Mayor’s Young Ambassador Initiative
The Mayor’s Young Ambassador Initiative (MaYA) provides transformative international travel experiences for community college students from the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), most of whom have limited access to global learning opportunities. Fully funded by the City of Los Angeles and private donors, MaYA enables Los Angeles College Promise students to immerse themselves in new cultures, build cross-cultural competencies, and develop personal and professional skills.
Launched in 2018 by the City of Los Angeles under Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of International Affairs, MaYA is now operated by the City’s Youth Development Department (YDD) in collaboration with the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges and the L.A. College Promise Implementation Team. To date, MaYA has sent more than 269 students on trips to 14 unique international locations, including Egypt, Mexico, France, Taiwan, Kenya, China, and more.
Participants, known as Ambassadors, are drawn from across the nine LACCD campuses and 41 Los Angeles ZIP codes. 61% are the first in their families to attend college, 47% are first-time international travelers, and one-third are first-time passport holders.
Impact Highlights
84% of alumni report staying in touch with tripmates years after the program.
88% of alumni reported increased personal confidence; 95% reported increased motivation. Students regularly cite MaYA as a source of strength, courage, and inspiration in their ongoing educational journeys.
85% of alumni feel more confident navigating professional environments. Many reference MaYA in résumés, scholarship applications, or interviews, highlighting teamwork, leadership, and global awareness.
87% of Ambassadors from early cohorts have completed their degrees, certificates, or transferred.
98% of alumni express a desire to travel again; 60% have done so since their MaYA trip.
89% report increased civic engagement at home. Participants return with a broader understanding of cultural and global issues, and often engage more deeply with civic life in L.A.
