About the program

Be seen. Be heard. Be a UC student advocate.

Through virtual monthly meetings led by UC staff, Ambassadors will learn about the UCAN program, and how it fits into UC advocacy and the legislative process. Ambassadors will come to understand how state and federal legislation and policies – including budget processes – impact the University. Ambassadors will also put their new skills to use by increasing student awareness of and participation in UCAN campaigns and deepening UCAN’s engagement on social media platforms.

Ambassadors who meet key program criteria will be eligible to join advocacy trips to Sacramento and/or Washington, D.C., with eligible expenses covered. During these events, Ambassadors will meet directly with legislators and their staffs – sharing their story while advancing UC priorities! *

What Ambassadors do

• Learn about the UC Advocacy Network and grassroots advocacy in general so you can increase student awareness and participation in UCAN.

• Work with UC advocacy teams to understand how state and federal legislation and policies—including budget processes—impact the UC system.

• Encourage student action on state and federal advocacy campaigns. Ambassadors help mobilize students and others to get involved in digital campaigns that support University priorities. Including but not limited to:

  • Social media engagement

  • Coordination with clubs and organizations

  • Tabling

  • Class presentations

  • Publicizing campaigns around campus

• Ambassadors who meet key program criteria will be eligible to join advocacy trips to Sacramento and/or Washington, D.C. advocacy trips where they will meet directly with legislators and their staffs on behalf of UCAN. *

  • The time commitment will vary from month to month. Program participants can reliably expect to attend an hour-long meeting each month, spend one hour with campus government relations staff, spend 3-5 hours holding tabling events on campus or attending other events to help expand UCAN campaign support, and other activities suggested and led by you!

At the end of the program, Ambassadors will:

• Have a deeper understanding about state and federal legislative processes.

• Understand how grassroots advocacy campaigns are developed.

• Feel prepared to participate in legislative advocacy meetings and events.

• Gain resume-building experience in public affairs and advocacy.

• Be able to apply news skills outside of the Ambassador program!

Qualifications

• The UCAN ambassador program is open to all University of California undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

• No prior student government or advocacy experience is required.

Applications for the 2024-25 program year are now closed. Applications will reopen summer 2025.

For more information contact the UC Advocacy Team at advocacy@ucop.edu.

*Ambassadors must meet the eligibility criteria to participate in the Sacramento and/or Washington, D.C. trips. This includes, but is not limited to, actively participating in all UCAN outreach and campaign activities and attending the kick-off meeting as well as a majority of the virtual meetings unless excused. Accepted student Ambassadors will receive more information on the criteria. Trip expenses associated with travel, lodging and food are included with the program.