Figurative trumpets blare as Diversity Ambassadors are deployed by the College of Communications as the one of the first lines of offense in the war of recruiting.

"Starting from last year, they were instrumental in helping me to host six different high school visits. Our Diversity Ambassadors are very helpful, in particular on student panel discussions," said Joseph Selden, director of multicultural affairs in the College of Communications.

Trained in mentoring techniques and strategies, the young men and women who serve as Diversity Ambassadors are leaders within the college and are selected through a process that includes a short application form and an interview. Students can also be approached as a result of their involvement within the college.

Ambassadors also are used during phone-a-thons to call prospective freshmen during their senior year.

"I was one of those people. I'm here because of the phone-a-thon," said Aileen Rodriguez (junior-public relations). "I was at a point at not really coming to Penn State. I don't think (getting a scholarship) would have happened without the phone-a-thons."

Rodriguez is now a Diversity Ambassador and the president of AHANA, a minority organization in the college.

The program is not all fun and games, Rodriguez said. Ambassadors must be willing to lend an ear to anxious students and parents.

Rodriguez recalled a time where the phone-a-thon had ended long before her conversation with a concerned mother did. For 40 minutes, she consoled an anxious mother who was concerned by the idea of her only child attending Penn State and finding himself alone and without a solid support system. Before hanging up the phone, Rodriguez had assured the mother of the academic, social and religious opportunities available for her son at Penn State.

Although the college receives anywhere from 15 to 20 applications per year for the positions, which are unpaid, it only selects 10 to 15 of the students to be in charge of welcoming incoming minority freshmen.

The ambassadors try to develop a mentoring relationship with incoming students, which often develops into an encouraged friendship. The bonds are only regulated for that first year, Selden said.

"Diversity students are very difficult to contact and get connected with the college," Selden said, emphasizing the influence of the Diversity Ambassador program.

Terrell Jones, vice provost of educational equity, elaborated on Selden's statement.

"I think it's very important to have mentors. No one does it alone," Jones said. "Having people makes it easier for (minority students) to adjust. We have lots of advisory boards that work with the colleges. And (minority recruitment) is important to the advisory boards."

Jones extended the importance of minority recruitment to the communications and business industries.

"You do a better job reporting when you have a variety of people who can think from all different perspectives," Jones said.

Penn State's College of Communications boasts a high four-year graduation rate, Selden said.

"We graduate 80 percent of diversity students in four years," he said. "You won't hear anyone else espouse those figures."