By Madelyn Ostendorf
Riley Bell, senior in agricultural and life sciences education, came to campus ready to meet new people and try new things. In her first semester, she joined various clubs to help decide where she wanted to take her college experience.
Since then, she has stayed involved with Sigma Alpha and CALS Ambassadors, chairing its philanthropy committee and leading tours for prospective students.
Bell is the spring 2024 recipient of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences Award, which recognizes individuals who have excelled at becoming leaders and communicators in agriculture.
“I really enjoy promoting the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,” Bell said. “I tell people it's a place that feels like home and you can meet your best friends in unexpected places.”
Bell has had three summer internships, a semester at Ag Leader in Ames and another semester of student teaching. She has also attended a spring break study abroad program in Dubai, adding to the experiences she can share.
“Riley serves as a role model day in and day out with her natural ability to lead others,” Scott Smalley, associate professor of agricultural education and studies, wrote in her nomination letter. “I have witnessed firsthand her ability to say hello to a complete stranger and carry on a half-hour conversation with someone she has never met before. The impact she has made on other students within the classroom and on new and prospective students to Iowa State is outstanding.”
Connections with prospective students can happen in the strangest of ways, as Bell discovered. As one of her CALS Ambassador duties, she gave a tour to a student and her mom. Soon after, the same student joined Sigma Alpha and several other activities highlighted during the tour, partially because the student remembered Bell talking about them.
“It was really cool that I got to give her a tour her senior year of high school and the next time I saw her, she was involved in things I had mentioned,” Bell said. “Then it was fun to get to know her more personally.”
Bell advises students to take risks and introduce themselves to as many people as possible.
“Get to know the people around you,” Bell said. “It's always good to have a network of people in your corner. Remember, they're just as scared to meet you as you are to meet them. Just reach out.”
As she graduates, Bell is preparing to meet new colleagues at AgriVision, where she will enter the company’s dealer training program, beginning in May.