Animal Ambassador Community Outreach Program
Founded in Spring 2018 by Dr. Jarod Raithel, Estrella Mountain Community College’s Animal Ambassadors Community Outreach Program is a student-led initiative focused on raising ecological awareness and promoting sustainability here in the Phoenix Valley. Our students maintain a collection of over 25 different species of native and exotic reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, and small mammals that are utilized in our Biology and Psychology labs, and in educational outreach at a diversity of campus events, as well as at local public schools, public recreation centers, public libraries, and other nonprofits. Since our inception, EMCC Animal Ambassadors have conducted over 300 off-campus outreach events, reaching thousands here in the Valley. All of our snakes are non-venomous and all of our animals are highly habituated to being regularly handled by humans.
Most importantly, our students maintain an Open Lab in Montezuma (MON) 102, the "Animal Ambassadors Lab," that is open to all community members (i.e., you do not have to be an EMCC student to visit), is free-of-charge, and does not require reservations.
Animal Ambassadors Open Lab Schedule in MON102:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 3 pm – 5 pm
Friday: 12 noon – 5 pm (unless we are scheduled for an off-campus outreach event, in which case an informational sign will be posted on the door)
No reservations required, no entry fee, open to all students, staff, faculty and the general public.
There will always be a minimum of two, trained Animal Ambassadors on staff to facilitate your engagement with our live animal collection.
Note, every lab visitor is required to sign a General Assumption of Risk & Release of Liability form their first time visiting the lab. Minors must have that form completed by their parent/guardian prior to engaging with the animals.
Interested in becoming an Animal Ambassador?
Students just looking for experience on their resumes / CV, are always welcome to contribute as unpaid volunteers during open lab hours.
If you are interested in joining our team as a paid student that manages the Animal Ambassadors lab, understand that students are supported by the Federal Work Study Program (FWS), and the West Valley-Works Internships Ready Community College Students Scholarships (WIRCCS), and are expected to model best practices in animal care, and conduct impactful community outreach.
1. Your first step in becoming an Animal Ambassador is to complete your FAFSA.
2. Next, email jarod.raithel@estrellamountain.edu , and I will schedule a time for you to visit the lab and meet the team. Please know that hiring has become quite competitive, and most Animal Ambassadors begin by regularly volunteering in the lab.
3. Hiring for a one-year position (both Fall and Spring semesters) occurs in mid-August annually, and will require you to complete an application on the EMCC jobs site here.
