For many families, the first real conversation about college doesn’t happen in a classroom. It begins around a dining-room table, moves quickly to “next steps,” and often leads to stepping foot on campus—walking the grounds, asking questions, and trying to imagine what life might look like here. Student ambassadors leading UW-Green Bay campus tours patiently field questions about housing, food and campus life—and in Angela “Angie” Ramos-Figueroa’s case, vivienda, comida y la vida en el campus.
While UW-Green Bay is an English-language institution, we provide resources and support, including campus tours, in Spanish to help students and families feel informed and welcome throughout the college journey.
Ramos-Figueroa has led these conversations more than 100 times, in both English and Spanish. The concerns are universal. “A lot of students don’t know what to expect, and parents are worried too,” she said. “So I try to make it feel less scary and more like a place where they can see themselves.”
Often serving as both guide and translator, Ramos-Figueroa helps prospective students and their families navigate campus with confidence. The tours are about more than directions or degree programs; they are about clarity and reassurance—making sure people feel understood at a moment when the decision ahead can feel intimidating. In that way, her work reflects a broader approach at UW-Green Bay: speaking to students and parents in ways that remove barriers, build trust and invite participation, even when those conversations don’t begin in English.
“I know where families’ feet are planted,” Ramos-Figueroa said.
Angie’s Journey
That understanding comes from experience. Ramos-Figueroa grew up in the Green Bay area and first encountered UW-Green Bay as a student herself. Like many local students, she toured campus early, returning again during middle school and high school visits. Other campuses felt impressive, but UWGB stood out for different reasons.
“It felt like its own place,” she said. “Its own community.”
She enrolled as a Business Administration major with a minor in Marketing. Early on, her experience as a bilingual student was quieter than expected. She didn’t immediately encounter many Spanish speakers, but over time, connections emerged—sometimes through shared language, sometimes through shared experience.
“Even if we spoke different kinds of Spanish,” she said, “we still understood each other.”
By her own description, Ramos-Figueroa arrived at UW-Green Bay shy and introverted. Becoming a student ambassador wasn’t an obvious next step. Encouraged by peers who already held the position, she applied knowing the role would require public speaking, confidence and visibility.
“I’ve never felt so uncomfortable going into a job knowing I had to speak in front of people,” she said. “But I’m really glad I took the chance.”
That decision led to more than a year and a half of campus tours, including 32 in a single summer. During her first summer as an ambassador, Admissions staff asked if she would be comfortable giving tours in Spanish. She agreed, but prepared carefully, working with peer mentors to ensure her translations were accurate and culturally thoughtful. Once the first Spanish tour was complete, the nerves eased.
“It became more natural,” she said. “More of a flow.”
Building belonging through language
Over time, it became clear that Spanish-language tours often serve a different purpose. While students listen closely, parents tend to ask most of the questions. Many are navigating college for the first time and want to understand safety, academic support and daily life—without worrying about missing details.
“When parents hear information in Spanish, they feel more relaxed. They know what’s being said. They know what’s available.”-Angie Ramos-Figueroa
Ramos-Figueroa understands those conversations because she has lived them. Many students balance work, commuting and responsibilities at home, and some students feel pressure about leaving family behind.
Her work eventually extended beyond campus tours. Ramos-Figueroa eagerly volunteered to assist with UW-Green Bay marketing efforts in both English and Spanish, participating in photo shoots, videos and outreach materials. Her studies provided technical grounding, but being on the other side of the camera showed her how messages land—and how much trust is involved in representing a place.
“It’s different when you’re the face of campus,” she said. “You learn how messages land.”
Community engagement has also been a consistent part of her experience. Through Pi Beta Phi, a national women’s fraternity with a focus on literacy, Ramos-Figueroa volunteered at local elementary schools, reading with students and supporting literacy initiatives. When possible, she read in Spanish, helping bilingual students feel more comfortable with language and learning.
“The goal is to fall in love with reading,” she said.
Rising to her future
Those communication skills—developed through tours, marketing and community work—eventually opened a professional door. While visiting Green Bay YWCA with her family, Ramos-Figueroa struck up conversations that led to a feature opportunity. Her comfort answering questions and representing an organization stood out, and soon after she was invited to interview for a Communications and Marketing Specialist position.
She got the job.
Now working in communications at YWCA, a position she began before graduating with her Business Administration degree in December 2025, Ramos-Figueroa spends much of her time behind the camera, writing and shaping messages. She also regularly steps in to translate when Spanish-speaking community members need support—bringing the same sense of clarity and reassurance to her work that once guided families through campus.
“Sometimes people just need to know they’re welcome.”-Angie Ramos-Figueroa
Advice for future bilingual students
Looking back, communication is the thread connecting her experience at UW-Green Bay—from early uncertainty to student leadership to professional confidence. Learning how to listen, translate and speak with care prepared her for a career rooted in service and connection.
Her advice to future bilingual students considering UW-Green Bay reflects that same reassurance.
“Give it a chance,” she said. “Bring your parents. Let them see what you’ll experience.”
And then, simply:
“You’re going to be okay.”
Ready to start your own exploration of UW-Green Bay? Schedule your campus tour today—in English or Spanish.