The overall goal of the Ambassador/Liaison Program is to foster increased and enhanced communication across units within University Services. Other goals include leveraging fresh perspectives in generating new ideas and suggestions for organizational initiatives. Each group is assigned at least two Ambassadors, and at least one Liaison. For a full list of Ambassadors, Liaisons and the groups to which they provide outreach, please click here.
Ambassadors serve as key communicators through outreach, and promotion and participation in programs that relate to D&I and other organizational initiatives. Ambassadors serve a vital role in support of the University Services Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
Liaisons serve as a channel of communication between units and their respective University Services Ambassadors; liaisons act as a significant link/conduit between units and Ambassadors. Liaisons serve as an on-site/in-unit representative for the University Services Ambassador/Liaison Program. Similar to Ambassadors, this is a volunteer, non-paying role.
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How does the Ambassador/Liaison Program work?
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- Each Ambassador is paired with a Leadership Team member and assigned to a University Services group outside of their own units. Each group will ideally be between approximately 15 and 20 people. Units that have fewer than 10 people may be combined with another similarly sized unit. Larger units will be divided into multiple groups.
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Ambassadors will be the main contact for their assigned groups regarding the D&I initiative.
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Ambassadors will have a series of meetings with DISC and others where they can ask questions and learn about our D&I initiative. It is anticipated that individuals will practice and role-play scenarios so everyone is comfortable with how outreach meetings may proceed.
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Ambassadors, as well as the Leadership Team members they are paired with, will be provided with sufficient information and tools in order to communicate with their groups. A set of materials and resources (toolkit) will be made available to Ambassadors—in advance of their outreach meetings as well as online—including but not limited to:
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“A Guide to the University Services Diversity and Inclusion Plan,” a condensed version of the full D&I plan, along with a brief video that will be distributed to the entire staff prior to the rollout
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A PowerPoint presentation and talking points in order to keep a consistent message
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FAQs including anticipated questions Ambassadors may receive during Outreach. Ambassadors will continue to serve as topic experts regarding the D&I initiative and maintain ongoing conversations.
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Who are Ambassadors?
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- Members of the University Services Leadership Team make up one-half of the Ambassadors
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Volunteers from the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC), Employee Advisory Group (EAG) and the Mid-level Managers Group account for a plurality of Ambassadors partnered with those from the Leadership Team.
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What do Ambassadors do?
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- After receiving ample information from attending learning sessions, Ambassadors serve as points of contact for the University Services D&I plan
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Act as a key intermediary between units within University Services, Liaisons, and the DISC
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Conduct outreach across University Services units and serve as the frontline communicators for the D&I initiative
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Present and disseminate information on the D&I initiative
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Engage and connect with members of their assigned group
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Facilitate conversations/discussions
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Identify potential ideas, strategies, and programs for enhancing the D&I initiative
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Report back to the DISC and other Ambassadors on themes, topics, and concerns that they hear from their assigned groups
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Participate and provide assistance in D&I-related programs and activities
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What do Liaisons do?
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- Communicate, promote, and disseminate information related to the D&I initiative to colleagues
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Provide reminders to colleagues within your unit of University Services events and programs, including Ambassador Outreach sessions, town halls, professional development opportunities, etc.
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Share information, feedback, and raise concerns on behalf of unit colleagues
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Meet and engage with Ambassadors for the respective unit
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Attend an outreach preparation session once a semester
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Maintain status as an employee in good standing
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Honor confidentiality of all meeting conversations
The Ambassador & Liaison program is coordinated by the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee Ambassador & Liaison Subcommittee.
Julie Whalen - Chair, Ambassador & Liaison Subcommittee
Saleem Curry - Advisor, Ambassador & Liaison Subcommittee
Lindsay Hanson - Archivist, Ambassador & Liaison Subcommittee
Aaron Sked - Coordinator, Ambassador & Liaison Subcommittee
Nicole Mclean - Campus Dining Liaison Lead, Ambassador & Liaison Subcommittee
Please contact Ambassador & Liaison Subcommittee Chair (DISC), Julie Whalen ([email protected]) or Ambassador & Liaison Subcommittee Advisor (DISC), Saleem Curry ([email protected]) if you have questions about the Ambassador & Liaison Program.