A Program of the Are you interested in sharing your experience while supporting and promoting the CLS Program? The application to become a 2024 CLS Alumni Ambassador is now open! Apply here by 11:59 pm EST on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
Who are CLS Alumni Ambassadors?
CLS Alumni Ambassadors take leadership roles as active and positive representatives of the CLS Program and of the U.S. Department of State. CLS Alumni Ambassadors are expected to engage with all CLS alumni and to represent the program to various audiences, including applicants, program semi-finalists and finalists, university staff and faculty, and the general public. 2024 Alumni Ambassadors will be selected from alumni of the 2023 CLS Program and CLS Spark virtual initiative who apply for this volunteer role.
What do Alumni Ambassadors do?
Alumni Ambassadors participate in the following activities:
- Promote the CLS Program and language study in their community
- Plan and host events for CLS Program alumni
- Respond to questions from future and current CLS participants
- Write about their experiences on the program to be featured on the CLS website
- Mentor participants through the CLS Alumni Support Network
- Work with CLS Program staff on various projects
- Monitor online forums (such as Facebook, Instagram, X and/or LinkedIn) and share their stories with prospective CLS scholars
Who is eligible?
Anyone who successfully completed the 2023 CLS Program or CLS Spark virtual initiative is eligible to apply to become a 2024 Alumni Ambassador. Alumni of the 2023 program who applied for the 2024 CLS Program are still eligible to apply.
Why should I apply?
Being a CLS Alumni Ambassador is an opportunity to share your experiences from the CLS Program. It also gives you a unique opportunity to meet CLS alumni from previous years and to encourage all program alumni to engage with one another. Ambassadors help others apply for the CLS Program and shape the experience of future CLS participants by providing suggestions and feedback to CLS Program staff. Alumni Ambassadors are also leaders who spearhead new initiatives in alumni programming and support current CLS scholars to prepare for the program.
Is training provided?
Yes! CLS Alumni Ambassadors are expected to attend the 2024 Alumni Ambassador Forum, an annual event hosted by the CLS Team in Washington, D.C. that provides ambassadors with robust training, professional development sessions, and the exciting opportunity to connect with CLS staff, U.S. Department of State representatives, and other passionate alumni leaders. This year’s Forum is tentatively set for April 11 – April 13, 2024. The event will feature visits to the U.S. Department of State and Capitol Hill, allowing alumni ambassadors to share their CLS experiences with government representatives and elected officials. Transportation, lodging and food costs related to the Alumni Ambassador Forum will be covered by the CLS Program. CLS Alumni Ambassadors will also receive virtual training throughout their one-year term with CLS staff members.
How do I apply?
Approximately 20-25 alumni from the 2023 program will be selected. We look for alumni who have reflected on the successes and challenges of their experiences and want to share their excitement for language study and the CLS Program with others. Alumni Ambassadors will be notified about their selection in late January.
To apply, please complete the online application available here.
Applications are due by 11:59 pm EST on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
To see a list of recent Alumni Ambassadors, visit: http://www.clscholarship.org/alumni/ambassadors/
Questions?
Please contact Caitlyn Carpio, CLS Alumni Engagement Officer, at clsalumni@americancouncils.org.