Priorities:University of San Diego Student Priorities

Contents

Connect a network of motivated students

Connect a network of motivated students interested in innovation to be the student representatives for our USD Changemaker Identity. USD Thread: Our idea is to model a component of the nonprofit organization called Thread at our university. Students would apply to the program both as current student leaders and incoming first year students. 100 students would be selected into the program. Every month a group of 10 students randomly assigned to a different group every month would meet to discuss a specific topic related to social justice, innovation, and the USD sense of community both on campus and off campus. After 10 dinners and discussions with a new group of 10 people, we will have a large dinner with all 100 participants of USD Thread to discuss their ideas and findings with the administration. As a sociology major I know that tackling most social justice issues starts with a conversation and informing people of different perspectives. This idea of Thread is to connect a diverse student body to identify with our changemaker identity. We have prototyped a similar model to Thread with a Changemaker event called "Dinner with Strangers". The discussions have always been very engaging and the students feel very connected after having the space to talk about important issues. I think expanding this event with more structure and purpose would greatly contribute to building connections among a diverse student body.

Provide concrete opportunities to engage in the ideas behind changemaking through the Changemaker Student Committee

Through the Changemaker Student Committee, interested students will have the opportunity to learn the ideas behind Human Centered Design through taking action on the exisiting projects within the Chanegmaker Hub (i.e: My Story). Students will build community with other passionate individuals as they go through the process of planning and implementing a project that meets a need on our campus. 

Connect students and local businesses

Allow students in courses to collaborate with business and work together to solve problems. We lack substantial entrepreneurship opportunities for students at USD so we hope to build off of the ones we have and create new ones with local startup businesses. Farmers Markets are very popular in San Diego with multiple locations and a hub for local entrepreneurs. This marks an excellent entry way for students to help with local businesses and gain valuable skills in a start-up culture.

Connect student leaders

To connect student leaders we have decided to create a Changemaker Student Core. This Core allows leaders of Student run organizations with similar mindsets to work together and encourage collaboration and increased involvement. With student leaders working together we can ensure that social innovation and entrepreneurship events are better publicized and also better attended. With a shared calendar we can make sure that events do not overlap allowing students to get involved with as much as possible on campus. We will also work with Associated Students to make sure student voice is heard. We will make sure there is a strong connection between associated students and the Changemaker Hub as both can strongly benefit from each others support.

Roadmap for Student Involvement

Market to students through an independent forum discussing opportunities that students can get involved in. Students will be able to promote, discuss, and actively engage in conversation about meaningful passions and common interests with other students on campus. This will help promote and navigate the opportunities on campus and allow students to engage in what they are looking for. It will reduce the clutter. Connect students with other innovators across other university campuses.

In order to expand opportunities on and off campus we will reach out to other universities interested in social innovation and social entrepreneurship. These events will include, hackathon, social innovation competitions and design thinking bootcamps to engage with the issues in our community.

Connect the USD Community with the Linda Vista Community Expand Social Change Corps

The Social Change Corps (SCC) supports students wanting to explore changemaking opportunities by providing financial support and mentoring. This initiative promotes students’ understanding of social issues and social justice as they actively participate in a community-based or social enterprise experience, locally or abroad. The 2017 SCC offers $500 during a semester for a team of three to five students to explore who they are as Changemakers and to develop their skills in framing social issues and creating innovative approaches to addressing them. All the SCC teams receive mentoring from the start.

Facilitate connection between students and alumni

Facilitate connection between students and alumni (with increased consistency) 2 pronged approach Incorporating networking with alumni into certain classes For example, all diversity “D” classes require students to connect with one person/do an informational interview with someone outside their typical contacts and get a new perspective on their passions, goals, etc “Changemaking Across Disciplines” networking events on campus Once a month casual dinners with alumni from a bunch of different fields Could take on the format of a panel, small group discussion.