Ambassadors link students, alumni
Programs foster interaction with former Bruins
By Rashmi Nijagal
In this world where who you know often seems more important than
what you know, a variety of organizations on campus are helping to
introduce students to alumni and life after UCLA.
The need for student-alumni interaction has led to the
development of the UCLA Ambassador Program. Created last year, the
program builds bridges between students, alumni, donors and friends
of the university.
Student ambassadors are sent to events where they are given the
opportunity to answer questions about the university and express
their own views to alumni and donors.
"What makes this program unique is that we are invited to go to
events where students typically aren’t present," said Peter
Hayashida, assistant director for the Advisory and Scholarship
Program of the UCLA Alumni Association and ambassador program
advisor. "The ambassadors play an active role in engaging in
dialogue with alumni, donors and friends of the university."
Organizers try to attract a diverse group by opening ambassador
positions to any UCLA student in good standing. Applications are
reviewed, and selected applicants participate in a day-long
interview.
"It is a highly selective recruitment process," said Erica
Mannard, a third-year communication studies and political science
major and UCLA ambassador. "We are trained to understand what is
happening with the administration, various projects and the campus.
So, when we talk to alumni and donors, we can give informed answers
to their questions."
The ambassadors are now concentrating on publicity and outreach
since recruitment begins in spring quarter. They are also looking
forward to participating in a legislative conference in March.
"The alumni response is really positive," said Jennifer Sachs, a
fourth-year biology student and ambassador. "The group is
well-trained and knowledgeable so they (alumni) get a feel of what
UCLA is like now."
An organization with similar goals is the Students Alumni
Association (SAA), which is currently coordinating the Dinners for
12 Strangers program. Through these dinners, students have the
opportunity to meet with alumni, faculty and fellow students in
homes of alumni.
Workshops for students are also held every Wednesday night where
alumni from different professions come talk to students. In
addition, the student association sponsors major events such as
Spring Sing and Homecoming, which involve a great deal of alumni
participation.
"It is a great experience for UCLA students to interact with
alumni," said Dennis "Buzz" Chapman, a fourth year sociology major
and SAA president. "Students have the opportunity to learn a lot,
and these programs also give alumni a reason to keep coming back.
Such traditions should be kept alive and going strong."
Students are not the only ones who benefit from such
interaction. A study conducted a few years ago by Alumni and
Students Programs showed that about 3,000 alumni are heavily
involved with the university, while 17,000 have been involved in
some way or another.
"When you graduate, your experience at UCLA doesn’t end," said
Keith Brant, director of Alumni and Student Programs. "These
programs help alumni to keep in touch with the university."