DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College announced the selection of 17 students who will serve as student ambassadors on campus and in social media and will feature in the College’s promotional efforts. The students, known as All Star Jaguars, were selected through an application and interview/Casting Call process during the early weeks of the semester.
The students represent diverse backgrounds, academic programs, and life situations but have an enthusiasm for DACC in common. Each team member brings a unique perspective to the student experience.
The DACC All Star Jaguars program is a pilot program designed to reward and encourage student engagement. The students sign a contract and agree to serve for the remainder of fall and the entire spring semester. In return for their service as Ambassadors, the All Stars receive a tuition discount for each of the two semesters they serve and some College gear.
The students chosen for 2021-2022 are
· Carla Bastida, a basketball player and international student from Spain
· Laura Duncan, current DACC Student Trustee, a graduate of Schlarman Academy
· Jalon Glover, graduate of Schlarman Academy and part-time student
· Alexia Ham, a softball player from Beech Grove, Indiana
· Carey Heatherly, a psychology major, E-sports athlete, and DJ
· Tamara Jimson, a part-time student returning as an adult with a disability, studying Early Childhood Development
· Autumn Lange, a first-year Presidential Scholar from Salt Fork High School majoring in Business Administration
· Hunter Lange, a second-year Presidential Scholar from Westville High School majoring in Nursing
· Makayla Learned, a Freshmen from Armstrong Township High School who plans to go to Vet school and is currently the FFA Section 18 President
· Sydney Long, a Hoopeston Area High School graduate majoring in Surgical Tech
· Savanah Mattingly, a softball player from Evansville, Indiana majoring in Health Science
· Jenesis Maynard, a Danville High School graduate majoring in Criminal Justice
· Raven Morrison, a softball player from Mattoon, Illinois majoring in Education
· Brianna Phebus, who is taking all her classes online so she can be a stay-at-home mom to two young children
· Sydney Scholz, also a young mother who is in the DACC Nursing program
· Danielle Shuey, a softball player from Bloomington, Illinois majoring in Finance
· Mikayla Williams, a Danville High School graduate who is majoring in Psychology and pursuing a Bachelor’s degree through the Franklin University/DACC 3 + 1 partnership
“These students represent a cross section of the entire DACC student body,” said Lara Conklin, Executive Director of College Relations and Chair of the All Star Care Team. “They are enthusiastic, bright, and ready to represent their class on social media and on campus. They even plan to visit area high schools with our Recruiter, Alexis Simmons, another member of the Care Team.
Members of the Care Team tasked with helping and promoting the All Stars, , in addition to Conklin and Simmons, are
· Chris Cornell, Marketing Specialist
· Jung Ae Merrick, Web Technician
· Keith Miller, Video Production
· Dawn Nasser, Academic Advisor & Campus & Community Resources
· JR Scruggs, Jr., Coordinator of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The students kicked off their duties with an orientation dinner and photo shoot. Young mom Brianna brought along her 6-month old son, Zack. “He’s a future All Star!” she proclaimed.
Photo: Left to Right
Back Row: Sydney Scholz, Sydney Long, Carey Heatherly, Autumn Lange, Makayla Learned, Carla Bastida, Savanah Mattingly, Brianna Phebus (and Zack), Hunter Lange, Mikayla Williams
Front Row: Alexia Ham, Laura Duncan, Raven Morrison, Tamara Jimson, Jalon Glover, Danielle Shuey, and Jenesis Maynard
