Student Ambassadors Humanize the MBA Program at the Hankamer School of Business

Student Ambassadors are key to promoting the Full-Time MBA program at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business (HSB). As Student Ambassadors increase awareness of the Business School and the degree programs offered, and generate excitement about the opportunities, prospective students obtain greater insight into student and academic life.  

“An MBA Student Ambassador is a hand-selected MBA candidate who serves as a face of the program, engages prospective students and represents the University at events,” said Student Ambassador Layne Pyle, BA ’24, one of the MBA program’s 17 Student Ambassadors. 

Being Selected Can be Unexpected

Robert Ren, BS ’24, social director for the Graduate Business Association, said a sociable personality is the key to success in the role of a Student Ambassador. 

“Student Ambassadors must be friendly and willing to make connections,” Ren said. “I’m the social director for the Graduate Business Association and a social person all around.” 

Ren, a Management Information Systems major, and Pyle, a Corporate Communications major, tell the same story of becoming Student Ambassadors: There isn’t an application process. 

“One day I got an email,” both said. 

That email invited them to be Student Ambassadors for the next school year. While both students were surprised at the invitation, Baylor deans and faculty were watching behind the scenes for students who embody the mission of HSB and Baylor as a whole to make their next selection of Student Ambassadors. Ren’s and Pyle’s campus involvement played an integral part in catching the faculty's attention. 

Pyle had previously played the role of Marigold – one of the University’s mascots – for two years as an undergrad. She was drawn to communications because of its impact on the business world. 

“My undergrad degree gave me a strong foundation in messaging, branding and audience engagement,” she said. 

But an MBA is not only for people with a business degree. Because of emphases on decision-making, strategy and leadership principles, an MBA from Baylor can enhance any career.   

“Baylor University was my dream school,” Pyle said. “That dream was born on a freezing night at a Baylor football game. My dad and I braved the snow and bitter wind, but what stood out to me wasn’t just the game – it was the Baylor community I witnessed.”

Ren chose Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business over the University of Washington’s business school. He, too, said Baylor’s culture made a difference in his choice of an MBA program. An international student, Ren came to the United States in 2015 to attend high school before attending Baylor for his undergraduate degree. When it came time for grad school, the decision was easy. 

“As a graduate, I was more familiar with Baylor, but talking about the Business School with the faculty and staff sealed the deal for me,” he said.  

Ambassadors to Prospective Students  

The role of Student Ambassadors is multi-faceted. 

“One part of our job is to help prospective students see the value in grad school rather than going straight into the workforce,” Pyle said.

This early career decision can be crucial to future opportunities since it concerns mobility, employability, and earnings potential. 

Other responsibilities include “promoting the program, answering questions for prospective and incoming students, and spending the entirety of Done in a Day with them,” Ren said.  

Done in a Day is an event sponsored by the Business School and hosted at the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. Prospective students go through the entire application in a single day on campus. 

“They get to tour Baylor’s campus, shadow an MBA class and complete their in-person interview,” Pyle said. 

A scholarship-package offer is also part of the event. Attendees who submit a completed application with all required supporting documents receive an admission and scholarship decision within 24 hours. 

Done in a Day is preceded by Dr Pepper Hour, a signature Baylor tradition and opportunity for Ambassadors to connect with attendees. Ren said it’s a good opportunity for out-of-state prospective students to get general information that isn’t directly related to the academic program. Questions like “What’s Waco like?” are common during the Dr Pepper Hour.  

The official duties of a Student Ambassador are not overly time-consuming; the biggest events are in the Spring and Fall. 

“Other time requirements include answering questions and being available to students,” Ren said. “One student contacted me for a referral when he needed new housing.” 

Giving advice to MBA students about the program is also among unofficial Student Ambassador duties.  

Serving as Student Ambassadors for potential students means making contact outside Done in a Day and other program-specific events. Call Nights for prospective students who completed an application but never submitted it, and Roll Calls via Zoom are other means of contacting those who are considering the Business School for their MBA.  

An MBA Program for Any Career Point 

“Baylor’s MBA program is unique because it offers multiple pathways to earning an advanced degree,” Pyle said. 

The Full-time MBA is one of several options offered by the Business School. The Executive MBA (EMBA) and the Online MBA (OMBA) are offered, as is the Dual Degree track, which Ren is pursuing.    

“I’m currently pursuing an MBA and a Master of Science in Information Systems with a Cybersecurity concentration,” Ren said. “The Information Systems track blends computers, technology, and business – all interests of mine – which is why I chose it as my field of study.” 

MBA degree programs at the Business School are not only for those early in their career. Both the OMBA and the EMBA are for working professionals looking to change careers, whether across industries or into self-employment, or for better advancement opportunities in one’s current career. And, with top-ranked companies recruiting from MBA programs, an HSB degree can open more doors than mass-applying to online job boards. 

Ren encourages prospective students not to be afraid to reach out.

“Use us as a resource to gain knowledge about the Full-Time MBA program,” he said. “We are here to help. Every Student Ambassador is eager to assist.” 

About Baylor’s Full-Time MBA Program 

Baylor’s Full-Time MBA is designed to build your business acumen so you can take your career to the next level. You can earn an MBA in five programs with six concentrations. Choose an Early-Career MBA, the Core MBA Degree Plan, a Healthcare MBA, or one of seven Dual Degree programs. Click here for more information about Baylor's Full-Time MBA Program.  

What’s Next? 

Click here to fill out a form to speak to our Enrollment Coordinators.