From student ambassador to the Niner 9: Amanda Williams’ journey of campus leadership
The Niner Aux Guides program has quietly built a track record of producing campus leaders. S.L. Ivey took home the Golden Niner title in 2024, followed by founding Lead Ambassador Natalia Harris on the 2025 court. Now, Amanda Williams steps into the spotlight as part of this year’s Niner 9.
A double major in History and Philosophy, Williams has woven herself into the fabric of UNC Charlotte campus life. Her involvement as a student ambassador with the Niner Aux Guides has offered a unique vantage point on campus culture. In this Q&A, Williams breaks down her path to the Niner 9 court, her passion for campus engagement and how her ambassador role helped shape her Charlotte story.
What does being selected for the Niner 9 mean to you?
Being selected for the Niner Nine is incredibly meaningful because Charlotte has become so much more than the university I attend. It is a community that has poured into me, challenged me, and given me opportunities to grow into the person and leader I am today. Some of my favorite moments are actually the small ones, like having a student stop me on campus and say I was their Niner Guide before they chose Charlotte, or seeing someone I once mentored now leading in their own way. Being selected for the Niner Nine feels like a celebration of those relationships and the many communities that have shaped my Charlotte experience. More than anything, I am grateful that I have been able to give some of what Charlotte has given me back to others.
What made you want to become an Aux Guide?
I wanted to become an Aux Guide because I loved the idea of showing students parts of Charlotte that they interact with every single day, but may not always know much about. Auxiliary Services touches so many parts of the student experience, from dining and transportation to campus services and resources. As someone who already enjoys connecting students with information and opportunities, becoming an Aux Guide felt like a fun and creative extension of that. I also genuinely enjoy content creation and finding ways to make information feel more approachable and relevant to students.
How has being an Aux Guide helped you get more connected or involved at UNC Charlotte?
Being an Aux Guide has helped me see Charlotte from a different perspective. I am involved in several areas of campus through residential life, student leadership, advocacy, admissions, and research, but Aux Guides introduced me to another side of how the university operates and supports students every day. It has also pushed me to attend events, learn about services I might not have discovered otherwise, and think creatively about how we communicate with students. I have enjoyed being able to take what I learn and share it with my residents, friends, organizations, and other students who may benefit from it.
What advice would you give to other Aux Guides who want to get more involved on campus?
Start by following what genuinely interests you, and do not feel like you have to become involved in everything at once. Some of my most meaningful opportunities at Charlotte came from saying yes to one experience, meeting someone through it, and discovering another opportunity from there. Talk to people, attend the event even if you have to go alone, introduce yourself, ask questions, and apply for the opportunity even if you are unsure whether you are “qualified enough.” Most importantly, remember that involvement is not about collecting titles. Find the spaces where you care about the people and the work. That is where involvement starts to feel less like something on your résumé and more like community.
Our Niner Aux Guide ambassador program aims to power your student experience and help you shape what’s next. Remember to cast your vote for the Golden Niner by Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 5 p.m.