PROGRAM OVERVIEW

A Student Ambassador for ABPA promotes ABPA’s mission and values on his or her college campus. The Ambassador serves as a representative for ABPA and acts as a reference point for fellow students and career service officials who are interested in learning about ABPA’s Internship Placement Program. ABPA has only one Student Ambassador on a college campus for each academic year, so this position is very important!

DESCRIPTION

In addition to representing ABPA at campus events and acting as a point of contact for interested students, Student Ambassadors also engage in classroom visits. At each visit and event, an ambassador should highlight:

• ABPA’s mission
• How the ABPA Internship Placement Program works
• The application process and eligibility requirements for the program
• Potential placement options & ABPA’s high-profile partners!

Following each classroom visit and event, a brief document should be submitted providing a summary and citing the date, time, and location. Any notable organizations or students who indicated interest must also be mentioned in the document.

HOW CAN I SUPPORT ABPA ON MY CAMPUS?

1. Organize an introductory session about ABPA
   • Spread the word about ABPA by targeting Arab-American students, Muslim students, students who speak or are learning Arabic, and students who are studying political science/international affairs
2. Distribute Brochures to Arab-American student organizations
   • Get to know the Arab-American student clubs on your campus and spread the word!
   • Ask Arab-American and Muslim student clubs to advertise ABPA
   • Hand out ABPA brochures and flyers in community halls, dorms, or spirituality centers

3. Develop relationships with Career Services Officials
   • Request that University Career services distribute announcements to college list-serves about ABPA’s internship placement program
   • Ask them about college venues and resources that could be mobilized to support ABPA’s recruitment efforts

4. Organize ABPA webinar/seminar professional development lectures on your campus
   
   • Thanks to ABPA’s Advisory Board members and the wide range of professionals in ABPA’s network, Student Ambassadors can and should ask ABPA’s central office to find an expert to deliver a lecture at your campus. For colleges/universities in DC region, ABPA is happy to organize seminars and workshops! For other universities, the lectures may be seminars or webinars, depending on the location of the campus and the availability of the speaker.

5. Start a Social Media campaign to promote ABPA
   • Make posts on all of ABPA’s social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Instagram. We will give you the log-in
   • Ask Arab-American Student organizations at your school to post on their platforms about ABPA’s opportunities
   • Consider sharing information about ABPA on your personal account!
   • Instagram is the most effective tool for reaching out to students. Encourage your friends to post about ABPA on their personal Instagram accounts!
   • Organize innovative social media campaigns that attract attention
   • If possible, take over ABPA’s Instagram for a period of time (a day, a week, etc.) to post about your campus, your classes, and ABPA!

6. Create WhatsApp groups and share ABPA’s opportunities
   • Sending private and targeted messages is a very effective strategy. Use Broadcast in WhatsApp and form a group that includes your student network! Share ABPA infographics that will be provided to you and do not forget to finish your messages with a note encouraging people to share the news.

7. Organize recruitment events at Career Fairs
   • Request a table for ABPA and recruit students 

8. Meet with Arab-American professors/faculty who teach subjects related to the Arab world
   • Provide faculty with ABPA’s booklet and send an introductory email to any applicable professors
   • Coordinate with professors to have them visit classes and talk about ABPA

9. Attend events planned by Arab clubs and promote ABPA’s Internship Placement Program (IPP)
   • Explain the IPP requirements, distribute brochures, distribute and collect Q&A cards

10. Meet with the Diplomat in Residence (DIR) in your locality to discuss ABPA!
    • Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers and Specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice on careers, internships, and fellowships to students and professionals in the communities they serve. DIRs are available to answer questions for those interested in Foreign and Civil Service careers, internships, and fellowships.
    • Find your own DIR contact info here: https://careers.state.gov/connect/dir/

11. Student Ambassadors in University of California system campuses (UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz) and University of Michigan should work in tandem with UCDC local campus representatives.
    • ABPA has a partnership with UCDC, which also hosts University of Michigan students in their Washington program. More details about the partnership will be provided to student ambassadors on these campuses.