What are the roles of a Global Alumni Ambassador?
A University of Arizona Global Network Alumni Ambassador is a volunteer willing to act as liaison for the University of Arizona and the University of Arizona Alumni Association (UAAA) in his/her region or country. The benefits of being an ambassador to both you and the University of Arizona are many.
Each Ambassador will play a unique role depending on individual preferences and expertise. Your roles may include:
- Identifying and connecting with alumni, friends, and affiliates who may live in your area
- Collecting names and contact information of these individuals in order to keep the University/Alumni Association database updated
- Strengthening alumni networks in your area, including promoting membership in the Arizona Alumni Association.
- Serving as a point of contact for the University of Arizona president, vice-presidents, deans, faculty, staff, alumni and students who may be visiting, returning to, or moving to your area
- Identifying opportunities for collaboration between the University and other institutions in your region, e.g. joint degrees, overseas study programs, etc.
- Identifying employment opportunities for Arizona alumni
- Serving as a local resource for study-abroad students studying in your area
- Helping with recruitment of students from your geographic area
- Identifying internships and study-abroad experiences in your region
- Apprising the University of local press coverage that may help foster the University's presence in your region
For further information about applying to become a University of Arizona Global Alumni Ambassador, please contact either Danny Vander Ploeg:
| University of Arizona International | |
|---|---|
| Danny Vander Ploeg Assistant Director, International Marketing and Communications University of Arizona Arizona International Phone: 1-520-626-9664 dvanderp@arizona.edu |
Meet your Global Alumni Ambassadors:
| Country | Photo | Bio |
|---|---|---|
|  | Brett Moore '10, Brisbane Brett earned a BS in regional development. While at the UA he played rugby and still follows Wildcat rugby. He is employed as a client manager for Urban Circus in Brisbane, Australia. Brett is eager to connect with other Wildcats living in or traveling to Australia, and has created LinkedIn accounts for Arizona Wildcats Biz Networks, University of Arizona Rugby, and University of Arizona – Australia Alumni. Contact Brett at Brettmoore587@gmail.com |
| | Mario F. Illanes ‘74, Valparaiso Mario graduated from the College of Business and Public Administration where he studied Labor Relations, Personnel Administration and Marketing. He also played Rugby. Mario is now retired. He is interested in developing Wildcat alumni networks in Chile. Contact Mario at rightdir@gmail.com |
|  | Si Xu ’10, Chengdu Si graduated with an MS in Environmental Engineering. After receiving his degree he lived briefly in Texas then returned home to Chengdu. He is now an engineering consultant. Si wants to develop a Wildcat network in Chengdu, work with new student recruitment, and be a contact for UA faculty and students who visit the region. Contact Si at superadamhsu@gmail.com |
|  | Desmond Fang ‘01, Shanghai Desmond is employed with AKP Capital and wants to give back to the UA by expanding the university’s presence in Asia. While studying at the Eller College, Desmond was active with Alpha Kappa Psi, Delta Sigma Phi, and the Order of Omega. Contact Desmond at desmond.fang@gmail.com |
 Germany |  | Jonathan Rummel '13, Berlin Jonathan graduated from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences with a degree in political science and Italian. He also was involved with the College of Humanities' Student Ambassadors and CIAO Italian Club. Jonathan currently lives in Berlin where he is studying at the Hertie School of Governance. Jonathan is eager to facilitate a strong and connected UA alumni network in Berlin and Germany. Contact Jonathan at j.rummel@mpp.hertie-school.org |
 Hong Kong | | Matthew Ryan, Hong Kong (Matthew's bio coming soon) |
|  | Ashok Ahuja ’65, New Delhi Ashok is self-employed as a consulting engineer. As a student he was active in sports and was named an honorary citizen of Tucson by the mayor of Tucson. Ashok would like to facilitate partnerships to enhance UA’s presence in India. Contact Ashok at ashahuja@gmail.com or +91.981.104.6387 Join the India network on LinkedIn. |
|  | Akash Jain ’10, Delhi Akash graduated from the Eller College of Management with an MBA, entrepreneurship. While he was at the UA he was active with Net Impact, Habitat for Humanity, and Business Case Competitions. He is co-founder of Reka Global Water Ltd. Akash would like to develop a UA Alumni Network in Delhi. Contact Akash at akashjain.aj@gmail.com Join the India network on LinkedIn. |
|  | Esterlyta "Lyta" Pandjaitan '01, Jakarta A member of the Indonesian Student Association while a student at the UA, Esterlyta “Lyta” Pandjaitan graduated from the College of Engineering in 2001 and is now a telecommunication consultant in Jakarta. She is connected with several Wildcat alumni in Jakarta, and she would like to reach out to the rest of the country to help Wildcats stay connected and support the UA in Indonesia. Contact Lyta at esterlyta.pandjaitan@gmail.com |
|  | Jim Gorman ’97, Dublin Earning a BS in Physiology from the College of Science, Jim competed on the Club rugby team and various other intramural sports. Jim is a senior health promotion officer at Health Service Executive in Dublin. He is interested in developing an alumni network in Ireland, acting as liaison for visiting faculty and students, and helping with new student recruitment. Contact Jim at jgorman_ua@yahoo.com |
| | Lili Sehayek Niv ‘98 Lili earned an LLM in International Trade Law from the James E. Rogers College of Law. She is currently enrolled in the law school’s Doctor of Juridical Science – SJD – in International Trade and Business Law. Lili is willing to help facilitate contacts and alumni networks in Israel. Don’t hesitate to contact her for any matter she can help with. Contact Lili at lilisn@email.arizona.edu |
|  | Masahiro Miki ’75, Tokyo Masa earned an MA in Economics. As a student he founded and was the first president of the Japanese student club. Masa is now executive advisor to Daitec, and serves in advisory positions to several other businesses. Masa would like to continue developing the alumni network in Tokyo, help with student recruitment, and be liaison for faculty and students visiting or living in the region. Contact Masa at Masahiro@tokyo.email.ne.jp |
|  | Ayman Abdulhamid ’85, Amman Ayman earned a BS in Electrical engineering. As a student he established the Jordanian Club. Ayman is now CEO of Bridges Group-Jordan, and his sons are UA students. Ayman would like to develop an alumni network in Jordan, help with student recruitment and be liaison for faculty and students visiting or living in the region. Contact Ayman at ayman@bridgestch.com |
 Kazakhstan |  | Arman Mussin '13, Nur-Sultan Arman graduated with a BA in Economics minoring in Business Administration in 2013 and was awarded a Certificate of Honorary Citizenship of Tucson by the city major the same year. He currently works in the Asian Development Bank Kazakhstan Resident Mission as a Consultant in Economics under the Knowledge and Experience Exchange Program. Arman is keen to contribute to the development of the Wildcat network in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, and help promote the university in the region, assisting UA faculty, staff, and students in residence or visiting. Contact Arman at arman.mussin89@gmail.com |
|  | Ken Cahall ’00, Daejeon Ken earned a BS in Regional Development and was engaged in a broad spectrum of activities as a student, ranging from astronomy club to comedy club and more. Ken is now an International Relations Associate at SolAsia, Woosong University in Daejeon. He says he looks forward to connecting with UA alumni living in or visiting Korea. Contact Ken at kencahall@woosong.org |
|  | Melchor Ivan Angulo '99, Los Mochis Melchor earned a BA in Economics and is now the CEO of Zima Consulting Group. As a UA student, he was active with the Mexican Student Association. Melchor is interested in developing UA alumni networks in Mexico and acting as a regional liaison to faculty and students visiting the region. Contact Melchor at melchor@usatic.com |
|  | Raza Abbas ‘’04 ’06, Karachi An active student, Raza held leadership positions in Arizona Blue Chip, MIS Association, Toastmasters, and others. He earned a BSBA and a BA in Communications. Raza is the CEO of Pathway Global Career Institute based in Pakistan and travels around the globe facilitating sessions for corporate executives and youth. Raza is interested in developing an alumni network in Pakistan and helping with student recruitment. Contact Raza at razaabbas.hr@gmail.com |
|  | Muhammad Mazhar Saleem, Lahore Muhammad Mazhar Saleem earned his PhD in Civil & Architectural Engineering and Mechanics. During his study at UA, he actively participated in different organizations such as Graduate and Professional Student Council, and Toastmasters club. Currently, he is serving as an assistant professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, Pakistan. He is interested in establishing a UA Alumni network in Pakistan, helping prospective UA students, and facilitating partnerships for students and faculty.
Contact Dr. Mazhar at saleem@email.arizona.edu |
|  | Azhar Abdul-Salam ‘94, Singapore Azhar studied Journalism and Communications. As a student he served as co-editor in chief of El Independiente (South Tucson), as VP of the Singapore Student Society, volunteered at the International Student Center, and was awarded the Tucson Mayor’s award for Outstanding International Student. He is a senior lecturer at Nanyang Polytechnic in Singapore. Azhar would like to continue to develop the alumni network in Singapore and Malaysia and act as liaison for faculty and students who are studying or living in the region. Contact Azhar at azharabdulsalam@hotmail.com |
|  | Patamaporn “Pat” Sripadungtham ‘89, Nonthaburi Patamaporn “Pat” Sripadungtham is an assistant professor at Kasesart University in Nonthaburi, Thailand. She graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 1989 and is looking forward to meeting other Wildcats who live in Thailand. In addition, contact Pat if you are a UA faculty member or student working or studying in Thailand. Contact Pat at fengpms@gmail.com |
 Turkey |  | Armağan Durdağ ’18, Istanbul Armağan is an active composer of contemporary classical and world music getting commissions from around the world to write original music. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Composition and is now the Head of Composition and Orchestral Conducting Department and Assistant Professor of Music at Maltepe University in Istanbul, Turkey. He is also the Music Consultant for Eyüboğlu Educational Institutions in Istanbul, a distinguished private K-12 institution accredited worldwide by the Council of International Schools (CIS). Contact Armağan at armagandurdag@hotmail.com |
Turkey |  | Mustafa Erkayaoğlu ’15, Ankara Mustafa Erkayaoğlu is an assistant professor at the Middle East Technical University Mining Engineering Department in Ankara, Turkey. He earned a PhD degree in mining engineering with a minor degree in systems and industrial engineering in 2015. He is looking forward to sustaining the UA Alumni network in Turkey and facilitating partnerships for faculty and students.
Contact Mustafa at erkayaoglu@email.arizona.edu |
|  | Rimal Popat '05, London Rimal Popat is a 2005 graduate of the Eller College of Management. He lives and works in London, where he is a management consultant. He is eager to connect with UA alumni, faculty, and students living temporarily or permanently in the United Kingdom in order to build the Arizona Global Network in London. Rimal says, "I am very eager to join this esteemed network as a way of giving back to the University which has afforded me numerous opportunities." Contact Rimal at rimal.popat@gmail.com |
