from caring for people.

“To me, this degree gives me the opportunity to build community with the land and with people,” she said. “I have the opportunity to be an advocate for the small populations of agriculturists, natural resource managers and many other small but vastly important fields.”

Lint’s journey to USU began unexpectedly, shaped by a housing shortage that redirected her plans. What followed was an unconventional college experience marked by determination and adaptability. Through roles as a classroom facilitator, undergraduate researcher and Statewide Ambassador, Teagan found mentors who challenged and supported her, helping her push past fear, self-doubt and stereotypes often faced by women in male-dominated fields.

“I had incredible mentors during my time in all of these roles,” Lint said. “Individuals who rooted for my success brushed me off when I stumbled, supported my aspirations and pushed me to be my best.”

Serving nearly two years as a Statewide Ambassador, Lint found community. The program provided a network of peers and mentors who became a second family, strengthening her confidence and sense of belonging while allowing her to make a tangible difference for students in her community. She said the opportunity to attend an institution like USU right in her hometown was a gamechanger, and becoming an ambassador was literally lifechanging.

“Education is something everyone should have access to, and USU is making sure that higher education is accessible to almost everyone who pursues a degree with them,” she said. “I didn't let my lack of a traditional college experience define my path. Apply to be an ambassador and take advantage of all the opportunities the program offers.”

Lint plans on pursuing work as an USU Extension county agent while continuing her education.

Savannah Wendelboe: There are Multiple Paths to a Degree

For Savannah Wendelboe, becoming an educator has always been about inspiring students to learn.

Originally from Taylorsville, Wendelboe completed her degree requirements during the fall 2025 semester and will graduate from USU Salt Lake with a degree in Elementary Education.

Wendelboe chose USU’s Statewide Campus model for its flexibility, which allowed her to work in a school while completing her degree. With online and hybrid options, USU made higher education accessible without requiring her to put professional experience on hold.

“Statewide brought college to me so that I could work and save up while getting my bachelor's,” she said. “There are options to personalize your college experience and get what you want out of it.”

Throughout her journey, she found consistent support from faculty and advisors who helped tailor her coursework to fit both her academic and personal needs.

Serving three years as a Statewide Ambassador added another layer of growth. While the scholarship initially drew her to the program, Wendelboe quickly discovered its broader impact. Ambassador work strengthened her leadership skills, pushed her outside her comfort zone and gave her valuable opportunities to visit high schools — experiences that directly complemented her future career as an educator. She said the best part about being an ambassador was the chance to show prospective students that college is not one-size-fits-all and that there are multiple paths to get a college degree.

Wendelboe already has a job offer to work in the Granite School District.

“I'm getting the opportunity to put my degree to work before the ink's even dry,” she said.

Adam Hegemann: Bridging Passion, Science and Service Across Campuses

Adam Hegemann’s journey at USU reflects both adaptability and purpose.

Originally a Logan-based student and ambassador, Hegemann completed his final semester at USU Kaysville after relocating closer to Salt Lake City — allowing him and his wife to pursue their education side-by-side. He completed his requirements for graduation in the fall 2025 semester and will graduate from USU Kaysville with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, emphasizing exercise science.

Fascinated by how the human body works, Hegemann was drawn to kinesiology for its exploration of movement, performance and cause-and-effect relationships that exist in the body. As an athlete, his studies deepened his understanding of training and recovery while preparing him to help others reach their health and wellness goals.

Transitioning to a statewide campus during a major life change reinforced Hegemann’s appreciation for the flexibility offered by Statewide Campuses. Having access to nearby classes and online options was essential — not just academically, but financially — as he and his wife balanced tuition, rent and daily expenses. While he missed on-campus life in Logan, he was happy that the Kaysville campus offered several student and community events.

“Luckily my statewide campus held events that allowed me to still be social and make connections with individuals around me,” he said. “Of course, no school is perfect, but USU comes pretty close. I have loved my experience attending a statewide campus.”

As a student ambassador in both Logan and Kaysville, Hegemann carried the same mission wherever he served: helping individuals find pathways to reach their dreams. The role allowed him to connect with post-traditional students, build leadership skills and form meaningful relationships across campuses and communities.

Hegemann plans to attend medical school beginning in Fall 2027, with aspirations of becoming an advanced endoscopic gastroenterologist.

Whitney McKay: Living and Telling the Statewide Experience

Whitney McKay is set to graduate in summer 2026 with a degree in marketing and plans to pursue an MBA before entering law school.

She and her family made sacrifices to support her return to school, and attending USU Ephraim provided the opportunity she needed.

“Ephraim is close to home. I'm able to attend school full-time without relocating my two boys.” she said. “USU has the best faculty and staff. From the moment I was admitted, I have felt a sense of belonging in the Aggie family.”

McKay initially felt uncertain about what the Ambassador program would offer, but she soon found that it enriched her college experience through opportunities such as attending Aggie football games in Logan and connecting with fellow students across the state.

As a second-generation Aggie, McKay holds Utah State in high regard for the quality education she received and the lifelong friendships she formed — an experience she shares with prospective students considering USU.

“You will gain connections that will help foster a brighter future and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Trent Stephensen: Finding Opportunity—and Community—Close to Home

For Trent Stephensen, pursuing an accounting degree was both a practical decision and a passion-driven one. Drawn to accounting for its analytical nature and wide-ranging career opportunities, Stephensen gets excited by the behind-the-scenes insight accounting provides into how businesses operate.

A native of Nephi and transfer student from Snow College, Stephensen will graduate in Spring 2026 from USU Nephi with a bachelor’s degree in accounting — armed with technical expertise and professional experience.

Studying at USU Nephi allowed Stephensen to remain in his hometown while accessing hands-on opportunities that extended far beyond the classroom, including roles as a classroom facilitator and a Statewide Ambassador.

“USU provides numerous opportunities for you to learn and grow, both professionally and personally,” he said.

Throughout his time at USU, Stephensen credits faculty and staff for playing a critical role in his success. Support from advisors and student services led to a meaningful summer internship with Juab School District, where he worked alongside a CPA and gained real-world experience in governmental accounting. The internship allowed him to apply classroom knowledge while developing professional confidence — an experience that helped bridge the gap between learning and experience.

As a Statewide Ambassador, Stephensen found one of the most rewarding aspects of the program to be its people. From building strong relationships with fellow ambassadors to helping prospective students discover educational opportunities in their own communities, the program pushed him to grow socially, professionally, and as a leader.

“It's the people you meet along the way that make the Ambassador program special,” he said. “I have so many great memories and connections that I'll never forget.”

Stephensen plans to begin an accounting internship in Orem, with hopes of transitioning into a full-time role upon completion.

Ally Robertson: Carrying a Legacy of Education Forward

For Ally Robertson, attending Utah State University Eastern was never just a personal decision — it was a continuation of a family legacy rooted in the belief that education changes lives.

A native of Helper, Utah, Robertson will graduate in Spring 2026 with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.

“Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to go to USU Eastern,” she said. “Most of my family attended as well and I wanted to continue our legacy.”

Robertson’s academic journey was anything but linear. During her first two semesters, she changed her major nine times. But during her sophomore year, she realized she loved writing and found her calling when she joined the USU Eastern newspaper.

Her connection to USU Eastern runs deep: generations of her family have attended the institution, and her third great uncle, Frank Bonacci — an Italian immigrant who never received a formal education — helped write the legislation that opened Carbon College, now USU Eastern. His dream was simple but powerful: to create opportunities through education.

“I’m extremely honored and grateful that I get to gain an education that he would have wanted me and so many others to have,” she said.

While her journey has had many obstacles and changes, Robertson credits so many people at USU Eastern with helping her find her path and encouraging her growth.

“Everyone that I have interacted with at USU Eastern and at all locations have had one simple goal: they want me to be successful,” she said. “They have done everything and anything in their power to help me achieve my goals.”

During her four years as a student ambassador, Robertson found more than leadership experience — she found family. The program strengthened her professionalism, communication skills, and confidence while allowing her to serve students from rural communities who, like her, wanted to stay close to home.

“The Ambassador program has truly changed my life,” she said. “I’ve been given so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Robertson plans to remain in Carbon County and hopes to continue serving her community through a role at the university.

Utah State University’s Statewide Campuses create impact by bettering the lives of the people and places they serve. From career and technical certificates to doctorate degrees, USU offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. With multiple locations across 85,000 square miles, USU can be the hometown university to anyone, no matter where they live. Learn more at statewide.usu.edu.