UCGHI Student Ambassador Program Call for Applications

The University of California Global Health Institute (UCGHI) is seeking applicants across all University of California campuses and partnering with Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), for its 2023-2024 Student Ambassador Program. 

This remote leadership opportunity is open to all UC and CDU students from various disciplines (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from medical, nursing, law, social sciences, art, etc.) who are dedicated to personal and professional growth by serving and representing their respective campus. UCGHI Student Ambassadors will learn about, organize, and promote UCGHI and its Centers’ (Center for Gender and Health Justice, Center for Planetary Health, and Center for Health Workforce Equity) activities on UC campuses. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to engage with key researchers (faculty, staff, students) and leaders in global health while also expanding student professional networks. The Student Ambassador Program will demonstrate the multidisciplinary nature of global health by providing students exposure to a broad range of topics, including planetary health, gender justice, health equity, and more.

Persons with disabilities, Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native, First-Generation students, and LGBTQ+ students are strongly encouraged to apply. While UCGHI welcomes Student Ambassador alumni to apply, preference will be given to new students who have not yet participated in the program. UCGHI encourages Student Ambassador alumni to consider applying for the Lead Student Ambassador position, a special leadership opportunity to support program coordination and to work closely with UCGHI and Center leadership.

Applications are open for the 2023-2024 Lead Student Ambassador position. This position is open to all previous UCGHI undergraduate, graduate, or professional student ambassadors. 

Program Goals:

  • To educate Ambassadors on global health issues with focuses on the subject areas covered by Center for Planetary Health (CPH), Center for Gender and Health Justice (CGHJ), and Center for Health Workforce Equity (HEAL Initiative)
  • To integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in global health through a social justice framework, including decolonizing global health and advancing racial equity
  • To actively acknowledge, identify, and dismantle power structures that carry legacies of racism, imperialism, and colonialism in global health through collective dialogue
  • To connect students and faculty/staff across college campuses
  • To amplify student voices through UCGHI’s social media platforms
  • To create professional growth opportunities for student ambassadors such as student engagement opportunities and internship opportunities

As a Student Ambassador:

In addition to learning about global health, students will develop a wide range of transferable skills. Student Ambassadors will benefit by getting involved in the campus community, gaining knowledge and expertise on global health topics, interacting with UCGHI, including attending UC Global Health Day 2024, collaborating with campus leaders and faculty members from across the UC, and gaining leadership and advocacy skills.

Student Ambassadors will:

  • Serve as a UCGHI student ambassador from October 2023 – June 2024 and promote UCGHI and global health on your respective campus(es).
  • Participate in a variety of UCGHI opportunities such as contributing to UCGHI's social media and blog and supporting UCGHI events, including UC Global Health Day 2024 in Los Angeles. Student Ambassadors will be notified about calls for exciting opportunities to get involved, including optional internship and student engagement opportunities.
  • Commit 1-2 hours per week to the program.
  • Participate in all monthly educational webinars and networking events and complete monthly post-webinar surveys (watch recordings for missed webinars).
  • Connect with diverse and dynamic students and experts in the field across 10 UC campuses, UC Law San Francisco and Charles R. Drew University.
  • Submit a final project and participate in the virtual Student Ambassadors Showcase in June 2024.
  • Receive a Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the program.
    • Additional benefits include: networking, mentoring, possible letters of recommendation, etc.

Qualifications:

  • Applicants must be currently enrolled at a UC campus (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, medical, nursing, law, etc.) or partnering Historically Black College & University (i.e., Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science)
  • Exhibit leadership, initiative, dependability, curiosity, and enthusiasm for global health
  • UCGHI is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. Applicants are requested to include in their application essay responses how they will further this goal
  • Demonstrate strong communication (written and verbal), including responsiveness to email communication
  • Ability to commit to 1-2 hours of work per week for duration of the program and commit to fulfilling requirements of the program

Student Ambassador Stipend

UCGHI will be providing $250 stipends to participating student ambassadors upon successful completion of the program’s requirements. Important note: Student ambassadors who are employed by the University of California and paid through UC Path will receive a $250 stipend excluding taxes.  Please note that being a UC employee does not disqualify you from participating in the program.

UCGHI Centers

Student Ambassadors will be introduced to the CGHJ leadership team and the Center’s signature research projects and will learn about issues related to gender and health justice. Students will have the opportunity to develop, implement and promote activities that address gender and health justice, campus-based sexual assault and dating violence through research, and research related to medication abortion. 

The Center for Gender and Health Justice envisions a world in which equitable gender norms lead to healthy and empowered people — including UC students. The Center promotes research, education and community engagement both globally and locally to reduce gender and health inequities.

Student Ambassadors will be introduced to the Center for Planetary Health leadership team and the Center’s education and training initiatives. Students will have the opportunity to develop, organize and promote PH activities on UC campuses to expand knowledge of PH issues, mobilize student, faculty and staff involvement in PH initiatives, and catalyze critical change. This is an opportunity to become a leader that can balance the needs of populations and the planet.

The Center for Planetary Health envisions a healthy planet supporting healthy people. The Center has the ability to galvanize faculty, researchers, and students across the ten UC campuses to address the threats and opportunities surrounding the health of populations and their environments and develop effective solutions. 

Student Ambassadors will be introduced to the Center for Health Workforce Equity (HEAL Initiative) leadership team and the Center’s fellowships and training initiatives. Students will have the opportunity to learn about global health equity and HEAL projects in the community, at the clinical level, in research, and in teaching.

The Center for Health Workforce Equity believes health is achievable for even the most vulnerable populations in our world when we apply principles of equity, justice, and solidarity. The Center trains and transforms front line health professionals through building a community dedicated to serving the underserved as their lifelong choice.

Application Procedure:

The application opens Monday, August 7th, 2023 at 12:01 am PT. Be prepared to submit a current resume/CV and respond in 500 words or less to the following essay questions:

  1. What skills, experiences and interests would you bring to the Student Ambassador program? UCGHI is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive educational environment. How will you advance this goal as an ambassador?
  2. Why would you like to be a UCGHI Student Ambassador at your campus?
  3. How would you describe racial and social injustices as a global health issue?

To apply, please use this application link.

2023-2024 Student Ambassador Program Application Deadline: 
Friday, September 15th, 2023 at 11:59 pm PT

While completing the application, you will have the option to apply for the Lead Student Ambassador Position using the same application link. To learn more about the Lead Student Ambassador Position, click here.

Apply To Become a Student Lead For The Program!

The 2023-2024 Lead Student Ambassador position is open to all previous UCGHI undergraduate, graduate, or professional student ambassadors. Students who previously participated in the Student Ambassador Program and are dedicated to personal and professional growth by serving and representing their respective UC campuses and partnering HBCU are encouraged to apply. This UCGHI Lead Student Ambassador will develop, organize, and promote activities within the program, on their campuses and across all UC campuses while mobilizing student, faculty and staff involvement. This is an exciting and unique leadership opportunity to work closely with the UCGHI Core Team, researchers, and UCGHI leaders while also strengthening your professional networks.

Eligible UCGHI Lead Student Ambassadors will receive a $2,500 stipend at the end of the program. Interested program alumni will be able to apply via the main application. 

Learn more about the UCGHI Lead Student Ambassador Position.

For questions or more information contact:
UCGHI Communications Specialist, Stephanie Sumstine-Felice, MPH (Stephanie.Sumstine-Felice@ucop.edu).