Meet the Spartan Ambassadors

Marco Adrianzen

Marco Adrianzen

Year: Senior Major: Nursing

Hometown: Lima, Peru Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Aurora Men in Nursing Why did you choose AU? From my first semester as a transfer student, I felt a great sense of community as an international student. AU is helping and guiding me to become the best version of myself.

Julian Arroyo

Julian Arroyo

Year: Sophomore Majors: Marketing, Sport Management

Hometown: Aurora, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador; American Marketing Association; Student Programming, Events, Activities, and Recreation Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because of the smaller campus environment, financial options, and closeness to home.

Mateo Bustamante
Mateo Bustamante

Year: Senior Major: Nursing

Hometown: Elgin, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Student Nurses' Association, String Ensemble Why did you choose AU? I chose AU not only because of its outstanding nursing program, but because I would be prepared for success both during my college experience as well as in my future.

Jhon Camacho
Jhon Camacho

Year: Senior Majors: Secondary Education, History

Hometown: Carol Stream, IL

Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Football, Latin American Student Organization Why did you choose AU? Besides the great football program, AU felt like a place where I would belong and could grow as an individual.

Leah Chaidez
Leah Chaidez

Year: Sophomore Majors: Biology, Psychology Hometown: Aurora, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Heart to Heart Why did you choose AU? I chose AU due to how welcoming the campus was, especially as a minority student.

Samantha Cochran

Samantha Cochran

Year: Sophomore Major: Social Work

Minor: Criminal Justice

Hometown: Plainfield, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Choir, Resident Assistant Why did you choose AU? AU felt like a place where I could really belong. The small class sizes make it easy to connect with professors and classmates, and there are so many ways to get involved on campus. I knew it was the right place for me to grow and feel at home.

Peyton Darguzis
Peyton Darguzis

Year: Junior Majors: Business Administration, Finance

Hometown: Joliet, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Women's Volleyball Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because of the family-like feeling within the volleyball program, and I knew AU would have the resources to set me up for success post-college.

Jessie Jenkins
Jessie Jenkins

Year: Senior Majors: Business Administration, Healthcare Administration Hometown: Montgomery, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador Why did you choose AU? When I was looking for a college to attend, I saw AU has a great business program and offers an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s and master's degree in only five years after high school.

Rylee Johnson
Rylee Johnson

Year: Junior Major:  Exercise Science, Pre-Physical Therapy Hometown: Rock Falls, IL Campus Involvement:  Spartan Ambassador, Resident Assistant Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because it felt like a home away from my actual home. As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt welcomed with open arms, and that was a very important factor in my decision.

Cassandra Knowles
Cassandra Knowles

Year: Senior Major:  Early Childhood Special Education with ESL Hometown: Naperville, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Aspiring Educators, Kappa Delta Pi Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because the education department has a great reputation, and some of my high school teachers recommended it. My family lives nearby, but I chose to live on campus because I thought it would give me a sense of independence. I am learning a lot about myself as I navigate living on campus and pursuing my degree.

 Karina Lemus
Karina Lemus

Year: Senior Majors: Accounting, Finance Hometown: West Chicago, IL

Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Orientation Leader, Resident Assistant Why did you choose AU? Being a small, private school and having a great business department caught my eye, and it was the right fit for me!

Jacqueline Meza

Jacqueline Meza

Year: Junior Major: Nursing

Hometown: South Elgin, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Library Student Worker, Aurora University Student Association, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc., Latin American Student Organization, Phi Eta Sigma Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because of the sense of community and outstanding support I felt upon first visiting, both of which I knew I needed to take on the rigorous nursing program!

Hailey Noll
Hailey Noll

Year: Junior Major: Social Work

Minor: Spanish Hometown: Carol Stream, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Social Work Association, Resident Assistant, Aurora University Students’ Association Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because of the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I felt so comfortable on campus, and no other college I visited gave me that feeling. Also, AU has an amazing social work program and offers me amazing opportunities to get involved and continue to pursue my passions.

Elise Phillipp
Elise Phillipp

Year: Senior Major: Therapeutic Recreation

Minor: Neurodiversity Studies Hometown: Yorkville, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Rec N Roll Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because of the small environment and being able to be close to home. The professors know my name and the campus is beautiful.

Maggie Szweda
Maggie Szweda

Year: Senior Major: Business AdministrationHometown: Aurora, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because of the smaller campus and class sizes, the great business program, and how active the campus community is. It also is close to my home and affordable.

Joshua Thoms
Joshua Thoms

Year: Senior Majors: Exercise Science, Sport Management

Minor: Coaching and Youth Sport Development

Hometown: Plano, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Cross Country, Track and Field Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because I immediately felt at home upon my first visit to campus. I knew it would be a place where I could learn, compete, and prosper to my highest potential because of the immense support that I felt from my educators and peers. A warm, welcoming environment drew me in, and it continues to impress me every day.

Melanie Tobon

Melanie Tobon

Year: Junior Majors: Business Administration, Marketing

Minor: Spanish

Hometown: Des Plaines, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Latin American Student Organization, Phi Eta Sigma Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because it was the best fit for me to grow academically and professionally. I love the friendly and welcoming environment, the small class sizes, and the amazing business programs, which help prepare me to succeed in my career.

Daisy Vazquez

Daisy Vazquez

Year: Sophomore Majors: Accounting, Finance

Hometown: Elgin, IL Campus Involvement: Spartan Ambassador, Latin American Student Organization Why did you choose AU? I chose AU because of its great accounting program. It was the first university I visited, and from the moment I stepped on campus, I was impressed by the welcoming environment and the amazing resources available to students. I’m very excited to grow both academically and professionally during my time here at AU!

Raleigh Wilson
Raleigh Wilson

Year: Junior Major: NursingHometown: Auburndale, FL Campus Involvement:  Spartan Ambassador, Student Nurses’ Association, Resident Assistant Why did you choose AU? I chose Aurora University because it felt like the perfect fit for me. The campus environment is welcoming and vibrant, making it easy to feel at home and be part of a supportive community. I was also really impressed by the nursing program; it’s known for its hands-on approach and strong curriculum, which is exactly what I need to kickstart my career in healthcare. The combination of a friendly atmosphere and an excellent nursing education made AU stand out as the right place for me.