Catching up with the 2026 K-State Student Ambassadors
By Ashley Pauls
K-State Alumni Association
If you attend an event hosted by the K-State Alumni Association in your community
this year, there’s a good chance you’ll spot Remi Baldock or Abby Taylor mingling
in the crowd, chatting with alumni, friends and prospective students.
Baldock and Taylor are serving as the current K-State Student Ambassadors, a role
that allows them to spread their purple pride and share updates about all the great
things happening on campus.
The Student Ambassadors are elected each year during Homecoming week to represent the student body at various
K-State Alumni Association events and at university activities. They’re also involved
with the Student Alumni Board and the Student Homecoming Committee.
We recently caught up with Baldock and Taylor and asked them to share about their
experiences so far and what they’ve enjoyed most about the role of K-State Student
Ambassador.
Remi Baldock
How has serving as a Student Ambassador impacted your overall K-State experience?
While it is just the beginning of my time as Student Ambassador, it has already elevated
my experience at K-State. Getting the chance to meet so many people who are passionate
about K-State has made me really excited for the rest of the year. Meeting new people
is one of my favorite things to do, and as a Student Ambassador I've been able to
connect with students, alumni and leaders on campus. This has deepened my understanding
of what makes K-State so special, while also motivating me to continue to spread awareness
of the opportunity that exists for students here at K-State.
What aspects of K-State do you most enjoy sharing with potential students and families?
The first thing that I believe is important to stress to others is the community that
you get at K-State. You always hear about how special the people in Manhattan are,
and you get to experience the K-State family firsthand when you make the decision
to become a Wildcat. There aren't many guarantees in life, but I can guarantee that
you will find your people here. This is done through the many clubs and organizations
that K-State has to offer, which is another aspect of K-State that I enjoy sharing.
I enjoy talking about this because it is what has made my time at K-State memorable,
and I believe that if I didn't make the decision to join my fraternity heading into
my freshman year, I probably wouldn't be one of the 2026 Student Ambassadors. While
Greek life surrounded me with the people who have supported me throughout my time
at K-State, you can get this same support in the hundreds of clubs and organizations
on campus.
During your time as a Student Ambassador, what is something you've learned or experienced
that you didn’t expect?
Something that I didn't know going into being a Student Ambassador and wasn't really
expecting to learn is the long history of the Student Ambassador role. I have been
able to look back at the previous 48 sets of Student Ambassadors and realize how outstanding
each individual has been, and how they have continued to give to the university even
after their time of service. These individuals have paved the way for Abby and I to
get the chance to serve K-State in a similar fashion, and it is always special when
meeting a former Ambassador. Seeing that they still have that similar love and passion
for K-State years after their time here fires me up for the future. It has reminded
me that even after graduation, I will always remember my time as a Student Ambassador,
and I will always cherish my time as a Wildcat.
What are some of your favorite K-State traditions, activities or hang out spots around
campus?
My favorite K-State tradition is not one single tradition, but football game days
at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. This is because football games were my first connection
to K-State, and I have many core memories growing up cheering on the ’Cats. I am a
firm believer that sports can teach you a lot about life, and a Bill Snyder-led football
program modeled for me what it means to be a Wildcat. Some of my favorite activities
include anything involving K-State sports, and also lifting or playing basketball
at the rec center. There are many great spots to hang out in and around campus, but
I find myself spending most of my time at the Alumni Center, the Engineering Building
or one of the many great coffee shops in town!
What is something that is happening on campus now that makes you excited for the future
of K-State?
The main thing that sticks out to me is the K-State Campus Master Plan. This excites
me because it proves the commitment that K-State has for its future students. It shows
that while the K-State experience is stellar as is, we are continuously looking for
ways to improve. This plan includes major improvements on campus that will enhance
the student experience, not only with improved facilities but also beautifying some
aspects of campus such as the creek that runs through it. I enjoy the campus of K-State
as is, but I will say that I am jealous of these future Wildcats that will get to
experience this new and improved campus when it is finished!
Abby Taylor
How has serving as a Student Ambassador impacted your overall K-State experience?
Serving as a Student Ambassador has elevated my K-State experience by being able to
share the mission of the Alumni Association and further connect with students on campus.
The selection process for Student Ambassador pushed me out of my comfort zone while
also interacting with so many amazing K-State professionals. Speaking in front of
so many students at Wildcat Request Live and Pant the Chant was not easy, but I am
so glad I had that opportunity! Now, I have been able to truly see the reach the Alumni
Association holds on past, present and future Wildcats. I have loved sharing my K-State
story, bringing new people to our campus and allowing them to write their own stories.
Hearing from so many great K-State alumni has also been very fulfilling and one of
my favorite parts. Serving as Student Ambassador has and continues to remind me that
being a Wildcat is more than just four years, it is for life.
What aspects of K-State do you most enjoy sharing with potential students and families?
My favorite aspect to talk about is the community atmosphere in Manhattan and the
magic that you experience when you come to K-State's campus. We have such a unique
and special community that goes above and beyond to support K-State. If you drive
around Manhattan on a game day, you see nearly every business with a K-State flag
hanging, the entire town filled with buzz and excitement. Some view K-State's smaller
size as a weakness, but I have always known it to be our greatest strength. There
is a certain magic that is hard to explain, but instead something you feel from the
moment you step foot onto campus!
During your time as a Student Ambassador, what is something you've learned or experienced
that you didn’t expect?
Although we are still early in our term serving as Student Ambassadors, I feel as
though I have learned so much about how involved K-State alumni are and what life
as alumni looks like. Serving in this role has shown me many programs, events and
other offerings that continue to improve what it means to be alumni of Kansas State
University. Our alumni base is engaged, and they love to give back to K-State in ways
I did not previously realize. I have seen how our alumni go above and beyond to continue
making K-State a place where students have the same great experiences they did as
students. Being able to advocate for both alumni and students has been one of my greatest
joys from my K-State journey, and has provided me with a special perspective that
I am immensely grateful to experience and live out.
What are some of your favorite K-State traditions, activities or hang out spots around
campus?
K-State's traditions make our university so special, and I love being able to continue
them as a student! As a little girl, I was always so excited to see the students doing
the Wabash Cannonball at football games. Now, it still is my favorite Wildcat tradition. K-State's game
day atmosphere is so special, whether it's football, basketball, volleyball or baseball,
spending a day watching the 'Cats is a perfect day for me!
It is hard to beat Varsity Donuts and Bluestem. Growing up, we would always grab a
dozen donuts on our way out of town, and it is still one of my favorite treats in
town. Bluestem is a great place for meetings, and I feel like I always see at least
one other person there who I know. My favorite place to study is the College of Business
building or on the side porch of my sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. I can also be found
walking around City Park. This is another place in Manhattan that I love, and it is
always great to see so many others enjoying the nice weather and each other’s company.
What is something that is happening on campus now that makes you excited for the future
of K-State?
I am very excited for all of the new leaders we have coming on campus right now, in
so many different areas of student life. I cannot wait for Coach Klein and Coach Alexander
and what they will do in their inaugural seasons as head coaches. The K-State game
day experience is already rooted in so much tradition, and I cannot wait to see how
these two elevate it for all members of the K-State community.
I also am excited for the 10-year master plan and seeing those initiatives implemented
on our campus. We have already seen so much progress with the Bilbrey Center and the
new Western Star Global Grain and Food Center, that I am looking forward to just how
amazing our campus will be in the near future!