While summers in Auburn are always a little quieter than other seasons, involvement on campus stays alive. A group of Involvement Ambassadors (IA) stayed on campus to help incoming first-years and their families discover their path at Auburn before classes began. For Gabriela Comulada, IA President, and Ryan Maddox, IA VP of Administration, summer was filled with Camp War Eagle, introducing new students to involvement opportunities, and preparing them for a strong start to the fall semester.

During the academic year, Involvement Ambassadors meet with students one-on-one and support organizations. In the summer, their focus shifts to outreach at events like the Involvement Browse and Tiger Tabling.

“I frequently answer questions about how to get involved on campus, helping new students feel more confident and connected before classes even begin. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of their first experience at Auburn and to help ease their transition into college life in any way that I can.,” Gabriela said.

Ryan added, “While the format may change, our mission remains constant: helping members of the Auburn family find their people and build meaningful connections during their time on the Plains.”

Gabriela remembered meeting a student with a passion for photography. She was able to connect him with opportunities in student media, athletics, and other creative organizations. “He lit up as I shared these options, and it was such a rewarding moment to see his excitement grow. It reminded me why I love this role as an Involvement Ambassador, helping students feel seen and confident during their time here at Auburn,” she said.

Another aspect of their summer responsibilities is working the front desk of the Student Involvement Office. It is an important job because they could be the first impression that a student or parent has of Student Involvement.

Ryan notes that “Working at the front desk has been a great opportunity to build relationships with the rest of the Involvement staff. Everyone is genuinely kind, supportive, and a joy to work with. These connections also directly benefit students—if someone expresses interest in programs like LEAD Auburn, I can personally connect them with the right people, like Patrick George, the program’s coordinator.”

Summer is also a time for preparing for the First 56 days of the fall semester, including the Involvement Fair on the Campus Green. This event on August 21st brings together around 200 student organizations with free games, food, merch, and opportunities to meet new people. All of the Involvement Ambassadors have been working hard to make sure everything runs smoothly so that students feel welcomed, informed, and excited to get involved right from the start.

The Involvement Ambassadors’ work over the summer helped thousands of new students take their first steps toward finding community at Auburn. Through informative conversations and encouragement, the Involvement Ambassadors made sure the newest Auburn students know how to take their first steps on their new path.