Student Ambassador (Public Speaking & PR)

Student Ambassador (Public Speaking & PR)

Multiple Openings

Academic Year (10 Months)
August 1, 2025 to May 30, 2026

Description

The Neurodiversity Alliance’s Student Ambassador Program is an opportunity for current participants across our programs to tell their story on a virtual or in-person stage to increase awareness of The Neurodiversity Alliance’s mission and impact, highlight the diversity of neurodivergent lived experiences, and showcase the power of advocacy by speaking on behalf of the organization.

Ambassadors will work alongside ND Alliance national staff mentors to speak at virtual and in-person engagements and represent The Neurodiversity Alliance in various media interviews and appearances, with or without staff joining them. This could range from a panel with other students,  giving a presentation on stage for a keynote or on Zoom for a webinar, attending events on behalf of ND Alliance, tabling with staff at a conference, or being part of a conference workshop alongside our staff.

Given the real-time nature of speaking engagements and interview bookings, we can make no guarantee to Ambassadors on the amount, timing, or focus of speaking engagements or interviews they may be asked to participate in. We require Ambassadors to have flexibility in their scheduling to be able to attend such events with a few weeks notice.  Ambassadors will receive training and coaching to develop their public speaking and interviewing skills and prepare slide decks or other materials required for speaking engagements or interviews.

General Qualifications

• Be between the ages of 16 and 26 and enrolled in high school or college for the 2025-26 school year for all student leadership roles.
• Have a personal connection to Neurodiversity, either through your own lived experience or as an ally to friends and family members. Note: Priority is given to candidates who identify as neurodivergent, including one or more challenges related to learning, such as Dyslexia, ADHD, Processing Disorders, Autism, or similar learning disabilities or challenges.
• Be available to attend our in-person National Neurodiversity Leadership Summit in Denver, CO on August 7-10, 2025  (all expenses paid for by The ND Alliance).
• Be able to commit at least 10 hours per month for Academic Year roles.
• Pass a criminal history check and complete an IRS Form W-9 prior to the start date.
• Be passionate about the mission, vision, and goals of The ND Alliance with a commitment to our values of inclusion and community.
• Be comfortable serving as a public representative and ambassador of The ND Alliance’s mission by representing the organization and community in a positive light.
• Be able to communicate ideas and engage with your peers and staff in a productive and collaborative working environment through whatever format works best for you.
• Be accountable to deadlines and follow through on your responsibilities and projects, including asking for clarification, help, or accommodations when needed.

Role-Specific Qualifications

• Current or prior involvement in The Neurodiversity Alliance programming, including The ND Alliance Clubs, Eye to Eye Mentoring, and other leadership roles.
• Experience in or a desire for growing in public speaking, public relations, communications or marketing including speeches, presentations, panels, performances, or other forms of storytelling.
• Comfortability traveling independently across the country for events, including taking flights, ordering rideshares, checking into hotels, and arriving to events on time.
• Comfortability interacting with diverse audiences, and consistent executive functioning skills to manage complex logistics and scheduling.

Commitment & Responsibilities

The Student Ambassador position is a 10-month commitment beginning August 1, 2025 and continuing until May 30, 2026. During this commitment, you will be expected to:

• Attend 60-minute virtual meetings twice a month – date/time to be determined
• Commit 10 hours per month on various projects and assignments related to the role to be assigned and tracked with your staff mentor.
• Attend the Neurodiversity Alliance National Summit from August 7-10, 2025.
  • Travel, meals, and expenses related to attending the Neurodiversity Alliance National Summit will be paid for by The Neurodiversity Alliance.

Additional Compensation

Student Speaking Ambassadors have the opportunity to earn additional compensation on a per-appearance basis for virtual and in-person speaking engagements:

• $50 for a virtual speaking engagement or interview (includes preparation and debrief calls)
• $200 for an in-person speaking engagement or interview, plus all travel expenses (includes preparation and debrief calls)