April 15, 2026
Contact: Sara Diedrich, diedrichs@missouri.edu
Photo courtesy of Catelynn Liniger
At the University of Missouri, getting involved in clubs and organizations provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, build meaningful connections and gain real-world experience that helps students stand out after graduation. As an involvement ambassador with Mizzou’s Student Life, Catelynn Liniger has seen firsthand the impact of stepping into campus life.
For Liniger, joining a club or student organization isn’t just about the activity itself — it’s about personal growth, career development and discovering where you fit. Learn more about Liniger and her experience as an involvement ambassador:
What is your hometown and major?
I’m from Granite City, Illinois, and my major is educational studies with an emphasis in educational leadership.
Give us an overview of your responsibilities as an involvement ambassador at Mizzou.
I hold weekly office hours where I get to meet one-on-one with students interested in getting involved on campus. During those conversations, we talk about different options for them and explore what best suits their needs, interests and long-term goals at Mizzou. Afterward, I will follow up with more information about the opportunities we discussed, as well as additional resources.
I also speak to classes and student groups about the broader scope of getting involved. I encourage students to think about the benefits, address any hesitations they may have and leave them with tools that make getting involved as simple as possible. For example, I recently spoke with admitted students in the College of Education and Human Development about how involvement can expand their opportunities and broaden their horizons at Mizzou. In every presentation, I share how involvement has changed my life. It’s really rewarding to share that sentiment with the next class of Tigers.
As president of the involvement ambassador team, I lead monthly staff meetings and hold one-on-one meetings with members of the executive team and our coordinator, Gavin Aitken. Through this role, I see the impact of our program, which has deepened my passion for connecting students with meaningful opportunities. I enjoy helping my team members and the students I meet across campus. This role has helped me make the most of my Mizzou experience.
In addition to providing ambassadors, how else does Mizzou make it easy for students to get involved?
In addition to the involvement ambassador program, Mizzou offers a platform called MU Engage that allows students to explore organizations and events from the moment they arrive on campus. This platform is especially helpful during Welcome Week, which provides a slate of free events designed to help students feel connected to the university and its community. I served as a Welcome Week Leader this past year, connecting with first-year students, helping build their excitement about Mizzou and introducing them to campus opportunities in a more casual way. In early September, Mizzou also hosts Involvement Week, which is dedicated to helping students find ways to get involved on campus. Student organizations participate in the Involvement Fair, where students can explore a wide range of clubs and organizations. As an involvement ambassador, I support the event by doing check-in, handing out giveaways and helping students navigate their options.
Whether students are looking to join a club, get involved in research or find a campus job, Mizzou provides countless opportunities — and does an excellent job of making them accessible.
What’s one thing you tell students to encourage them to get involved on campus?
I always encourage students to try something new and put themselves out there. It’s easy to feel intimidated by all the opportunities on campus, especially as a new student, but stepping outside your comfort zone helps you discover what you like, what you don’t like and how you want to grow. I encourage students to test those new interests and to explore, even if it makes them feel uncomfortable temporarily. Those moments can lead to unexpected opportunities that they can build on.
