Troy University launches new Social Media Ambassador program open to students

Troy has a brand new ambassador program, aiming to give students real-world professional social media experience.

The Social Media Ambassador program was designed with inspiration from colleges and universities across the nation.

Troy University’s Social Media Manager Elizabeth Ann Glisson said she saw how many universities were utilizing their students to help tell the story of their university. Glisson knew the program was something the marketing team needed to rebuild at Troy.

So far, Glisson said about 20 students applied for the ambassadorship position. Five students will be selected for the program each year.

“[It] has been amazing to see,” Glisson said. “I think our students are hungry for opportunities on campus that will help prepare them for success after graduation.”

Students will work directly with Glisson, learning vital skills such as creating content and navigating workflows as part of a team. They will learn about university-centered marketing and may even be featured in official marketing content.

“Students will be encouraged to reshare posts to their personal pages and maintain a high-quality, professional social media presence throughout their year in the program, but they will not be required to post on their own social media accounts,” Glisson said. “Each SMA will be required to create at least three videos per semester and will be expected to attend campus events where they can capture content and help tell the Troy story.

“They will also be expected to help one another when video requests come in, creating a collaborative team environment.”

Students will primarily use their phones for recording and editing and will learn how to create high-quality content using the tools they already have. Students will not have direct access to the university's social media accounts.

Glisson said the university is looking for students ready to make an impact, who have knowledge of video editing and aren't afraid to talk to strangers.

The change is highly anticipated by Glisson.

“I think this program could change Troy University social media as we know it,” Glisson said. “At its core, this program is about authenticity.

“We are giving real students the opportunity to share their experiences, their perspectives and different parts of their lives while connecting with prospective students in a way that feels genuine.”

Glisson also hopes the program will help prepare students for the workforce.

“[Students] will receive real-time feedback on the metrics of their content that they can use in their portfolios, while also gaining hands-on experience in social media literacy, video branding and photography,” Glisson said. “We are giving them one-of-a-kind access to events and university experiences, while also giving them the space to be creative and develop their own skills.

“I am very excited to see what these students do with this opportunity. I think this program has the potential to be incredibly successful, as long as everyone is fully invested and gives it their all.”

Applications for the Social Media Ambassador program are open until Aug. 28. To apply, students can follow the link in Troy University’s Instagram bio, @troyuniversity.