The annual Changemaker Challenge was held for the fifth time on April 9 over Zoom. In previous years, the event was held in Meiley-Swallow Hall before the events of COVID-19 occurred.
Lindsay Gleason, ’22, is a student ambassador for the Center for Social Impact. She helped organize this year’s event.
“People can be Changemakers by courageously stepping towards making a difference … we can have these ideas … but when we don’t do anything about it we are just talking big game,” said Gleason.
Benefits of participation
The Changemaker Challenge offers students the opportunity to gather interest and funding. Past participant Tyler Jones, ’20, reported greater self-confidence, new relationships and improved public speaking skills.
“In addition to the student pitches, we have an amazing keynote speaker … Cheryl Dorsey, president of Echoing Green … (and) a powerhouse panel of judges that attendees will get to hear from as well,” said Jeremy Gudauskas, assistant vice president and co-director of the Center for Social Impact and the organizer of the event.
Attendees had the opportunity to follow along and learn how a pitch challenge works. They were also able to hear from many inspiring individuals. “I hope that people walked away feeling fired up,” said Gleason.
For attendees, there was also the opportunity to meet individuals in the post-presentation breakout sessions. Gleason said the breakout sessions, which were structured like a conversation, were added to make the event more engaging. The remote nature of this years event made the sessions possible.
Impact of Changemaker Challenge
After the student pitches, attendees broke out into mini-sessions with either Jones or Lyndsay Hartman, ’19. Previous participants who had been successful after the challenge spoke during these sessions.
Jones pitched his project for “helping children better deal with traumatic experiences” during the 2019 Changemaker Challenge. He was able to improve his speaking skills through this experience. It also led to more opportunities to promote his cause in the form of a TEDx Talk. The TEDx Talk is another opportunity the Center for Social Impact offers students.
“Working on a project, whatever that may be, that is bigger than yourself is an impactful and humbling experience,” said Jones.
Center for Social Impact resources
The event is just one of many opportunities sponsored by the Center for Social Impact. The Center hosts several events for students looking to make a difference.
In addition, the Center helped NCC join the Ashoka network, which designates it as a “Changemaker campus.” Furthermore, they offer courses, majors and minors which help students develop their change-making skills.
Students may watch a recording of the event if they were unable to attend. Interested students should email Kamelotte Gregory.
