Global Ambassadors Program
With alumni living and working in 173 countries around the world, Northwestern relies on some of our most passionate volunteers to engage our global alumni population. Global Ambassadors have the unique opportunity to build relationships with alumni, students, parents, and friends of the University who live or work in areas that are not currently represented by one of our officially chartered NAA clubs.
The benefits and services provided by Northwestern’s alumni clubs, groups, and communities are available to all alumni without regard to any category protected by the law. The University believes different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds are critical to a dynamic and vibrant University community, and as such all alumni are welcome and encouraged to join each club, group, or community..
What is a Global Ambassador?
A Global Ambassador is a volunteer who serves as a liaison for Northwestern University and the NAA in a targeted geographical city, region, or country—in the United States and abroad. Our goal is to have an Ambassador in each location where Northwestern alumni live to help us create a true global alumni association. In cooperation with NAA staff, Global Ambassadors assist the NAA in supporting alumni in meaningful ways that strengthen their lifelong connection with Northwestern and positively impact both the individual and the University.
- Serve as a key resource for alumni and members of the Northwestern community in the region
- Welcome, advise, and support those who are new to the area, including alumni, current students, and parents, and help strengthen their connection to the University
- Allow the NAA to share contact and location information on public-facing pages of the NAA website and in Our Northwestern, the University’s online alumni community
- Support other NAA and Northwestern University-sponsored activities and initiatives
- Identify opportunities for developing awareness around University priorities and global initiatives as requested; help local alumni understand the importance of philanthropy
- Support communications and the profile of Northwestern’s alumni community by sharing alumni stories
- Participate in the Alumni Admission Council (AAC), including panel discussions, college fairs, and other events for prospective Northwestern students
- Provide information on the region to the NAA as requested
Expectations
- Provides support to the global alumni network
- Identify opportunities to profile and recognize alumni and highlight Northwestern’s work locally and globally
- Allow the NAA to share contact information with others in the community
- Promote local, global, and digital programming and initiatives launched by the NAA
- Work with NAA staff to identify regional opportunities; support Northwestern University administrators, faculty, or key stakeholders if and when they visit
- Coordinate and market a local Northwestern Connects gathering (held in January/February/March) and/or New Student Reception (held in late July/August) in the region in alignment with event parameters set by the NAA (*If applicable)
- Help keep Northwestern’s alumni database and records accurate and up to date
- Refer address and email updates to NAA staff as needed
- Submit local event information and attendance lists
- Complete an annual survey on activities in the region and experience as a volunteer
- Read and sign the Volunteer Code of Conduct and the Confidentiality Agreement
*Ambassadors are not required to plan alumni activities or events, although they are welcome to do so. If there is interest in planning events, please contact the NAA.
Recommended Skill Sets
- Relationship-building skills
- Builds and actively maintains working relationships and/or networks of contacts to further the NAA’s priorities
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Ability to speak positively and with knowledge about Northwestern University and the vision and mission of the NAA
Benefits
- Welcome kit of helpful resources and Northwestern/NAA information
- Global Alumni Ambassador lapel pin
- Access to regular NAA and Global Alumni Ambassador volunteer communications
Skills/Competencies Acquired
- Networking and relationship building
- Written and oral communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills
Time Commitment
- The Global Ambassador is appointed for a two-year term, renewable by the NAA. The NAA has the right to end an Ambassador’s service mid-term if the above expectations are not met.
- This is a responsive role, and time commitment will depend on the volume of requests, regional needs, and activity.
- There will be no more than two (2) Global Ambassadors per territory. Terms may not be renewable if there is a waitlist for the region.