Campus Voting Ambassador

Job Title: Andrew Goodman Foundation Campus Ambassador                                    

Department: Community & Business Engagement/College of Social Sciences and Professional Studies

Position Description: UW-Parkside will hire two Campus Voting Ambassadors for the 2024-2025 academic year who will work together to coordinate and promote campus-wide efforts to educate and register voters and empower students to be agents of social change. Campus Voting Ambassadors will serve as advocates and champions for civic engagement inspiring other students to contribute their voices and build a healthier democracy. This is a campus employment position that takes place entirely at UW-Parkside.

These positions are made possible by the Andrew Goodman Foundation (AGF), which is a national organization that supports youth leadership development, voting accessibility, and social justice initiatives on campuses across the country. They will receive orientation, training, support and guidance from AGF as well as from campus supervisors. This position also has the potential to count as an internship for the right student - earn credit, get paid, and make a difference on campus!

High Impact Practice Statement: By incorporating classroom learning into hands-on work experience as well as providing supervision and coaching, students gain necessary tools to grow and contribute as professionals.

Position Tasks (and corresponding NACE Career Readiness Competencies)

Critical Thinking:

1.     Work with campus supervisors to develop a work plan to engage students in non-partisan voter registration, education and getting out the vote.

2.     Research practices at other campuses across the country to inform planning and implementation of activities.

Communication:

1.     Articulate the mission and vision of Vote Everywhere by connecting on-campus efforts to the history of the US Civil Rights Movement and the legacy of Goodman, Schwener and Chaney.

2.     Devise and implement promotional activities to reach out to students to attend events and to vote including, but not limited to, social media, posters, tabling, etc.

3.     Make presentations to student organizations and classes to educate students about voting and social justice issues and to recruit volunteers.

4.     Write engaging articles or blog post and/or participate in campus media interviews to get out the word.

5.     Compose and submit an end-of-year report summarizing activities and accomplishments.

Teamwork:

1.     Work as the campus team to plan and implement campus events for voter registration, voter education and other topics.

2.     Organize, partner and mobilize like-minded student organizations/departments and external community organizations to plan and deliver programs around voting and social issues.

Technology:

1.     Use social media to promote voting and related events.

2.     Coordinate and lead virtual meetings and events, as needed.

3.     Update and submit the AGF Activity Log Sheet; documenting number of students reached, activities completed, and number of voter registrations.

Leadership:

1.     Recruit and mentor volunteers and future Campus Ambassadors.

Professionalism:

1.     Demonstrate punctuality for meetings and complete work assignments in timely manner.

2.     Treat students, faculty, staff, and community members with respect.

3.     Complete assignments with minimal direct supervision.

Equity & Inclusion:

1.     Interact with students and faculty in a diverse university setting.

2.     Approach all activities with an equity lens and promote voting with a non-partisan approach.

Qualifications/Requirements:

·      Excellent writing and public speaking skills

·      Research skills

·      Commitment to educating peers about the importance of voter registration and becoming an informed voter

·      Self-starter who takes initiative to develop and implement their work plans

·      Online organizing and social media skills are preferred, but not required

·      Access to an electronic device such as a computer or tablet and a stable internet connection

·      Willingness to participate in initial orientation/training, and maintain regular contact with AGF staff and campus liaisons throughout the Ambassadorship

This position will report to the Director of Community and Business Engagement and Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Professional Studies and will have flexible work hours, averaging 5-10 hours per week.