I asked Copilot what an Ashoka Changemaker College was and here is the response (three paragraphs): “An Ashoka Changemaker College is an institution recognized by Ashoka U for its commitment to social innovation and changemaking in higher education. These colleges and universities embed social innovation and changemaking into their culture, programming, and operations. They aim to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to create positive social change.

For example, Georgian College in Canada is designated as a Changemaker College by Ashoka U. This designation highlights the college’s role as a leader in social innovation and its efforts to develop students’ empathy, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills2.

Changemaker Colleges offer various opportunities for students to engage in social innovation, such as participating in community projects, launching social enterprises, and taking courses focused on social impact

Criteria

I then asked Copilot: “What criteria do colleges need to meet to be designated?” Here is the response:

To be designated as an Ashoka Changemaker College, institutions need to meet several criteria that demonstrate their commitment to social innovation and changemaking. Here are the key criteria:

1. Visionary Leadership: Senior leaders must be committed to embedding and growing social innovation and changemaking across the institution. Change Leaders should be empowered to work with major stakeholders at both local and global levels.
2. Innovation and Excellence in Changemaking: Social innovation and changemaking should be integrated into the curriculum, pedagogy, co-curricular programming, and research.
3. Institutional Culture and Operations: The institution should demonstrate social and environmental consciousness, cultivate community partnerships, and commit to responsible social innovation and changemaking that leads to positive societal impact.
4. Institutional Field Building and Impact Influence: The institution should lead and influence key partners across the higher education industry and beyond to build a world where everyone is a changemaker.

These criteria guide institutions as they embrace and activate social innovation and changemaking as an educational framework, and as a framework for re-envisioning the role of colleges and universities in society.

Key Benefits to the College

I asked Copilot: “What are the benefits of being an Ashoka Changemaker College?” Here is the repose.

Being an Ashoka Changemaker College comes with a range of benefits that can enhance the institution’s impact on students, faculty, and the broader community. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Enhanced Reputation: The designation signals the institution’s commitment to social innovation and changemaking, boosting its reputation and attracting like-minded students, faculty, and partners.
2. Access to a Global Network: Changemaker Colleges become part of Ashoka U’s global network of institutions dedicated to social innovation, providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and best practice exchange.
3. Innovative Curriculum and Pedagogy: The designation encourages the development and integration of social innovation and changemaking into the curriculum, fostering an innovative and dynamic learning environment.
4. Increased Student Engagement: Students at Changemaker Colleges are more likely to engage in social innovation projects, community initiatives, and experiential learning opportunities, enhancing their educational experience and preparing them for impactful careers.
5. Faculty Development: Faculty members gain access to resources, training, and support to incorporate social innovation into their teaching and research, promoting professional growth and development.
6. Funding and Resources: The designation can open doors to funding opportunities, grants, and resources that support social innovation projects and initiatives.
7. Community Impact: Changemaker Colleges often establish strong partnerships with local communities, creating opportunities for students and faculty to contribute to meaningful social change.
8. Leadership in Higher Education: These institutions can play a leading role in shaping the future of higher education by promoting social innovation and changemaking as core educational values.

Overall, being an Ashoka Changemaker College fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and social impact, benefiting the entire institution and its stakeholders.

Innovative Curriculum

I asked Copilot to elaborate on this innovative curriculum.

Certainly! The innovative curriculum at an Ashoka Changemaker College is designed to integrate social innovation and changemaking into various aspects of the educational experience. Here are some key elements that make the curriculum stand out:

1. Interdisciplinary Approach: Courses are designed to cross traditional academic boundaries, encouraging students to apply knowledge from multiple disciplines to address complex social issues.
2. Experiential Learning: Students engage in hands-on projects, internships, and community-based learning experiences that allow them to apply their skills and knowledge in real-world contexts.
3. Social Impact Focus: Many courses specifically focus on social impact, teaching students how to develop and implement solutions to social, environmental, and economic challenges.
4. Changemaker Skills: The curriculum emphasizes the development of key skills such as empathy, creativity, collaboration, and leadership, which are essential for effective changemaking.
5. Integration with Co-curricular Activities: The curriculum is often complemented by co-curricular activities such as workshops, seminars, hackathons, and social innovation competitions that provide additional opportunities for students to practice and refine their changemaking skills.
6. Faculty Involvement: Faculty members play a crucial role in mentoring students, developing innovative teaching methods, and incorporating social innovation into their research and scholarship.
7. Global Perspective: Courses often include a global perspective, exposing students to social innovation practices and challenges from around the world and encouraging cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
8. Collaborative Projects: Students work on collaborative projects with peers, faculty, and community partners, fostering teamwork and collective problem-solving.
9. Emphasis on Reflection and Critical Thinking: The curriculum encourages students to reflect on their experiences, question assumptions, and critically analyze the impact of their actions on society.
10. Access to Resources and Support: Students have access to resources such as innovation labs, mentorship programs, and funding opportunities to support their social innovation projects and initiatives.

Overall, the innovative curriculum at an Ashoka Changemaker College equips students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to become effective changemakers and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Real World Examples

I asked Copilot: “How can students apply this curriculum in real life?”. Here is the response:

Students can apply the innovative curriculum of an Ashoka Changemaker College in several practical and impactful ways:

1. Community Projects: Students can engage in projects that address local community needs. For example, they might collaborate with local organizations to develop programs that support underprivileged groups or work on environmental conservation initiatives.
2. Social Enterprises: With the skills and knowledge gained from the curriculum, students can start their own social enterprises. These businesses aim to create social or environmental benefits while being financially sustainable.
3. Internships and Fellowships: Students can take on internships or fellowships with organizations dedicated to social innovation and impact. These experiences provide practical insights and opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in a professional setting.
4. Research and Advocacy: Students can conduct research on pressing social issues and advocate for policy changes. They might publish their findings, participate in public forums, or engage with policymakers to drive change.
6. Leadership Roles: The changemaker skills students develop can be applied in leadership roles within student organizations, clubs, and initiatives on campus, fostering a culture of social innovation and collaboration.
7. Global Initiatives: Students can participate in global programs, exchanges, or collaborations that address international social challenges, gaining a broader perspective and contributing to global solutions.
8. Workshops and Training: By organizing and leading workshops or training sessions, students can share their knowledge and inspire others to become changemakers, multiplying the impact of their learning.
9. Hackathons and Competitions: Participating in social innovation hackathons and competitions allows students to tackle real-world problems, develop creative solutions, and network with like-minded individuals and professionals.
10. Sustainable Practices: Students can incorporate sustainability practices in their daily lives and advocate for sustainable practices within their institutions and communities, contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
11. Reflection and Growth: By continuously reflecting on their experiences and seeking feedback, students can refine their approaches and grow as effective changemakers, ready to tackle new challenges and opportunities.

Overall, the curriculum equips students with the tools they need to make a positive impact in various sectors and communities, both locally and globally.

Successful Student Projects

I asked Copilot: “Can you provide examples of successful student projects?” Here is the response: “Absolutely! Here are a few examples of successful student projects from Ashoka Changemaker Colleges:”

1. Safe SIPP: A team of students from Arizona State University (ASU) developed Safe SIPP, a social venture that provides clean water to rural communities in developing countries. The project involves a portable water purification system that can be easily transported and used in areas with limited access to clean water.
2. G3 Box: Another team from ASU created G3 Box, a project that repurposes shipping containers into portable medical clinics. These clinics can be deployed in disaster-stricken areas or regions with inadequate healthcare infrastructure, providing essential medical services to those in need.
3. Vantage Realized: This project, also from ASU, focuses on creating affordable and sustainable housing solutions for low-income communities. The team designs and constructs eco-friendly homes that are both cost-effective and energy-efficient.
4. Climate-Resilient Housing for Indigenous Communities: At Wilfrid Laurier University, a student-led initiative developed climate-resilient housing for northern Indigenous communities. The project aims to address the unique challenges faced by these communities due to climate change and improve their living condition

These projects showcase the creativity, innovation, and dedication of students at Ashoka Changemaker Colleges. They demonstrate how students can apply their skills and knowledge to create positive social impact and address pressing global challenges.