On campuses throughout the nation, student engagement with peers and participation in student organizations are recognized as essential to fully embracing the college experience. Engagement fosters students’ connectedness as valued and respected members of a community — which, in turn, nurtures positive experiences across academics, social engagement, mental health and more.
Emory offers many opportunities for students to engage, build community and find their footing throughout their college years. Student Involvement, Leadership, and Transitions (SILT), as the name suggests, empowers students by helping facilitate the process.
“SILT plans and hosts a variety of programs each year to create opportunities for students to get involved and cultivate their leadership skills,” says Kayla Best, assistant director for student organizations and governance with SILT, a part of Campus Life. “But no single program offers more opportunities in one place for students to engage than our Student Involvement Fair.”
SILT hosts the Student Involvement Fair early each fall and spring as students settle into the rhythm of the semester. The fall 2025 event attracted thousands of students and featured many of Emory’s more than 300 undergraduate recognized student organizations as well as a range of university departments. The fair offered a wealth of engagement information, provided snacks and featured performances by participating student organizations.
SILT’s Student Involvement Ambassadors (SIAs) play a central role in planning and hosting the fair. Formerly known as the Student Training, Engagement, and Education Resource (STEER) Team, SIAs are 12 trained student assistants who help plan, develop and host the fairs and other SILT-supported events throughout the year.
“Whether students are interested in joining a club, finding their community or just enjoying the fun, the Involvement Fair is their ticket to engagement at Emory,” says Best, adding that the fair is one of many SILT initiatives.
Supporting students is the priority
The primary responsibilities of SIAs include assisting with digital communications to the student body, guiding student organizations, conducting one-on-one meetings with students and leading a range of projects that inform students about university-provided resources (such as event planning support and connections to departments that may have engagement opportunities).
“As SIAs, we’re passionate about helping students feel connected to the wider Emory community and find involvement opportunities that are truly fulfilling to them,” says Lauren Wald, who began her Emory experience at Oxford College and is now a third-year student on the Atlanta campus majoring in psychology and neuroethics. “We work together as a team to create engaging, enjoyable and informative experiences for the Emory student body.”
SIAs offer peer consultation in several areas. Involvement consultations, for example, assist students in identifying opportunities to engage with student organizations and programs. Another area, leadership skills assessment, helps students evaluate their leadership skills and create a plan for development. SIAs also conduct chartering consultations for students interested in starting a new student organization on campus.
“As they support their peers, our Student Involvement Ambassadors cultivate their own skills,” Best says. “We host an annual two-day training retreat for our SIAs and give them a lot of ongoing coaching, especially when it comes to their consultations with other students.”
Camryn Collins, a third-year student with a film and media major and business minor, agrees. “This role has given me valuable experience in consultations, event planning and leadership. I’ve especially gained skills in conflict resolution and organization,” she says. “Wherever the future takes me, I’ll be able to draw on the lessons I’ve learned as an SIA.”
According to Best, students become Student Involvement Ambassadors because they are successfully navigating their own journeys, and they’re eager to help others do the same.
As an SIA, Collins has a message for undergraduates. “It’s important for students to know that SIAs are students too, and we understand the challenges of college life firsthand,” she says. “Our work goes way beyond supporting club leaders. We’re here to help all students make the most of their Emory experience.”