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In April, the CLS Program hosted the 2026 CLS Alumni Ambassador Forum in Washington, D.C. – a multi-day training focused on outreach, leadership development, and expanding the program’s impact. These ambassadors will represent CLS, engage prospective applicants, and build institutional partnerships throughout the year.
The Forum featured workshops on representing the CLS Program, effective storytelling, and supporting finalists and fellow alumni. A career panel and alumni reception convened CLS alumni based in Washington, D.C. area for professional networking and engagement across cohorts.
Ambassadors visited the U.S. Department of State, meeting with officials from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and exploring ExchangeAlumni opportunities. In a roundtable discussion with ECA Chief of Staff Victoria Roberts, ambassadors discussed how CLS shaped their language learning and global perspectives. They also conducted more than 25 meetings with congressional offices, sharing personal stories about the program’s impact on their academic and professional paths. Ambassadors departed equipped to represent CLS and communicate its value to prospective applicants, institutions, and communities nationwide.