O'Laughlin Ambassador

Position Title: O’Laughlin Ambassador

Semester/Year: 2026 Spring Semester          

Total Positions Available: 10-20

Supervisor: Deanna Spencer

Pay rate: $16 per hour 

Start Date: February 23, 2026

End Date: May 12, 2026

Students hired into on-campus jobs must complete federal employment paperwork, including the Form I9. Students must present original documents indicating they are eligible to work in the U.S. Photocopies of documents cannot be accepted. Students should ensure they have their documents on campus or have a plan to get their documents to campus if they are hired to work on campus.

Description

Mara O’Laughlin graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1966 and spent most of her career working in the Admissions Office. During her time as Director of Admissions, she admitted two thirds of the current body of William Smith alumnae and spread her love for the colleges to many. The O’Laughlin Ambassadors are named in honor of Mara and her decades of service and commitment to Hobart and William Smith.

In the HWS Admissions Office, O'Laughlin Ambassadors will be expected to handle a variety of responsibilities including marketing and promoting Hobart and William Smith as a tour guide, welcoming guests to the Admissions Office, and helping to support on-campus events such as Open Houses. These students will introduce the Colleges' campus, curriculum, and programs to prospective students, their families and any visitors as needed. All O'Laughlin Ambassadors are expected to assist with special events including some weekend programs. O’Laughlin Ambassadors typically work 1.5-4 hours a week, and scheduling is done based on availability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct campus tours for prospective students, their families and other visitors
• Work at Admissions’ events such as Admitted Student Days and Open Houses
• Answer incoming phone calls, take messages and transfer calls to other departments
• Greet visitors, assist with maintaining the appearance of the office and ensure daily visits are running efficiently
• Confidently share experiences of Hobart and William Smith students and answer general questions about the colleges

Qualifications

• Reliable, organized and responsible
• Confident and comfortable with public speaking and leadership roles
• Solid customer service and interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills
• Open to all class years

Anticipated Hiring Timeline

• January 26-February 6: First round interviews
• February 9-20: Second round interviews (for selected students)
• February 23-27: Anticipated start date

For full consideration, please apply by January 25. - For questions, please email Deanna Spencer at dspencer@hws.edu.