North Central College helps students lead change with new Center for Social Impact
NAPERVILE, Ill., March 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In its mission to prepare students for action and leadership in a complex world, North Central College has opened the Center for Social Impact to develop the next generation of "changemakers."
"Today's students desire to make a positive impact with their lives and careers—and, to do it well, they'll need more than inspiration," said Jeremy Gudauskas, co-director of the Center. "We want to equip students with the knowledge, experiences, mentoring and resources to find their path to a purposeful future."
The Center serves as a hub of opportunities for students to explore issues they care about through five "changemaking pathways"— service, academics, social entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and advocacy. Each pathway offers learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, immersion experiences, internships, student organization activities, leadership roles and funding sources to equip students with the mindset and skillset to lead change.
Students can participate in the College's longstanding initiatives such as the Leadership, Ethics and Values program, which offers interdisciplinary courses, certificates, minors and majors focused on ethical leadership, social entrepreneurship, social innovation and conflict resolution.
Social innovation is a growing trend in undergraduate programming; only a few schools across the country offer it as a field of study.
"I never thought I'd be involved with social causes in college—I figured I'd be sequestered in the lab all the time," said Reese Richardson, a junior majoring in physics and applied mathematics and president of Students for Social Innovation. "At North Central I'm finding ways to combine my coursework with my passion."
Students also benefit from the College's annual "Changemaker Challenge"—a social enterprise pitch competition—and TEDxNorthCentralCollege—a showcase of innovative ideas from students and alumni. Students can apply and compete for funds for project implementation and venture creation.
The Center works with businesses and governmental organizations for the betterment of community by engaging students in problem solving through an interdisciplinary lens.
North Central is seeking Ashoka U's prestigious designation of becoming a "Changemaker Campus."
Founded in 1861, North Central College is a college of the liberal arts and sciences that offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and six graduate programs. With more than 2,900 students, North Central provides a rigorous, student-centered education and fosters a diverse and globally engaged community. Visit northcentralcollege.edu.
SOURCE North Central College
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