This webinar will provide an overview of the proactive advocacy resources created by the ACTR Bridge-Building Advocacy Subcommittee with suggestions for their use in local school and university contexts. Ready-made fliers, infographics, and promotional videos will be shared, as will principles, concrete strategies, and best practices for successful Russian language program promotion. Participants will gain knowledge of talking points to be used with students and administrators to communicate the increased importance of the study of Russian and the humanities, since the advent of AI and in today’s political and cultural climate. Finally, presenters will share practical advice on the creation of advocacy materials, invite participants to brainstorm next steps for the ACTR Advocacy Committee, and provide information on an opportunity to join an AATSEEL-sponsored high-school to college articulation and program-building professional development and engagement program during the 2025-26 academic year.

Presenters:

• Katrina Brazhnikov, Bryn Mawr College (ACTR 2024 Intern)
• Julia Denne, By the Onion Sea Program (ACTR Bridge-Building Advocacy Subcommittee Chair) 
• Olga Klimova, University of Pittsburgh
• Olga Mukhortova, Defense Language Institute, The Defense Threat Reduction Agency
• Lee Roby, Friends School of Baltimore (ACTR Bridge-Building Committee Chair)
• Debra Solomon, Hollidaysburg High School, emerita