• Up for the Challenge?

    Addressing Climate Change and Conscious Consumerism

    The Changemaker Challenge invites University of San Diego students, faculty and staff to employ their imagination, passion and hard work to generate ideas to help respond to a current social challenge.

     

    We are excited to announce that the 2023-24 Changemaker Challenge topic will be addressing climate change and conscious consumerism issues at USD. Our community partners are the Office of Sustainability and the Environmental Integration Lab. Whether you are participating in the Challenge as part of a class or on your own, all of the information you need to submit your ideas can be found here. By participating in the Changemaker Challenge, you have the opportunity to have your ideas piloted in the spring 2024 semester as well as receiving cash prizes worth $500.

     

  • Events

    This year's events related to the theme of Addressing Climate Change and Conscious Consumerism.

     

    A Conversation with the Environmental Integration Lab (Tuesday, September 19 - 12:30-1:30pm)

     

    Join us for a Zoom conversation with Drs. Julia Cantzler and Nichole Wissman-Weber - the Co-Directors of the Environmental Integration Lab - on Tuesday, September 19th from 12:30-1:30 pm. The EIL emphasizes the Care for Our Common Home by developing strategic collaborations to deliver integrative and innovative solutions to urgent challenges related to climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice. We will explore the challenges and opportunities of addressing how students can engage and advocate on issues related to climate change and conscious consumerism at USD. As one of the campus partners for this year's Changemaker Challenge, the EIL is collaborating with USD to find ways to take actions on issues related to climate change and conscious consumerism.

     

    Missed this event? No problem! You can watch the discussion here!

     

    A Conversation with the Office of Sustainability (Thursday, September 21 - 12:30-1:30pm)

     

    Join us for a Zoom conversation with John Alejandro - Director of the Office of Sustainability - on Thursday, September 21st from 12:30-1:30 pm. The mission of the Office of Sustainability is to improve and protect the environment by implementing plans, projects and programs, that engage the USD community to take climate action. We will explore the challenges and opportunities of addressing how students advocate for issues related to climate change and conscious consumerism at USD. As one of the campus partners for the Changemaker Challenge, the Office of Sustainability continues to further expand the ways it engages the campus community to take action on issues related to climate change and conscious consumerism.

     

    Missed this event? No problem! You can watch the discussion here!

     

    Youth v. Gov Film Screening (Wednesday, October 4 - 5:30-7:30pm)

     

    Join us for a screening of Youth v. Gov on Wednesday, October 4th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm in the UC Forum A. Youth v. Gov is the story of a constitutional lawsuit brought by a group of American youth against the U.S. government for adopting policies that furthered climate change. We will host a short Q&A with Dr. Mike Williams. Dinner provided. This event is a perfect opportunity to prep your entry for this year's Changemaker Challenge.  Register for this event here.

     

    Seeding Change Film Screening (Tuesday, October 17 - 5:30-7:30pm)

     

    Join us for a screening of Seeding Change on Tuesday, October 17th from 5:30-7:30 pm in the UC Forum A. Dinner provided. Seeding Change tells the story of the negative effects that climate change is having on our planet and what triple bottom line companies are doing to address these impacts. After the film, we will host a short Q&A with the Director and Producer, Richard Yelland. Dinner provided. This event is a perfect opportunity to prep your entry for this year's Changemaker Challenge. Register for the event here.

     

    Mighty Bin Field Trip (Tuesday, October 17 - 12:30-2:00pm)

     

    Join us for a short field trip visiting The Mighty Bin and learn more about how it provides a convenient way to shop for package-free and toxin-free grocery items. Food and transport provided. Location: Meet at Maher's Circle to catch the tram! Register for this event here. 

    There are no published blog posts yet.

  • Meet Our Campus Partners

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    Office of Sustainability

    The mission of the Office of Sustainability is to improve and protect the environment by implementing plans, projects and programs, that engage the USD community to take climate action. Such initiatives help USD achieve its climate goals and deliver on Pope Francis’ Laudato si’, his global call to action for everyone to care for our common home, which USD aspires to do. Read the Office of Sustainability Campus Partner Brief to learn more!

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    Environmental Integration Lab

     

    The EIL emphasizes the Care for our Common Home by developing strategic collaborations to deliver integrative and innovative solutions to urgent challenges related to climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice. To achieve this, it strives to generate interest in environmental problem-solving, while prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and integration of perspectives and approaches to addressing climate change and our most urgent social and ecological challenges. Read the Environmental Integration Lab Campus Brief to learn more!

     

  • Our Campus Challenges to Address

    Identified by the Office of Sustainability and the Environmental Integration Lab

    Students are invited to select one of the following prompts:

    Option A:

    • How might we create a culture of student engagement and advocacy around sustainability and climate change?
    Option B:
    • How might we create a campus culture of conscious consumerism at USD?

    You can learn more about the Office of Sustainability and the Environmental Integration Lab and each of these prompts with the Changemaker Challenge Campus Partner Brief (coming soon)!

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  • Changemaker Challenge Application

    You can submit your Changemaker Challenge submission here!

     

    For any questions on the Changemaker Challenge or issues with this application, please email changemaker@sandiego.edu

  • The following ideas were selected as finalists for the 2021-2022 Changemaker Challenge

    Changemaker Challenge: Oat Milk Initiative

    Changemaker Challenge: Putting a Face on the Problem Initiative

    Changemaker Challenge: Curbside Pickup Initiative

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    The following ideas were selected to be piloted in the Spring 2021 Semester

    PATH: A Voice for the Homeless Podcast

    PATH: Community Garden

    Think Dignity: Boutique Boxes

    Think Dignity: Mobile Sanitation-Use of Vital Oxide

  • Judges for Bayside Submissions

    Changemaker Challenge 2021

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    Jessica Heldman

    Fellmeth-Peterson Professor in Residence in Child Rights

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    Hans Peter Schmitz

    Professor, Leadership Studies

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    Kenny Van Tilburg

    Associate University Minister

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    Aly Monteleone

    University minister

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    Justine Rapp

    Department Chair of Marketing, Associate Professor of Marketing

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    Nicholas Maeder

    Assistant Professor of Economics

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    Ryan Jumamil

    Director, Student Support Services

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    Millie Fullmer

    Assistant Professor, Acquisitions and Cataloging Librarian

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    Kimberly Heinle

    Clerical Worker, International Relations

  • Judges for Farm Forward Submissions

    Changemaker Challenge 2021

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    Bridget Frese

    Clinical Associate Professor, Hahn School of Nursing

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    Joseph Babcock

    Lecturer II of English

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    Julia Cantzler

    Associate Professor, Sociology

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    Trey McDonald

    Director of Sustainability, Facilities Management

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    Amanda Larson

    Graduate Student, Changemaker Hub

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    Juliet Zimmer

    Program Manager, Fowler GSIC

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    Isabelle Ashraf

    Clerical Worker, Student Aid Wards

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    Topher McDougal

    Associate Professor, Kroc School of Peace Studies

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    Christopher Carter

    Assistant Professor, Theology

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    Aaron Gross

    Professor, Theology

  • Resources

    Great Content Designed to Support You!

  • Check out the Challenge Rubric!

    The rubric shows how the judges will be basing their score on your project. Make sure to comply with the rubric when addressing your social justice challenge!

     

    Download the Rules for Eligibility

  • Changemaker Challenge FAQs

    What is the Changemaker Challenge?

    The Changemaker Challenge is the Changemaker Hub’s annual idea competition that invites students to employ their imagination, grit, and passion for generating ideas to address a current social challenge posed by local San Diego community partners. This competition provides students with the opportunity to work on an urgent challenge, acquire practical experience, transferable skills, and additional support building their idea. The winning ideas are adapted to create real change in the community, and students will have the option to continue with the pilot idea and network with these local organizations.

    What are the Changemaker Challenge's rules for eligibility?

    The Challenge is open to all USD students, faculty, and staff. Participants can enter individually or as a team of up to five people. For more details, please visit the Rules and Elgibility document.  

    What have been past Changemaker Challenge topics?

    In previous years, the Changemaker Challenge has addressed topics related to waste (2012, 2013), water (2014-2016), equity and access: health, education, and housing (2017, 2018), homelessness, displacement, and migration (2019, 2020) and food justice (2021-22). The 2023-25 topic will focus on addressing climiate change and conscious consumerism issues at USD.

    What awards and prizes are available to Changemaker Challenge participants?

    In November 2023, a panel of judges will select and announce the ten best proposals from which the community partner will select the ideas to pilot in the spring semester. Students who submitted ideas to be piloted will receive a cash prize.

    Do I have to use the prize money for the project?

    Any award money will go directly to students who win and the Changemaker Hub will fund the pilot projects for the ideas during the Spring 2023 semester.

    Can I reuse work I have already submitted for a course or work that I have presented/ published elsewhere, or work that I have done/ am doing with others who are not on my Changemaker Challenge team?

    You are welcome to reuse and build upon any of your own previous work. However, we ask that you cite all the sources that you use, including your own.

    How do I enter the Changemaker Challenge? 

    The platform to enter can be accessed through the MySanDiego Portal. The link is now open for submissions. Please visit this site regularly for more detailed information.

    The deadline for the Fall 2023 Changemaker Challenge is

    Friday, November 3rd (by 11:59 pm).
     

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    Examples of recent Changemaker

    Challenge videos

    Historias del Barrio

    HOST which provides support to homeless college students

    Unleashing Hispanic Potential

    Children’s Map

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    For examples of video submissions, take a look at the ideas that were selected as finalists for the 2022-2023 Changemaker Challenge

    Changemaker Challenge: GET Educated

    Changemaker Challenge: Food Transparency at USD

    Changemaker Challenge: Plant-Based Vendor List

  • Why Should You Do The Challenge?

    Check Out The Student Feedback From 2022!

     

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  • Connect

    Connect with us at the Changemaker Hub

  • CONTACT US

    Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns

  • Judges for PATH Submissions

    Changemaker Challenge 2020

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    Justine Rapp Farrell

    Associate Professor of Marketing

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    Juan Roche

    Professor of Practice,
    Center for Peace and Commerce Faculty Advisor

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    Manda Sayegh

    Associate Director of Student Activities and Involvement

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    Erin Lovette-Colyer

    Director, Gender Identity Resources

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    Sigrid Struben

    PATH Kitchen and Volunteer Coordinator

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    Peter Marlow

    Associate Vice President, University Communications

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    Silvia Mah

    Director, Center for Peace and Commerce

  • Judges for Think Dignity Submissions

    Changemaker Challenge 2020

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    V. Dozier

    Assistant Professor, Education Librarian

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    Juliet Zimmer

    Coordinator, Center for Peace and Commerce

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    Julia Campagna

    University Minister

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    Ryan Jumamil
    Director, Student Support Services
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    Susannah Stern

    Professor, Communication Studies

    Honors Program Director

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    Merlynn Watanabe

    Programs & Operations Manager, Think Dignity

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    Ana Domínguez

    Microenterprise Business Counselor, International Rescue Committee

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    Trey McDonald

    Director of Sustainability

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    Martha Adkins
    Associate Professor, Reference Librarian
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    Sienna George

    Social Impact Strategist, Oliver Russell

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    Elisa Lurkis

    Director of Development and Alumni Relations, School of Engineering

  • Another cycle of our annual idea competition to generate ideas to address a current social challenge is coming to an end. Take a look at the top eight videos and vote!

  • Up for the Challenge?

    Equity and Access: Education, Housing, and Healthcare

    The Changemaker Challenge invites University of San Diego students, faculty, and staff to employ their imagination, passion, and hard work to generate ideas to face a current social challenge proposed to us by leaders from the San Diego/Tijuana Region.

    The 2018 Changemaker Challenge theme is Equity and Access: Education, Housing, and Healthcare. While equality encourages us to treat everyone the same, equity asks us to treat everyone fairly and justly by acknowledging that not everyone starts from the same place, and therefore not everyone has access to the same opportunities. The Changemaker Challenge provides an opportunity for engaging in idea-generation, thus increasing awareness and knowledge about current social and environmental problems and mobilizing people towards problem solving.

     

    Download the Rules and Eligibility for the Challenge

  • Resources

    Great Content Designed to Support You!

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    This playlist explores the issues related to this year's theme, Equity and Access: Education, Housing, and Healthcare. Watching these TED Talks is a great place to begin to learn about how experts in the field are already addressing these issues in their own communities.

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    Expand Your Knowledge

    This year's Just Read! selection, $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, discusses the lived experiences of the nearly 1.5 million American households surviving on virtually no cash income. Film screenings, discussions, and other events have been planned to explore the themes of this book and how the USD community can take action.

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    Learn about the Issues

    The first step to addressing global challenges is awareness. Take a look at these infographics to learn more about the disparities in access to healthcare, education, and housing.

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    Check out last year's finalist videos on our Facebook Page

  • 2018 Judges

    We are excited to have new judges join us this year!

    Dayanne Izmirian, PhD – Director of Community & Leadership Development
    Jeffery Cirillo– Competitive Sports and Facilities Supervisor
    Manda Sayegh– Assistant Director of Student Organizations and Involvement
    Philip Gamaghelyan, PhD– Assistant Professor of Peace Studies
    Mary Durkin, PhD– Assistant Professor of Accounting
    Martha Fuller, PhD, PPCNP-BC– Associate Professor of Nursing
    Sarah Lyon, PhD– Assistant Professor of Accounting
    Marcus Lam, PhD– Assistant Professor, SOLES
    Moriah Meyskens, PhD– Clinical Professor of Management

    Corin Thornburg– USD Alumna, M.A. in Social Innovation

    Bianca Alvarado– USD Alumna, M.A. in Social Innovation
     

  • 2016 Challenge Judges

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    Aarti Ivanic

    Assistant Professor of Marketing

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    Gordon Hoople

    Assistant Professor, General Engineering

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    Melissa Plaskonos

    Assistant Vice President Facilities Management

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    Peter Marlow

    Associate Vice President, University Communication

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    Paula Morreale

    Sustainability Coordinator

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    Karolina Rzadkowolska

    Strategic Initiatives Manager

  • 2015-16 Challenge: Water

    Water Briefing

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  • Check out pictures from the 2016 USD Chopped Cooking Competition

    Ocean
    Nature
    Ocean
    Blue Sky
    Nature

  • Meet the 2020 Finalists!

    We are excited to share the finalists of this year's Changemaker Challenge. Aside from competing for $5,000 in prizes, 5 ideas selected by our community partners will be piloted in the Spring! Watch and vote

    Poster with link to voting site
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