Benefits of Being an Ambassador
- Potential opportunities to learn from and interact with policy professionals (e.g. via staffing and hosting of policy makers, practitioners, and researchers)
- Personal branding, leadership, and management development opportunities
- Public speaking development opportunities (e.g. emceeing, moderating, presenting, etc.)
- Trainings on information dissemination (e.g. email marketing, graphic design, social media, etc.) and community engagement (e.g. event management) useful for public affairs careers
- Potentially qualifies for the PBPL 198i requirement as a public affairs internship (must put in 120 hours minimum for the year or in a quarter)
- Potential opportunities to serve as the student face of the School in marketing materials
- Potential opportunities to receive SPP branded gear
- Potential for special graduation-related perks, e.g. via an ambassador stole
- Potential for letters of recommendation for the most qualified ambassadors
- Potential for scholarship opportunities
Team Morale
The program employs several motivational tools to encourage self confidence and team-building. These include:
- Quarterly High Achievement Awards. Each quarter, an “Ambassador of the Quarter” is recognized for achievements that go above and beyond the minimum requirements of the program.
- Team Socials. To foster positive relations among each other and increase trust-building, ambassadors participate in quarterly socials. These have included hikes, escape rooms, roller skating, and virtual game nights, to name a few.
- Dean/Associate Dean Socials. Occasionally, ambassadors are given the opportunity to interact with the Dean and/or Associate Dean of the SPP through ambassador-only meetings.
Professional Development Trainings
Ambassadors undergo extensive and rigorous training as part of their onboarding. They are all required to attend five days' worth of orientation sessions, which may include:
-
Soft Skills Development
- Developing a Refinement & Growth Mindset
- Personal Branding
- Leadership and Teamwork: Johari Window, Personality Typing, Conflict Management Styles
- Professionalism
- Customer Service
- Public Speaking & Small Talk
- Email Etiquette
- Inclusivity Training
-
Introduction to Public Affairs and External Relations
- Government Relations
- Donor Relations
- Faculty Relations
- Media Relations
-
Introduction to Marketing, Communications, & Branding
- Social Media
- Email Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Videography
- Podcasting
-
Introduction to Event Coordination
- Event Planning
- Event Marketing
- Event Execution
In addition, ambassadors may undergo supplemental trainings throughout the year as part of ongoing professional development.