Learning and having fun while representing the college

Student ambassadors at Inver Hills Community College are making new friends, learning new skills, networking and boosting their resumes while preparing for rewarding careers in their fields of interest. Read more to meet the current delegation of student ambassadors at our college.

Ambassador

Dictionary.com has this to say:

[am-bas-uh-der, -dawr] noun

1. a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary)
2. a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.

Edward Reilly Stettinius Jr.
First U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Anh Tran

Originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Anh Tran, 20, graduated from Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School in 2014 and today resides in Eagan, Minnesota. A sophomore at Inver Hills, Anh is Phi Theta Kappa vice president of leadership, International Student Club secretary and a member of the Inver Hills Choir.
Anh is earning his Associate of Arts (A.A.) at Inver with plans to transfer to a four-year university to study engineering. He’s unsure what branch of engineering he wants to pursue, but he’s leaning toward civil, chemical or mechanical.
In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, singing, watching movies, studying and doing homework.
Three words that describe you as a college student: DETERMINED. ACTIVE. OPEN-MINDED.

Why did you become a student ambassador?
“To become better at interacting with other people because communicating with other people is always a challenge for me and something I find very important.”

Anh Tran | 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Swimming
2. Place you would most like to visit: Iceland
3. The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Coming to the U.S.
4. Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Keep moving forward.”
5. Favorite all-time TV show: Game of Thrones
6. Favorite all-time movie: Interstellar
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Be the happiest person I can be.
8. Most precious material possession: N/A
9. Dream occupation: Engineering by day, opera/Broadway singer by night
10. Person you would most like to meet: Jesus
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Event organizing
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: How to learn to love, understand and accept each other better.

Carlos Enrique Matos Vasquez

Carlos Enrique Matos Vasquez, 23, is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Carlos resides in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota and is a Minnetonka High School graduate, Class of 2012.
A sophomore at Inver Hills majoring in EMS, Carlos works for Student Life in the Cultural Center and serves as a Spanish tutor. He has AHA CPR certification, EMT certification and NREMT certification.
In his free time, Carlos enjoys light reading, cooking, videogames, watching movies and TV, exercising and playing soccer, talking and hanging out with friends.
After working and saving money as a paramedic or an emergency medical technician EMT) in an E.R,  he would like to transfer to a four-year school and earn his bachelor’s degree on his way to becoming a physician assistant or going to medical school.
Three words that describe you as a college student: OPTIMISTIC. DETERMINED. HONEST.
Why did you become a student ambassador?
“I was always looking for a position within Student Life since it seemed like a fun job, and one of the best ways to get involved at Inver.”

Carlos Enrique Matos Vasquez | 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Soccer
2. Place you would most like to visit: Excelsior Bay, Minnesota
   
3. The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Go for an exchange program and become a foreign exchange student
4. Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
5. Favorite all-time TV show: Tough one, it’s between House M.D. and Scrubs.
6. Favorite all-time movie: The Dark Knight
   
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Become a doctor and work for Doctors without Borders.
8. Most precious material possession: An old 30GB black iPod video with my nickname on the back; it has been with me for at least 10 years and still works!
9. Dream occupation: Physician
10. Person you would most like to meet: If it could be anyone alive or dead, Nelson Mandela, but if it’s someone who is alive, Pope Francis.
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Could be cooking, or medical-related skills in order to save lives.
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Alienation between people when we are more connected than ever; also lack of empathy for those in need.

Christabel Okoh

Originally from Nigeria, Christabel Okoh, 19, resides in West St. Paul, Minnesota, and is a 2014 graduate of Mary and Martha Juniorate Convent in her homeland. A sophomore at Inver, Christabel is studying chemistry with plans to transfer to Metro State. Her career goal is to become a doctor or pharmacist.
She belongs to the Black Student Union (BSU) at Inver and enjoys dancing, making new friends and creating jewelry.
Three words that describe you as a college student: HARDWORKING. LESS. SLEEP.
Why did you become a student ambassador?
“Because I want to be able to show students around the campus and also help them out.”

Christabel Okoh | 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Track events
   
2. Place you would most like to visit: Dubai and South Africa
   
3. The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Every day I do exciting things.
   
4. Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Your dreams don’t have an expiration date.”
5. Favorite all-time TV show: Empire
6. Favorite all-time movie: Gilmore Girls
   
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Be the CEO of a jewelry company
   
8. Most precious material possession: My toy
   
9. Dream occupation: Doctor or pharmacist
   
10. Person you would most like to meet: Tie: Chidinma, Beyoncé and Tiwa Savage
    
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: How to be creative
    
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: We don’t want to love one another like the way we love ourselves.

Larissa Marques

Larissa Marques, 18, hails from Recife, Brazil. A 2015 graduate of Professor Arnaldo Carneiro Leão, Larissa resides in Rosemount, Minnesota. She’s a freshman at Inver Hills majoring in engineering with plans to add a second major in international business.
After Inver, Larissa is looking at transferring to Minnesota State Mankato or the University of St. Thomas. Her goals are centered on opening a Mathnasium franchise in her home country. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, dancing and playing piano.
Three words that describe you as a college student: HARDWORKING. ORGANIZED. RESPONSIBLE.
Why did you become a student ambassador?
“I have always liked helping people and I can do that as a student ambassador.”

Larissa Marques | 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Volleyball
   
2. Place you would most like to visit: Ranch Neverland in California
   
3. The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: When I came to the U.S. for the first time as an exchange student.
   
4. Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Never stop trying.”
5. Favorite all-time TV show: The Vampire Diaries
   
6. Favorite all-time movie: Moonwalker
   
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Change people’s lives in Bangladesh
   
8. Most precious material possession: Michael Jackson Bad 25 box set
   
9. Dream occupation: Open a Mathnasium math learning center in Brazil
   
10. Person you would most like to meet: Michael Jackson
    
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Drawing
    
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Health issues
    

Join the Inver diplomatic corps…

Are you looking for a fun and interactive way to get involved on campus? If you would like to be an Inver Hills student ambassador, please complete the following form, including your typed answers to questions 1–6, and bring the form to Nicki Bottko, student life activities coordinator, in Room 116A in the College Center.

Student Ambassador Application Form

Lokho Kotile

Lokho Kotile, 18, originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, is Woodbury High School graduate. A sophomore at Inver Hills, Lokho is earning her Associate of Arts (A.A.). She belongs to the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the Black Student Union (BSU).
Lokho’s transfer plans are undetermined, but her career goal is certain and simple: She wants to be her own boss. She loves photography, a hobby she has turned into her own business.
Three words that describe you as a college student: DETERMINED. CURIOUS. EXCITED.
Why did you become a student ambassador?
“I enjoyed the school atmosphere and wanted to have a job that fit with my student schedule.”

Lokho Kotile | 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Boxing
   
2. Place you would most like to visit: Tokyo, Japan
   
3. The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Having an internship in Chicago
   
4. Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Just do it.”
5. Favorite all-time TV show: The Office
   
6. Favorite all-time movie: The Pursuit of Happiness
   
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: My dreams
   
8. Most precious material possession: My camera
   
9. Dream occupation: Photographer
   
10. Person you would most like to meet: Walt Disney
    
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Videography
    
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Empathy

Maddie Elsenheimer

Maddie Elsenheimer, 19, calls Eagan, Minnesota, home. Maddie graduated from Eagan High School, Class of 2016. She’s a freshman at Inver Hills earning her A.S. in Education Foundations. She belongs to TRIO Student Support Services and is a member of the Atheist Club.
After Inver, Maddie plans to transfer to Minnesota State Mankato and double major in special education and education technology. She loves walking in the woods, reading books, volunteering and watching Netflix.
Three words that describe you as a college student: DETERMINED. PROCRASTINATOR. BUSY.
Why did you become a student ambassador?
“I wanted to become a student ambassador because of how involved you are with the campus. And I also loved the fact that I am directly impacting future and current students.”

Maddie Elsenheimer | 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Running
   
2. Place you would most like to visit: Madrid, Spain
   
3. The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Zip-lined and landed in a lake
   
4. Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Do or do not; there is no try.”
5. Favorite all-time TV show: Supernatural
   
6. Favorite all-time movie: Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
   
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Run the Boston Marathon
   
8. Most precious material possession: Necklace given to me by a friend/mentor
   
9. Dream occupation: Educational technology and special education teacher
   
10. Person you would most like to meet: Michelle Obama
    
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Code
    
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Climate change
    

Nadika Bandara

Nadika Bandara, 17, is from Mawanella, Sri Lanka. A 2014 graduate of Trinity College Kandy in his homeland, Nadika is a sophomore at Inver earning his A.S. in Computer Science. He belongs to the Engineering Club and International Student Club.
Nadika has plans to transfer to St. Cloud State University in spring 2017 to complete his B.S. in Software Engineering. He wants to gain experience in the field and start his own software firm. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and exploring new stuff. He loves science and likes playing video games.
Three words that describe you as a college student: FOCUS. SOCIALIZING. CHILLING.
Why did you become a student ambassador?
“I wanted to develop my interaction and leadership skills. Get a chance to meet many students around campus and get to know them well. Help me to get involved more in campus life.”

Nadika Bandara | 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Rugby
   
2. Place you would most like to visit: Mars
   
3. The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Zip-lined and landed in a lake
   
4. Your personal motto if you had to have one: “No pain, no gain.”
5. Favorite all-time TV show: Game of Thrones
   
6. Favorite all-time movie: The Lord of the Rings
   
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Make a positive change in how people think
   
8. Most precious material possession: N/A
   
9. Dream occupation: Being a powerful politician
   
10. Person you would most like to meet: Lord Buddha
    
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Public speaking and powerful communication skills
    
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Losing humanity within humankind
    

Nicole Cross

Nicole Cross, 35, originally from Lakeville, Minnesota, is a Lakeville High School graduate, class of 1999. A sophomore at Inver Hills, Nicole is earning her Associate of Arts (A.A.). She resides in West St. Paul.
Nicole’s transfer and career plans are undetermined. She enjoys shopping, reading and watching movies.
Three words that describe you as a college student: STUDIOUS. AMBITIOUS. PRACTICAL.
Why did you become a student ambassador?
“Fun work while meeting new people.”

Nicole Cross | 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Skiing
   
2. Place you would most like to visit: Any tropical beach
   
3. The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: I’ve been on TV
   
4. Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Work smarter, not harder.”
5. Favorite all-time TV show: Friends
   
6. Favorite all-time movie: Tropic Thunder
   
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Travel the world
   
8. Most precious material possession: My cell phone
   
9. Dream occupation: Lottery winner
   
10. Person you would most like to meet: Queen Elizabeth (or anyone owning a castle)
    
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Krav maga
    
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Global warming

For more information about Student Life at Inver Hills, contact:

Nicole Meulemans
Director of Student Life and Activities
651-450-3311
Nicki Bottko
Student Life Activities Coordinator
651-450-3530
Jenni Yamada
Student Life Activites Coordinator
651-450-3754