BearCAT Ambassadors

Name : Melissa Ozarzak
Hometown : Sylvania, OH
Major : Nursing
Location : West
Campus Involvement : UHA Secretary, VP Women's Club Volleyball, and NSCS
Why be an Ambassador?: "I wanted to be an ambassador to try to improve Clifton. By improving the area around campus we can generate more interest in the University, which I think is better for the community. Also, since I live in Clifton, I want to make my home better for my neighbors and I."
Goals: To get students more involved in community events and to bring the community together towards common goals (increased safety, cleaner environment, etc).

Name: Brian Rapien
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Major: Industrial Management
Location : South
Campus Involvement: Co-founder and Vice President of the Russian Culture Club, Alternative Spring Break Relief Trip - Chalmette, LA, Student Government - Director of Community Affairs, Delta Sigma Pi Professional Co-ed Business Fraternity - Social Chair, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity - Recruitment Selection Committee, Greek Week Coordinator, UC Club Volleyball Team, Camp Bearcat - Leadership Camp, UC College Republicans, Intramural Sports - Soccer, Football, Basketball, Softball and Volleyball
Why be an Ambassador: "I am involved in BearCAT because I want to support the neighborhood that I live in. I want to make Clifton a better place and I don't think there is any better way to start than a team of students."
Goals: To get a consistent group of students to attend our events and raise the students awareness that a change can start with them.

Name: Daniel J. Larsen
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Major: Business
Location: North, Pike House, Ludlow and Brookline
Campus Involvement: Student Alumni Council, Pi Kappa Alpha, Greek Recruitment Team, Golf Club, Tennis Club, Ski Club
Why be an Ambassador?: "I wish to create a vibrant and active relationship between the university, off campus residents, and off campus students.  This relationship will promote awareness, responsibility, safety, and consideration."
Goals: To create a roster with numbers and email addresses of community members, to host a quarterly community event (cookout, cleanup, concert), to build relationships, and to create unity and understanding over an easy/expedited mode of communication.

Name: Jason Waller
Hometown: Cincinnati
Major: Criminal Justice
Location: East campus (corryville)
Campus Involvement: President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Vice President of PAC, Vice President of Men of Metro, Assistant Carnival Chair of Sigma Sigma Men's Honorary, CECH Student Senate Representative.
Why be an Ambassador?: "I am an ambassador because I want to be a strong contributing member to my campus and my community. Community relations are very important and I want to be a factor in the betterment our campus and community relations."
Goals: To increase campus/community relations by creating a stronger sense of community through communication and collaboration between BearCAT and the surrounding area.

Name: Samuel J. Walston
Hometown: Maineville, OH
Major: Secondary Education, Sophomore
Location: West Side of Campus
Campus Involvement: Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Inter fraternity Council, CECH Ambassador, CECH Tribunal, GearUP Tutoring, Professional Fundraising Representative, BearCAT.
Why be an Ambassador?: "I decided to become involved with BearCAT for a few reasons.  First off, the CUF community and University of Cincinnati student body that live in the area do not have the relationship needed to move the city of Cincinnati forward.  Secondly, many of the students that live in the community have lacked a sense of responsibility to their community."
Goals: To build a sense of community between students and permanent residents, to help develop a connection of the students to the Cincinnati area, and hopefully make their neighborhood feel safer, cleaner, and develop a feeling of ownership.

Name : Kaitlin Keegan
Hometown : Avon Lake, Ohio
Major : Materials Engineering
Location : South
Campus Involvement : Twirler/Student Alumni Council/Society of Plastic Engineers
Why be an Ambassador? : "I wanted to become an ambassador to establish a relationship with the people that live in my community, especially since I moved off-campus."
Goals : To personally establish a relationship with the Clifton community and to accomplish tangible projects that will benefit the community.