University Ambassadors

The Visitor Center is staffed by some of Carolina's most accomplished students, who serve as University Ambassadors. These students lead campus tours and manage the information desk in the lobby of the center. The University Ambassadors are also proud to assist Coach Steve Spurrier recruit for the Gamecock football team. The students are extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the University and are uniquely qualified to offer an insider's perspective on college life to future students. You can even e-mail questions to a University Ambassador.

Learn more about several of our ambassadors and their approach to leading tours.

Rachel Bowman

Rachel is a senior in interdisciplinary studies (pre-med) from San Antonio, Texas. She is a four-year member of the University Ambassadors and is in her second year as president. Rachel was named USC's Outstanding Woman of the Year in 2006, is a McNair Scholar, a Rotary Scholar, a Beckman Scholar, and a member of the USC Dance Team, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Alpha Epsilon Delta PreMed Society.

“I hadn't originally planned to come to Carolina, but once I came here and had the opportunity to go on the tour, my mind changed. As soon as I came to Carolina, I knew this was where I needed to be. It gives me a little bit more of an insight into what out-of-state students are looking for—adjusting to college, meeting people, getting involved on campus.

“On tours we hit the highlights of the Carolina community, visit classrooms and at least one residence hall. We focus on academics, Gamecock pride, and student life.

“I like to say when we start the tour on the Horseshoe, it is representative of where the University started. It kind of fits—we start off with where the University began in 1801, we see how campus has progressed, and we return to McKissick as it now stands. We get to share a lot of history, and it's a high point for students.”

Wright Culpepper

Wright is a senior biology major from St. Simon Island, Ga. He is a McKissick Scholar and a Legacy Scholar from the Carolina Alumni Association. At Carolina, he is involved with the Baptist Collegiate Union, Student Government, and intramural sports, is a past peer mentor, and serves as a Personal Touch volunteer at Palmetto Health Baptist hospital.

“I like to talk a lot about campus spirit. Everyone here really loves the University. It's such a great place to be. We're improving in so many aspects—whether it's academics or having a lot of programs ranked across the board. The other thing I try to stress is the University 101 program. Since it's highly ranked, a lot of schools like Notre Dame, Harvard, Duke, Michigan, and Georgia have tried to model their programs after ours.

“In high school I didn't have to study, but coming here was a rude awakening: You do have to do work in college. I learned my study skills and learned money management and stress management in University 101. One of the things I stress in my tours is college is about time management. I stress taking the University 101 class to learn how to manage your time.”

Kymberly Etheredge

Kymberly is a sophomore pre-business major and Spanish minor from Columbia. She sings in the Chosen Gospel Ensemble, was involved in Freshman Council, helped plan student entertainment events with Carolina Productions, and hopes to join Alpha Phi Omega, a community service fraternity.

“I like that we can be the first face of the University and play such an important part in the admissions choice and students' outlook on the University.

“We have the opportunity to be creative and craft our own tours. We talk about that all the time, how you can make it your own. That's one thing I always say when I give my tours: This is your experience, and you have to craft it and make it your own.

“When I'm on tours, I like to tell my personal story. Someone may walk by and point out the Thomson Student Health Center, but I gave a story about when I was sick my freshman year. I wasn't thousands of miles from home, but I'm an adult and I took care of things on my own at the center. So I can give that personal story and parents like to hear that and students will say, 'I won't be worried about that.'

“At the Visitor Center, we're all about being truthful. We don't embellish. We're not trying to say our University is better than another; we're just trying to highlight the points we know and that other students might like to know.

“People like the history and buildings on the Horseshoe, and the fact that the president lives on campus. They see people playing Frisbee and soccer, sunbathing, having picnics. People like to see other people enjoying the campus, and I think that makes a big difference, seeing actual students enjoying life here.”

David Johannesmeyer

David is a junior from Summerville, S.C., who is majoring in German and biology. He's a distance runner on the men's track team and was named to the Southeastern Conference Honor Roll, is a member of both the German and pre-med honor societies, and is a Carolina Scholar, Lieber Scholar, Palmetto Fellows Scholar, and National Merit Scholar.

“One of the big things I like talking about is the Horseshoe and its history. People find the Horseshoe beautiful, and it draws a lot of people to the school.

“I always stop on Sumter Street and give everyone a view of Williams-Brice Stadium. People are always amazed at the stadium.

“I like to talk about the research opportunities available and how the University is making a strong effort to increase its research capabilities. It's starting the Innovista research district and offers undergraduate research opportunities, which I used last summer to find a research internship at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

“I also like promoting study abroad for students. I went to Germany for the summer and studied the reunification of Germany in Wittenberg, where Martin Luther lived and wrote his 95 Theses.”

Nicole Modeen

Nicole is a senior international studies major from Charlotte, N.C. At Carolina, she has served as pro-tem of the Student Senate, a University 101 peer leader, Housing and Campus Concerns chair, and a Presidential Ambassador, and participated in the Washington Semester study program, where she worked at the Aspen Institute.

“I did so much research and visited so many schools (as a prospective student), I feel like I've done it all and have the best resources and experience to help other students on tours. My tours usually run more toward the 2½-hour limit rather than the two. I just love talking to people about the school. I talk a lot about the professors. I always do a nice long spiel on academics. You should know the most about that, what courses are offered, how flexible it is.”

Megan Robers

Megan is a sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, who hopes to be accepted into the international business program. A McNair Scholarship Finalist, she is also majoring in Spanish and is a member of the varsity cross country team.

"I really felt being an Ambassador was a great way to give back to the University. I'm here on an academic scholarship and felt I needed to give back to those who had given so much to me. Through the Ambassadors organization, I'm able to do that and help get more students to come to the University.

“I like to tell my students that being from out of state, and eight hours from home, I found my niche here at South Carolina, and it's possible for them to do the same thing—no matter how far away from home they are."