The Neighborhood Ambassadors (NAs) function under the direction and guidance of the Off-Campus Area Coordinator. The Ambassadors’ primary responsibilities consist of serving as a liaison between students, Santa Clara University, City of Santa Clara residents and City of Santa Clara officials. This position allows greater transparency between SCU administration, Campus Safety, the Santa Clara Police Department, and students. We work with administrators to discuss how this position allows us to make improvements in the community. Additionally, we work to further develop the community by serving off-campus students in larger capacities, which includes engaging in the transition to full adulthood and self-dependence.
Job Responsibilities
Leadership
- Serve as a role model for responsible behavior, personal integrity, maturity, and commitment to Jesuit philosophy of education of the whole person, both on-campus and off-campus.
- Exercise good judgment and ethical decision-making, both on and off-campus.
- Facilitate a positive environment where residents are held accountable in a manner that fosters respect and dignity for all involved.
- Act as a liaison between students, City of Santa Clara residents, the University, and City of Santa Clara officials.
- Be knowledgeable about University policies, including those outlined in the Student Handbook, and encourage responsible citizenship through adherence to these standards.
- *Act as the primary lead for an assigned section of off-campus students living in the City of Santa Clara, conducting regular outreach, proactive support, education, and community engagement.
- Provide peer education and build community through day-to-day contact with students.
Community Development
- Provide referrals to on-campus resources for students with academic, personal, social, and financial concerns and report referrals to their supervisor.
- Promote an understanding of responsible neighborhood living that respects the rights of others and supports students' social and academic goals.
- Participate in setting objectives in relation to student needs and plan and implement specific opportunities (educational, social, recreational, religious, or cultural) related to student interests or needs.
- Foster community through the intentional usage of appropriate programmatic initiatives.
- Provide mediation for off-campus housing disputes, with a focus on fostering positive academic and personal outcomes for students.
Integrated Education
- Collaborate with the Off-Campus Area Coordinator and fellow Neighborhood Ambassadors to develop co-curricular programs that meet the needs of upper-class residents and enhance their community engagement.
- Refer students to campus events, service opportunities, and other resources.
- Promote activities and resources that enhance academic success.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Support University administrative policies while advocating for students by guiding them on how to address policy, facilities, or event-related concerns.
- Maintain a friendly and professional attitude as a representative of the Off-Campus Living Office through all forms of communication (i.e. in-person, social media, phone, email, videoconferencing).
- Assist in the upkeep of the Off-Campus Living Office by completing in-person office hours, answering the office phone and email, completing assigned projects, and required paperwork in a timely and thorough manner.
- Attend Staff Meetings, Supervisory Meetings, Liaison Meetings, NURC meetings, and City of Santa Clara meetings, as assigned by the Off-Campus Area Coordinator.
- Collaborate with ASG on projects and initiatives that address the needs of off-campus students and foster connections with the Santa Clara community.
- Disseminate campus and City of Santa Clara information to residents, attend and participate in staff training sessions, in-services, and workshops.
- Report directly to the Off-Campus Area Coordinator. Participate in evaluation procedures, including self-evaluation and student evaluations.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Off-Campus Area Coordinator, Assistant Dean for Off-Campus Student Life, and other administrators in the Division of Student Life.
- Behave according to all policies and standards of behavior as outlined in the Student Handbook.
- Serve as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and comply with reporting obligations under the Clery Act when informed of certain incidents.
- Serve as a responsible employee for allegations regulated under Title IX.
For assistance from our NAs, or to find out how to become one, please contact us at offcampusliving@scu.edu.