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.
Read MoreJeff 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreRead 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.
Read MoreWe 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!
Read MoreLast 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!
Read MoreThis year, we are able to fund 36 projects and 66 Summer Fellows with $300,000. We think these student projects illuminate possibilities for a more just and sustainable world. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us!
Read MoreWondering what optiMize is, how it works, and how you can get involved?
Read MoreNew Staff, New Video, Trip to Peru, and More!
Read MoreWe're thrilled to release our new brand video — "optiMize: Stop Waiting"
Read MoreThis year, we are able to fund 27 projects and 27 Summer Fellows with $212,000. We think these student projects illuminate possibilities for a more just and sustainable world. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us!
Read MoreSome optiMize Core Team members spoke with Consider Magazine for the Michigan Bicentennial about the future of education.
Read MoreIn April 2013, when we awarded grants to five project teams in the first optiMize Social Innovation Challenge, one of those grants went to Detroit Entrepreneurship Network, co-founded by Aashka Soni and Andrew Janatka.
Read MoreParisa Soraya and her co-founder Brianna Wolin had no idea what they were going to create when they joined optiMize — they just knew they wanted to make life better for people with chronic illnesses. Through the Challenge, they created a social venture called Find Your Ditto that’s now been called one of the “coolest college startups” in the country by Inc magazine.
Read MoreHaving been a college student in the era of “engaged learning,” I have to report that my experience left a lot to be desired. As I approached my own graduation in 2012, I wondered a few things:
Read MoreWhy optiMize teamed up with United Way of Washtenaw County to bring together the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and Washtenaw Community College to cultivate social innovation communities on campuses throughout Washtenaw County.
Read MoreAs an optiMize Fellow this summer, I learned to appreciate the investment of people-power in projects. I also gained a new respect for the ability of a few local advocates and activists to convert inspiration into action and create valuable community resources.
Read MoreGiuliana Huerta-Mercado has been in the media a lot this summer. But of all the interviews she’s done, this one with Jeff Sorensen is her favorite so far!
Occasionally moments come along that make me pinch myself and ask, “Is this really happening?”
Read More“If you could change one thing, what would you change?”
This past October, we asked that question to our peers here at the University of Michigan. We spent eight hours on the Diag asking people to dream big. They shared the things they wished to change about the world. Then, we asked them to come and work on solving that problem with us through the Social Innovation Challenge.
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