NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps Student Ambassador

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on your community and the health of your fellow citizens? Do you want to be a part of a dynamic and inspiring team dedicated to improving public health across the nation? The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) invites you to become a Public Health AmeriCorps Student Ambassador!

NACDD is a national public health non-profit agency focused on the health of the public by strengthening state and national leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control. It’s core membership is composed of the 58 State and Territorial Health Department Chronic Disease Directors and their staff who protect the health of the public through primary and secondary prevention efforts and work “upstream” on root causes of chronic conditions. NACDD promotes health and reduces the burden of chronic disease through various programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity and the Division of Population Health, and a team of nationally recognized experts. 

To enhance public health resources across the country and support state and local public health settings respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) program supports the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders. In partnership with a State Health Department or similar agency, local health department(s) or other community-based organization(s), and/or a local YMCA or YMCA State Alliance, Service Members will be placed across fifteen states to advance existing efforts around food and nutrition security, safe physical activity access, social connectedness, and health equity, all within the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public Health AmeriCorps Student Ambassador Roles and Responsibilities

The primary role of NACDD’s Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) Student Ambassador is to identify qualified student applicants through classroom, professional, and/or social club settings, or personal contacts, and encourage them to apply to NACDD’s PHA program. Key responsibilities of the role include: 

• Leverage provided information from NACDD to deliver engaging 10-15-minute presentations in public health or related courses to promote NACDD's PHA program
• Engage with campus public health or affiliated student groups, both professional and social, to identify and recruit prospective candidates
• Disseminate NACDD's PHA promotional resources to increase awareness of the program 
• Regularly update and submit logs that detail classroom outreach, engagements with student groups, and contacts of interested students
• Participate in monthly meetings with NACDD PHA leadership team to review recruitment progress, address challenges, and determine any additional support requirements

PHA Student Ambassador Eligibility & Requirements 

PHA Student Ambassadors must 

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate or Master level students pursuing a public health degree or related degree
• Must commit to serve as a PHA Student Ambassador for at least 2 semesters or the equivalent if college operates on quarters or trimesters

PHA Student Ambassador Benefits

Serving as a PHA Student Ambassador offers a range of benefits such as: 

• Professional Development: An opportunity to enhance your resume, and showcase leadership, initiative, and dedication to public health
• Enhanced Communication Skills: Regular delivery of presentations and interactions with peers will provide Ambassadors with an opportunity to sharpen their communication and public speaking skills 
• Enhanced Teamwork and Collaboration Skills: Working closely with other Ambassadors, NACDD PHA leadership team, and potential recruits can hone teamwork and collaborative skills 
• Insight into Public Health AmeriCorps: Close association with NACDDs PHA program provides Ambassadors with an in-depth understanding of Public Health AmeriCorps, which could be beneficial if they wish to join in the future