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Public Health & Society

Student Ambassadors

Become the Face of Public Health & Society

Public Health & Society Student Ambassadors serve as public-facing representatives of the program both digitally and in person. The Student Ambassadors enhance the visibility of Public Health & Society, promote the principles of public health, and develop as effective health communicators.

Ambassadors take an active role in shaping the student experience. Student Ambassadors:

  • speak in classes and at events on campus
  • create and appear in social media content
  • and help plan community-building activities. 

This role combines public speaking, digital storytelling, and event planning while building professional skills in communication, collaboration, and leadership. 

This is a paid student employment opportunity.

Student Ambassadors posing at last year's Major Minor Fair
Student Ambassadors at the Major Minor Fair in 2024

Applications are due by September 3, 2026

Start your Public Health & Society Student Ambassador journey today!

Apply Here

What does a Public Health & Society Student Ambassador do?

  1. Public Speaking

Student Ambassadors introduce students to Public Health & Society through classroom visits and at campus events. You will answer questions about the major and minor, help students imagine a place for themselves within our program, and represent Public Health & Society professionally.

  1. Social Media & Digital Storytelling

Students consistently respond best to content created by other students. For that reason, you will play a central role in creating content for the Public Health & Society Instagram account. You will appear on camera in Instagram Reels and other content, help develop content ideas, and film short-form videos.

  1. Event Planning

Student Ambassadors help strengthen community among Public Health & Society students. You will plan at least one social event each semester, assist with National Public Health Week programming (in April), and help promote Public Health & Society events throughout the year.

Employment Information

Cohort Size: 6-8 Student Ambassadors

Time Commitment: Approximately 5-10 hours per week. Both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.

Compensation: $15 per hour

Supervisor: Dr. T.R. Kidder

Meetings: Fridays 1-2PM, as scheduled, must attend in person. Meetings are mostly every other week. There are additional on-campus events outside of meetings that are strongly encouraged. 

Eligibility: any current WashU undergraduate student may apply. Preference is given to declared Public Health & Society majors.

Student Ambassadors are expected to:

  • Attend all required meetings
  • Work agreed-upon hours consistently
  • Communicate professionally with staff and peers
  • Represent the program accurately and positively

Because this is a paid employment role, attendance and follow-through are required. A student who routinely misses meetings, events, or assigned hours may be removed from the program.

Student Ambassadors tabling at the DUC in 2025
Student Ambassadors tabling at the DUC in 2025

Application Process

Applications consist of: a short online application and a 30-45 second video submission.

Application Video: "What Is Public Health & Society?"

Create a 30-45 second video answering the question: “What is Public Health & Society?”

Imagine that your video will be posted on the Public Health & Society Instagram account and viewed by fellow WashU students who know little or nothing about the program.

Your goal is not to recite information. Your goal is to help students understand Public Health & Society in a way that is clear, engaging, and accurate.

What should you talk about?

There is no single correct answer. Focus on one aspect of Public Health & Society that you find meaningful or interesting.

Possible topics include:

  • The structure of the major and minor
  • Required courses and electives
  • The APEX internship requirement for majors
  • The emphasis on social, cultural, and historical contexts
  • Interdisciplinary learning
  • A Public Health & Society course you have taken or are excited to take

Don’t try to cover it all. Choose one angle and explain it well.

Video Requirements

The video must be 30-45 seconds long and filmed vertically. You must appear on camera and introduce yourself. Answer the prompt in a way that is accurate and appropriate for a public-facing university Instagram account.

If you want to, you can film around campus, edit your video, add captions, include creative transitions, and incorporate graphics or photos. You can include other people in the video. We are not looking for professional video production. We are looking for creativity, effort, audience awareness, and effective communication.

Why Are We Asking for a Video?

The video serves as a work sample. Student Ambassadors regularly create content for the Public Health & Society Instagram account, and we want the application process to reflect your actual responsibilities.

We want to know if you are comfortable appearing on camera. Can you explain an idea clearly? Can you create content that students will actually want to watch? Can you communicate information about Public Health & Society accurately?

We may choose to post some of the application videos on our Instagram!

Hiring Timeline

Applications Open: August 2026

Application Deadline: September 3, 2026

Training Begins: September 11, 2026

Questions?

Reach out to AJ Short, with any questions about the Public Health & Society Student Ambassador program or the application process.

read about last year's Student Ambassadors accomplishments

Ready to Apply?

Applications are due by September 3, 2026

Apply Here