optiMize as an organization strives to inspire student leaders to create a positive impact in their communities. The Social Innovation Challenge is our more front-facing program, but another equally important facet to our organization is Community Partnerships. The purpose behind this program is to be good neighbors with the belief that social innovation is not just limited to one campus. With optiMize chapters at community colleges, Eastern Michigan University, Wayne University and other colleges on their way, Community Partnerships is helping to create a more transfer-supportive culture at the University.

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We sat down with seven fellows from Cohort 8 to talk to them about their experience with the optiMize, how optiMize programming impacted their projects, and why you should ask yourself, “Why Not Me?” and apply to the 2020 optiMize Social Innovation Challenge.

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We are proud to release 2020’s Cohort VIII booklet created by our Creative Team, featuring our funded Social Innovation teams, Mellon Fellows, moMentum Fellowship, Organizing Team, and COVID-19 community aid projects.

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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, optiMize launched a $25,000 Community Aid Projects Fund for mutual aid and community-based projects that have students involved in leadership. Students at the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, or Washtenaw Community College applied to receive up to $5,000 for their projects that help the Washtenaw community during this crisis.

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Last month, six students joined the optiMize Leadership Group as Social Innovation Challenge Leads. These students were selected from the Core Organizing Team to lead the organizing team in putting on the Social Innovation Challenge this winter and next fall. Introducing Caroline, David, Jack, Megha, Mike, and Sweta.

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As we recruit students and projects for the 8th Social Innovation Challenge, we asked Cohort 7 Fellows about what they gained from participating in optiMize. We hope that their stories and projects inspire you to ask yourself, Why not me?

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We welcomed Jeni to the optiMize full time staff this past August. In her first week, we sat down with Jeni to talk about her background, motivation, and hopes for her new position. Introducing our new Associate Director, Jeni Onley.

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Three weeks before the semester started, six students came to campus to begin the optiMize Leadership pre-season. These six students were selected from last year’s Core Organizing Team to help lead this semester’s team to put on the eighth Social Innovation Challenge. Introducing Alec, Kirsten, Lilly, Ponette, Steve, and Valerie.

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Jeff Pituch has been with us from the beginning of optiMize seven years ago, and he worked full-time for the last four years. As he leaves the organization and moves to his next adventure, we couldn't be more grateful for JP's unmatched dedication to servant leadership that has changed so many of our lives for the better. We asked him to share some parting reflections below.

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This year, optiMize launched the Social Innovation Challenge Detroit Track with support from the University of Michigan Provost’s Office. Read reflections on the track by some of our Fellows.

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Read about optimize’s first moMentum Fellowship, a two day event that provides prospective transfer students working on social impact projects the opportunity to explore the U-M campus.

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We collected book recommendations from the members of our community. Here is a selection of nonfiction, fiction, and more reading recommended by mentors, fellows, and organizers!

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Last May, Fellows from optiMize Cohort 6 began to work full time on their projects for the summer. Now, one year later, we check back to see the amazing work some of the teams have done!

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Wondering what optiMize is, how it works, and how you can get involved?

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New Staff, New Video, Trip to Peru, and More!

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