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RPTA STUDENTS REPRESENT CAL POLY AS CAMPUS AMBASSADORS

By Kalli Sandberg (RPTA '13), Staff Writer

Have you ever noticed a group of prospective students or alumni being led across campus by a student in a green shirt? Sure you have! But, did you know the title for those green-shirted students? They are Poly Reps, the official Cal Poly Campus Ambassadors and one of the most prestigious positions on campus. The Recreation Parks and Tourism Administration (RPTA) department is currently home to five Poly Reps. These students are: Alicia Carney ('11), Alexis Bradfield ('12), Nick Taylor ('13), Kelly Rowse ('13), and Kalli Sandberg ('13).


The five students are proud to represent Cal Poly, which is no surprise given the orientation towards service and community-building exhibited by most RPTA students. The students who serve as Poly Reps attribute part of their success to the lessons and skills learned in RPTA. Rowse expressed her pride in being in a department that not only teaches her to be a contributing member of society but how to do so successfully. Being personable obviously helps when giving tours, working with admissions, and connecting with the alumni, but not all students are naturally gifted in this realm. Carney addressed this element in stating, "I really attribute our major's emphasis on group interaction, team building, and collaborative projects to my acceptance into Poly Reps in March 2010. Being an RPTA major brought me out of my shell and showed me how to effectively communicate with all different types of people, one class at a time. Being a Tourism Planning & Management concentration, I absolutely love sharing Cal Poly with prospective students and parents, and promoting the incredible programs we have to offer."

As a Poly Rep myself, I applied to be a Poly Rep last winter quarter and I don't think that I would have been as ready or confident for the application/interview process if I hadn't been a part of the RPTA department. I used knowledge from my classes during the nerve-wracking interviews and now thrive when giving all the anxious and excited prospective students their campus tours. Whenever I mention my major I get students and parents who look perplexed by how a student can have the opportunity to major in something so applicable and fun.

Together, Poly Reps and RPTA help prepare students for the real world. Cal Poly RPTA department is proud to be so well represented within Poly Reps and hopes that the tradition continues. Applications are currently available online at: https://polyreps.calpoly.edu/. If you would like to serve the campus, prospective students and alumni, apply to be a Poly Rep!

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