Ambassadors Sought for New Employee Program

UC Merced's Human Resources is changing the way new employees are brought aboard when they join the campus, and departmental representatives will be sought to serve as ambassadors for the new program when it launches in May.

The program, called Build Your Network (BYN), is a once-a-month world café, focused on a topic of relevance to transitioning new employees into the UC Merced campus culture. BYN will begin at New Employee Orientation (NEO) with an interactive discussion, then continue as a monthly program. Topics for this program will align to NEO’s mission of promoting a culture of inquiry, discovery and learning and engaging and retaining exceptional employees.

Experienced UC Merced staff members, who will be known as ambassadors, will help facilitate monthly programs and offer social, cultural and professional guidance and feedback for newcomers. Ambassadors will be appointed by the BYN committee — comprising Human Resources, the Office of Campus Climate and Staff Assembly — via Staff Assembly’s Call for Committee process. New employees will continue to be invited to the monthly sessions for up to six months.

Those who are interested in serving as ambassadors must submit applications by 5 p.m. March 1.

Twelve selected ambassadors will have received at least “meets expectations” ratings on their most recent performance evaluations and will have a minimum of one year of service at UC Merced. Each applicant is asked to secure his or her supervisor’s permission for release time before submitting an application. The following information must be included with all applications:

• Name
• Unit
• Years of service

Each applicant must provide specific, detailed and thoughtful answers to the questions below and demonstrate how his or her experience will support NEO’s mission of promoting a culture of inquiry, discovery and learning and engaging and retaining exceptional employees:

1. Why do you want to be an ambassador?

2. List your current or recent volunteer and/or committee service.

3. List your UC Merced, UC-wide or other higher education mentoring or leadership experience.

4. Attach your current resume or CV.

Applications must be submitted to the Staff Assembly email address by 5 p.m. March 1. For more information, contact Rachael Martin.