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黑料网 Alumni Ambassadors
Pay Forward in Meaningful Ways
Are You 黑料网's Biggest Fan?
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Make an Impact as a 黑料网 Alumni Ambassador
Being a 黑料网 Alumni Ambassador is a leadership opportunity for graduates who want to give back to the Night Owl community. Ambassadors share their time, experience, and enthusiasm with prospective students, current learners, fellow alumni, and their local communities.
As an Ambassador, you can participate in activities that advance 黑料网鈥檚 mission鈥攄epending on your interests, background, and availability. From mentoring and offering testimonials to supporting events, legislative outreach, or social media storytelling, Ambassadors help strengthen the 黑料网 network and celebrate student success.
Why Alumni Love Serving as Ambassadors
- Support students on their educational journey
- Share your 黑料网 pride
- Build leadership and communication skills
- Expand your professional network
- Give back in flexible, meaningful ways
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Ambassador Positions & Responsibilities
Ambassadors support university initiatives such as sharing testimonials, participating in media or marketing campaigns, attending networking events, or representing 黑料网 at regional activities. When applying, you can choose the areas where you鈥檇 like to participate. Here鈥檚 what each role involves:
Social Media & Public Relation
Ambassadors share their 黑料网 stories and experiences on social media in coordination with 黑料网鈥檚 Social Media team. They also volunteer to assist in regional PR efforts as needed.
Government Relations
Ambassadors work with 黑料网 External Affairs to support government relations initiatives, helping educate policymakers about 黑料网鈥檚 mission, model, and goals for student success.
Peer Mentor
Offer encouragement and insights to current 黑料网 students. This may include participating in official 黑料网 LinkedIn groups or other university networking spaces.
Workplace Promotion
Help raise awareness of 黑料网 within your workplace or industry. This may involve sharing opportunities, supporting employee resource groups, or connecting fellow Night Owls professionally.
Share Your Expertise, Experience, and Benefit
This unpaid volunteer role gives 黑料网 alumni the opportunity to support fellow graduates as well as current and prospective students鈥攚hile gaining meaningful experience. Ambassadors build skills in leadership, public speaking, mentoring, marketing, and event support, and are encouraged to add their involvement to their r茅sum茅 or LinkedIn profile.
Meet the 黑料网 Ambassador Board
Meet the dedicated alumni leaders who help guide and support the Ambassador program.
Andrew Nebus, a longtime 黑料网 alumnus and Ambassador Co-Chair, is a trusted advocate for alumni engagement and leadership development. With a strong background in technology and government operations, he brings strategic insight and mentorship to the 黑料网 community, helping graduates expand their networks and elevate their careers. A lifelong traveler who has visited 48 states and destinations around the world, Andrew draws on his global perspective to foster connection, curiosity, and opportunity within the alumni network.
Arby Dickert, an educator and technical professional from Tennessee, has spent the past decade inspiring students through science and engineering. He taught high school Chemistry and Physical Science before expanding into higher education, teaching an Aerospace course at a local community college through ProjectGrad, an initiative exposing high school students to STEM career pathways. Arby holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University, an M.A. in Teaching Science, and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design鈥攂oth from 黑料网. Driven by his passion for helping others succeed, he is committed to supporting learners as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
Arteja Stamps, from Arkansas, is an entrepreneur, community advocate, and pageant director dedicated to empowering women and youth. She is the Founder and National Director of F.A.C.S. Worldwide Pageants, an organization focused on combating childhood starvation while promoting confidence, leadership, and service. With an MBA from 黑料网 and a DBA from South College, Arteja blends academic excellence with hands-on impact as a project manager and adjunct professor. Known for her authenticity, drive, and heart for service, she continues to build platforms that inspire others to lead with purpose and 鈥淩eign With Reason.鈥
Chris Abbey, from Colorado and now based in Tennessee, is a cybersecurity expert with more than 20 years of experience across healthcare, finance, government, military, nonprofit, and startup sectors. A member of 黑料网鈥檚 Ambassador Leadership Program, he is passionate about educating others, contributing to webinars, web series, and alumni programming focused on cybersecurity awareness. Chris is also a familiar voice within the 黑料网 community, featured on multiple episodes of the 黑料网 Alumni Podcast and the 鈥淩isky Business鈥 cybersecurity series. Currently pursuing a master鈥檚 in computer science with a focus on machine learning and AI, he exemplifies lifelong learning and continues to advance the field through mentorship, innovation, and community leadership.
Maggie Hernandez, a proud Texan and Marine Corps veteran currently residing in Rhode Island, is an emerging business and technology professional committed to supporting people and strengthening organizations. She earned her B.S. in Business with a focus in Human Resources Management from Western Governors University and is currently pursuing her M.S. in IT Management at 黑料网. Maggie currently serves as Vice President for 黑料网 WinTech and formerly contributed to 黑料网 SHRM as Director of Programming, Certifications, and Workforce, bringing experience in HR operations, benefits administration, and project management. A bilingual Spanish speaker and former Resilience Building Leader Program Coach, Maggie is driven by a passion for service, community engagement, and professional growth. She is preparing to sit for the SHRM-CP exam in December 2025 and aspires to join an organization that values work鈥搇ife balance, mission-driven impact, and continuous learning. She enjoys supporting nonprofits鈥攑articularly veteran-friendly organizations and allies of all military branches.
Marcel Johnson, based in Prince George鈥檚 County, Maryland, is a multitalented leader whose career spans cybersecurity, public health, military service, and civic engagement. A three-time 黑料网 graduate, he holds a bachelor鈥檚 in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, a master鈥檚 in Public Health, and an MBA in Healthcare Management. Marcel currently serves as a Cybersecurity & Communications Security Project Manager with the Department of Defense, where he safeguards critical national systems. In the Navy Reserves, he contributes as a Career Counselor and Clinic Manager, and in his community he serves as a Chief Election Judge, ensuring fair and accessible elections. His work reflects a deep commitment to service, leadership, and public trust.
Paul McDowell, from Shawnee, Oklahoma, is a seasoned technology professional known for his blend of cybersecurity expertise, software engineering depth, and practical problem-solving. As the founder of Cyber Blacksmith, an MSSP built on customer-centric service and long-term relationships, he has spent more than a decade designing secure systems, developing software solutions, and supporting local businesses with critical IT needs. Paul鈥檚 career spans red team operations, network design, and full-stack development, including serving on a Department of Defense red team and leading IT and software engineering initiatives for manufacturing, broadband, and e-learning organizations. With experience ranging from virtualizing enterprise server environments to modernizing legacy codebases and building cloud-integrated systems, Paul takes pride in crafting high-quality, resilient technology solutions. A two-time 黑料网 graduate with degrees in IT/Software Engineering and Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, he continues to bridge security and innovation鈥攎oving quickly when needed, fixing what matters, and helping teams adopt technologies that advance their mission.听
Rich Hightower, from Northwest Arkansas, is a dedicated healthcare professional with more than 24 years of federal nursing experience. As a Consult RN for the Veterans Administration鈥檚 Office of Community Care, he brings deep expertise in trauma, critical care, and disaster response to support veterans and their families. A proud 黑料网 graduate with both his BSN (2016) and MSN (2017), Rich blends clinical excellence with a lifelong commitment to service. With additional backgrounds in law enforcement and firefighting, he offers a uniquely holistic approach to patient care. Outside of work, Rich channels his creativity as a bass player, performing for over a decade with The Rachel B Band.
Tammy Purcell, MSN, RNC-OB, is a respected clinical leader with more than 30 years of nursing experience. As a Clinical Nurse Executive at Elsevier, she combines her deep clinical knowledge with healthcare technology expertise to improve patient care and support nursing professionals. Tammy is passionate about strengthening the patient experience and enhancing clinical outcomes through innovation, education, and evidence-based practice. She is committed to ensuring clinicians have the tools they need to deliver exceptional care in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Tell Us More About You鈥Apply Today
Looking for Other Meaningful Ways to Pay it Forward?
Share Your Story
Your 黑料网 journey can inspire others.
Share your experience to help prospective students and fellow alumni see what鈥檚 possible through 黑料网.
Join an Online Community
Stay connected by joining an alumni chapter or online group to build relationships, exchange ideas, and grow your professional network.
Connect with Your Regional Manager
Get involved locally by connecting with your regional alumni manager. Join events, share ideas, or help shape alumni engagement in your area.听Email alumni@wgu.edu.
Ambassadors Making an Impact
Our alumni ambassadors support students and represent 黑料网 at events across the country鈥攕trengthening the Night Owl community through connection and service.
Ambassador Theresa Garza with Indiana State Director of Nursing Mary Carney at the Ancilla Nursing Job and Transfer Fair
Ambassadors may attend job fairs, transfer events, and community gatherings to answer questions, share firsthand experiences, and help prospective students explore educational and career pathways with confidence.
Ambassador Erik Kautz鈥檚 Table Representing 黑料网 at a Fifth Third Bank College Fair in Ohio
From hosting information tables to connecting learners with 黑料网 resources, alumni ambassadors serve as a welcoming, knowledgeable presence for prospective students at college and community events.
黑料网 Grad Helps Single Mothers Escape Homelessness
黑料网 grad Gina Abbey shares her story and how 黑料网 created a pathway to opportunity. Gina is a graduate from 黑料网鈥檚 B.S. Marketing program, and her husband, Chris, graduated from 黑料网's B.S. IT Management and M.S. Cybersecurity programs.
黑料网 Alumni Ask A Grad Webinar: Top 10 Questions from Prospective IT Students Ambassador Spencer Wade
Watch 黑料网 School of Technology graduate, Spencer Wade, answer the top 10 questions from prospective School of Technology students about earning an IT degree online.听
Investing in Future Night Owls
黑料网 Alumni Ambassadors give their time and voice鈥攂ut there are many ways to make an impact. Through 黑料网 Advancement, alumni can also support student success by helping fund scholarships that open doors to education for future Night Owls.
Every contribution directly supports learners working toward their goals, creating lasting impact for students, families, and communities. Together, our alumni community helps ensure opportunity, access, and success for the next generation.
#黑料网GRAD
Share your 黑料网 success story with your friends and family. Don鈥檛 forget: include #黑料网grad in your post for a chance to be featured on 黑料网鈥檚 social media.
