Information For: Alumni

Alumni Ambassadors

Each year, the CLS Program selects a small group of outstanding recent alumni to be CLS Alumni Ambassadors. CLS Alumni Ambassadors represent the diversity of the CLS Program in language, field of study, gender, ethnicity/race, educational institution, state of origin, and future plans. Alumni Ambassadors take leadership roles as representatives of the CLS Program. They represent the program to various audiences, including prospective CLS participants, fellow alumni, CLS Program representatives, and the general public. The role of Alumni Ambassador is a one-year, unpaid, voluntary position.

Outstanding Alumni Ambassadors from previous years are also invited to continue serving the CLS Program as Senior Alumni Ambassadors. These “senior” ambassadors take part in all the usual ambassador activities, as well as serve in a mentorship role to other ambassadors.

Typical activities of an Alumni Ambassador may include:

• General CLS and/or county-specific presentations
• Participating in online forums (e.g. ExchangesConnect, State Alumni, Facebook)
• Providing prospective CLS students with information about their experience
• Responding to questions from future CLS participants as needed
• Speaking on an alumni panel at a CLS pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C.

Click here to view CLS Alumni Ambassador profiles.

Alumni Development Fund

The Alumni Development Fund provides a limited number of small grants to CLS alumni to assist with continued language learning and/or professional or academic development. Individual applicants may apply for grants up to $500, pending State Department funding; groups may be eligible for larger amounts based on size and type of activity. Preference is given to recent alumni and those alumni who have never received an Alumni Development Fund grant before. Applicants are expected to submit proposals that will have a wider impact on others (e.g. students, other CLS alumni, or the wider community).

Recent Events