Anna Fuentes, lead College of Nursing outreach ambassador and Houston native, chose the nursing program as she had heard about its reputation for producing well-rounded nurses aligned with her values.
Her path to becoming an outreach ambassador began uniquely when she volunteered at the Asthma Camp Eagle and Nursing Camps in 2023. The summer experience led her to connect with Dr. Linda Gibson-Young, Outreach coordinator for AUCON, and ultimately join the Outreach Committee at the College.
She noticed a slight disconnect between students and outreach at the meetings. She felt that the program needed to encourage students to be more involved and participate in its initiatives. And Outreach Ambassadors was born!
As AUCON Outreach Ambassador, Fuentes' responsibilities include attending committee meetings, assisting professors, suggesting ideas, participating in outreach events, and connecting students with volunteer opportunities. Her role is to bridge gaps and increase student involvement in outreach initiatives and setting a precedent for future nursing students.
Through an application process, Gibson-Young and Fuentes selected five passionate students to lead and assist with the betterment of Outreach for students. “We have met a few times to prepare them for their new roles and hope that lots of positive change comes from these hardworking students,” Fuentes said.
Fuentes’ leadership extends beyond her current role; she previously served as Vice President of Service for NHS and HOSA in high school and Vice President of SNA at AUCON. These experiences fueled her passion for service and inspired her to enhance outreach efforts within the nursing school. She emphasizes the abundance of opportunities at AUCON, encouraging prospective students to explore various organizations and service avenues. She hopes her work will inspire other students to embrace servant leadership, become more involved within AUCON, and contribute meaningfully to the nursing community, and to the state of Alabama.
She collaborates closely with Gibson-Young and the Outreach Committee and aims to showcase AUCON's Outreach achievements within Auburn University. Her future aspirations include becoming a trauma nurse and potentially a flight nurse, focusing on rural outreach and community service.
Through the challenges of nursing school, Anna has discovered her support network and developed resilience, learning invaluable lessons about herself. “I navigated stressful and difficult situations by turning to those who cared about my well-being and wanted me to succeed. Nursing school has taught me more about myself and to become a better version of myself as I progress through life as a nurse.”
Anna Fuentes exemplifies dedication to nursing and community service, paving the way for future leaders in nursing education and outreach at AUCON. Her ultimate goal is to emulate Gibson-Young's passion for service and make a positive impact on those in need.
Lauren Krampe, a native of Henderson, Ky., realized that her desire to contribute to something great in life could be achieved by becoming an outreach ambassador.
As she steps into her role as the lead outreach ambassador for AUCON, she will be supporting all initiatives offered by the college. This includes collaborating with professors and community clinical experiences, gathering ideas for interactive outreach projects, and involving students in community engagement. Although she is new to the program, she wants to share her enthusiasm for outreach with fellow students, aiming to expand these efforts in AUCON and across the wider Auburn campus.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Krampe has been involved with PERIOD Auburn, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to ending period poverty and addressing menstrual health stigma. Her involvement has deepened her awareness of societal challenges and strengthened her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.
She reflects on a challenging time in her life recalling undergoing surgery just before starting her sophomore year in college and during her nursing school applications. “Drawing strength and support from friends, family and my own resilience helped me overcome these setbacks. This experience, though difficult, ultimately reinforced my faith and determination.”
Krampe’s decision to pursue nursing at Auburn was influenced by the welcoming environment that made the campus feel like a second home to her. She embraced Auburn’s motto: ‘If you love Auburn, Auburn will love you back!’
Krampe aspires to embody the qualities of empathy, care, and compassion as she works towards becoming a nurse. According to her, her lifelong passion for helping others finds fulfillment in the nursing profession, and her role as an outreach ambassador aligns perfectly with her goals of serving the community.
Lauren Krampe's journey has revealed her resilience, compassion, and a strong commitment to making a difference. Her experiences and aspirations emphasized her dedication to nursing and community outreach to positively impact the lives of those around her.
Charlotte LaBranche, from Cape Cod, Mass., is realizing her long-held dream of earning a nursing degree from Auburn, following in her mother’s footsteps. She is grateful that her wish is becoming a reality and has embraced an active role within the AUCON community.
As a member of AUCON, her primary motivation include fostering new relationships and contributing to the Auburn community. Her role as an ambassador involves organizing and coordinating initiatives such as TigerChatTM and TigerCheckTM. These initiatives provide clinical opportunities for upper division nursing students that involve educational events and screenings at local grade schools.
LaBranche’s leadership journey began during her high school, where she served as a student liaison for her town’s public library. That experience developed her leadership skills and also nurtured her passion for advocating for her classmates.
She enthusiastically recommends Auburn’s Nursing Program to prospective students, highlighting its rigorous preparation for real-world nursing scenarios and the support of dedicated professors, “who will do everything in their power to help you succeed.”
LaBranche aims to increase awareness of Outreach projects within AUCON and involve her broader circle of friends in community initiatives like Flu Shot Clinic. Her ultimate career goal is to join the Navy Nurse Candidate Program and serve as a nurse in the US Navy, viewing this role as an ambassador as a key opportunity to further develop her leadership abilities.
Currently in her first semester in the upper division nursing program, she faces the challenge of balancing a demanding academic schedule with her part-time work. She emphasizes the importance of self-care as essential to maintaining balance and recommends daily activities such as taking walks, reading or watching shows to refresh the mind.
Charlotte LaBranche exemplifies dedication, leadership, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference within the nursing profession and in her community at Auburn University.
Sophia Sarakatsannis, a nursing student from Fort Thomas, Ky., found her passion for Auburn University during a visit to AUCON while still in high school. Her love of nursing has been deeply connected to her commitment to community involvement and outreach efforts.
As an ambassador for AUCON, she plays a key role in various capacities. She helps organize events, represents AUCON at conferences or fairs, coordinates outreach programs, and engages with prospective students and stakeholders. Specifically focused on rural health outreach, she collaborates closely with Dr. Amy Pridemore and other faculty members, to recruit student volunteers for rural initiatives and participate in outreach events.
Sarakatsannis’ leadership experience extends beyond her role as an ambassador. In high school, she served as team captain for both the varsity swimming and volleyball teams. She held the position of Vice President of the National Honors Society actively participating in community outreach events related to public health. At Auburn University, she continues her commitment to community service through initiatives like The BIG Event, where students dedicate a day to community service. She currently serves as the Vice President of programming and enrichment in her sorority, further developing her leadership skills and community engagement.
For prospective students, Sarakatsannis highlights the importance of outreach as a way to showcase AUCON’s commitment to serving the community and the opportunities new students will have to be actively involved in these efforts.
She emphasizes that being an ambassador has been instrumental in her personal and professional growth, offering a supportive environment where challenges are faced collaboratively. She values the opportunity to work with other ambassadors and faculty members who bring creative solutions to solve problems, enhancing her skills in problem-solving and leadership.
Post graduation, her career aspirations are centered around ICU nursing initially, with plans to pursue a graduate degree after gaining practical experience. Her ultimate goal is to work in a role that integrates outreach and community involvement significantly.
Houston native Emily Fuentes chose Auburn because she liked the way AUCON’s nursing curriculum was structured and believes that AUCON will provide her with a solid foundation for her goal of becoming a holistic nurse.
Since her freshman year, Fuentes has been actively involved in various AUCON clubs, volunteering in Auburn and the surrounding communities. A passionate proponent of the outreach program and its initiatives, her enthusiasm extends beyond campus borders as she strives to involve Auburn students and local communities in these valuable experiences.
As outreach ambassador for camp initiatives, she collaborates with faculty and staff, other student outreach leaders and nursing students. She will be working with faculty members helping them prepare for different AUCON camps, including Asthma Camp Eagle, Discovery MedCamp, Nursing Camp, STEP, and the Traumatic Brain Injury Camp. “My goal is to help expand AUCON’s outreach initiatives to the whole campus,” Fuentes said.
In high school, Fuentes served as the leadership vice president of her HOSA chapter, organizing seminars and gaining valuable insights into effective leadership. Her membership in her school's National Honor Society further emphasized her commitment to community service and outreach, experiences she eagerly continues at Auburn University.
Entering her first semester in the nursing program, she feels well-prepared due to her familiarity with the curriculum and hopes to engage with prospective students to share her insights and encourage their success. She stresses the program’s intensity and the importance of using available resources to excel, and to overcome challenges through diligence and seeking support.
Emily Fuentes displays a resilient spirit with a genuine passion for helping others, qualities that will shape her into a compassionate and effective healthcare professional. Her ultimate goal is to make a meaningful impact as a nurse, addressing healthcare disparities and promoting healthy lifestyles. “Being involved in outreach aligns with my goals to help the community around me,” she added.
Starting fall 2024, Caroline Zelan, another outreach ambassador, is stepping into a meaningful role in her work with Family Health Initiatives. She will be working with Dr. Ann Lambert on outreach initiatives aimed at increasing connections with AUCON students. “It’s wonderful to hear that she’s passionate about service and poised to excel as an ambassador,” said Anna Fuentes. “Her enthusiasm and dedication will likely lead to positive impacts in the community.”
"To engage in community outreach and to assume leadership roles as a nursing student enhances their ability to understand diverse health needs and advocate effectively for patients in their future nursing practice," said Gibson-Young, highlighting the benefits of community outreach and leadership activities for nursing students.
"Participation in such initiatives develops skills in teamwork, communication and cultural competence essential for delivering patient-centered care throughout their careers. Their active involvement equip them to tackle health disparities, promote health education, and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. It deepens their understanding of social determinants of health, empowering them to implement holistic care strategies and contribute meaningfully to healthcare outcomes as future nurses.
“Their roles as ambassadors provide invaluable training in community assessment, advocacy, and resource management, ensuring nursing students are well-prepared to address the diverse needs of patients and communities they will serve," Gibson-Young added.
