Inside Cater Hall: Meet the Honors Student Associates and Honors Ambassadors

Cater Hall is home to the Auburn University Honors College, but it is the students and staff inside who bring the historic space to life. As visitors walk through the doors of Cater, their first encounter is usually with two types of student workers: associates, who staff the front desk, and ambassadors, who speak with prospective students about their Honors College experience.

These Honors students come from cities across the country and represent a wide range of majors, bringing distinct perspectives to their work. As associates and ambassadors, they draw on their own Honors experiences to enrich and strengthen the broader Honors community.

Beyond the front desk

Student associates are often the first faces guests encounter, but their work extends far beyond the front desk. While they support day-to-day operations, these positions are also designed to help associates grow professionally. Skills are developed gradually as responsibilities expand, including answering questions, directing students to specific offices, managing office needs and supporting the college’s internal functions.

The student associate team is known for its reliability and impact. The current group “is outstanding and has put together some great resources for other students,” said Emily Prim, Honors academic advisor and student associate supervisor, reflecting on the vital role associates play within the college.

Peer mentoring is a central component of the associate role. Associates are trained to help fellow Honors students navigate academic expectations, locate resources and feel more connected to the community. This peer support strengthens the student experience from within and adds an important layer of guidance and care.

“Working here has been a really good outlet for me,” said sophomore Haley Ward, an Honors student associate who is double majoring in finance and apparel merchandising. “Meeting people who I would normally not cross paths with has been really special.” 

More than just tours

Just steps away, Honors ambassadors work in tandem with associates. While associates focus on supporting current students, ambassadors guide prospective students as they begin imagining their future in Auburn’s Honors College. These conversations often shape first impressions, and those moments matter.

When discussing the impact of ambassador-led conversations, Bryce Gray, Honors administrator for student recruiting and ambassador advisor, said their explanations of Honors benefits, curriculum and the application process “help campus visitors envision their time in Honors.”

“Being able to give information to incoming students and have them feel excited about Honors and Auburn has been a great privilege,” said Honors ambassador Owen Key, a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering.

The ambassador role extends well beyond campus tours or conversations in the lobby. Ambassadors also support the Honors College by assisting with events, contributing to programming and taking on behind-the-scenes tasks as needed. Their work is both outward facing and deeply internal, connecting the college’s mission to the people it serves.

Together, associates and ambassadors form a student-driven ecosystem that keeps the Honors College welcoming, informed and connected. Their work often unfolds quietly, but its impact is felt in every tour, every event and every student who walks through the doors. With each new team, the college continues to evolve, shaped by the students who choose to lead it from within.