Up for the 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.
Meet Our Campus Partners
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!
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
Students are invited to select one of the following prompts:
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
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
Jessica Heldman
Fellmeth-Peterson Professor in Residence in Child Rights
Hans Peter Schmitz
Professor, Leadership Studies
Kenny Van Tilburg
Associate University Minister
Aly Monteleone
University minister
Justine Rapp
Department Chair of Marketing, Associate Professor of Marketing
Nicholas Maeder
Assistant Professor of Economics
Ryan Jumamil
Director, Student Support Services
Millie Fullmer
Assistant Professor, Acquisitions and Cataloging Librarian
Kimberly Heinle
Clerical Worker, International Relations
Judges for Farm Forward Submissions
Changemaker Challenge 2021
Bridget Frese
Clinical Associate Professor, Hahn School of Nursing
Joseph Babcock
Lecturer II of English
Julia Cantzler
Associate Professor, Sociology
Trey McDonald
Director of Sustainability, Facilities Management
Amanda Larson
Graduate Student, Changemaker Hub
Juliet Zimmer
Program Manager, Fowler GSIC
Isabelle Ashraf
Clerical Worker, Student Aid Wards
Topher McDougal
Associate Professor, Kroc School of Peace Studies
Christopher Carter
Assistant Professor, Theology
Aaron Gross
Professor, Theology
Resources
TED Talks
Films
Readings
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Examples of recent Changemaker
Challenge videos
Historias del Barrio
HOST which provides support to homeless college students
Unleashing Hispanic Potential
Children’s Map
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!
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
Justine Rapp Farrell
Associate Professor of Marketing
Juan Roche
Professor of Practice,
Center for Peace and Commerce Faculty Advisor
Manda Sayegh
Associate Director of Student Activities and Involvement
Erin Lovette-Colyer
Director, Gender Identity Resources
Sigrid Struben
PATH Kitchen and Volunteer Coordinator
Peter Marlow
Associate Vice President, University Communications
Silvia Mah
Director, Center for Peace and Commerce
Judges for Think Dignity Submissions
Changemaker Challenge 2020
V. Dozier
Assistant Professor, Education Librarian
Juliet Zimmer
Coordinator, Center for Peace and Commerce
Julia Campagna
University Minister
Susannah Stern
Professor, Communication Studies
Honors Program Director
Merlynn Watanabe
Programs & Operations Manager, Think Dignity
Microenterprise Business Counselor, International Rescue Committee
Trey McDonald
Director of Sustainability
Sienna George
Social Impact Strategist, Oliver Russell
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!
Learn from the Besthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLblojlbITE6PV6J-6c58XQFxUoxumUvsv
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.
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.
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.
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
Aarti Ivanic
Assistant Professor of Marketing
Gordon Hoople
Assistant Professor, General Engineering
Melissa Plaskonos
Assistant Vice President Facilities Management
Peter Marlow
Associate Vice President, University Communication
Paula Morreale
Sustainability Coordinator
Karolina Rzadkowolska
Strategic Initiatives Manager
2015-16 Challenge: Water
Water Briefing
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