optiMize is the largest student-led social innovation program now supporting more than 1,000 students annually in their efforts as they ask themselves “why not me”. This blog shares a few alumni teams who are continuing to make significant progress and impact.
Read MoreLearning from feedback, our team took time this summer to reimagine the Social Innovation Challenge — from the curriculum and mentorship model to the involvement of Transfer Bridge Fellows in the SIC! We’ll be presenting these changes through a 3-part blog series, starting with the participant experience and how we updated it from feedback and collaborative change.
Read MoreIn preparation for the upcoming year’s SIC, six dedicated Support Team Members recently took on new roles as Challenge Leads. We look forward to their leadership next fall as they guide the organizing team in putting on a phenomenal program for our 13th Cohort of Social Innovators. We would love to give a warm welcome to Ava, Kavya, Rishika, Casey and Adhi!
Read MoreWe are so excited to introduce you all to Kamryn Attanasio, our new Graduate Wellness Intern to learn more about why she joined the OptiFam!
Read MoreAppreciating all LGBTQ+ optiMize Community Members!
Read MoreAppreciating all AAPI optiMize Community Members!
Read MoreMental Health matters!
Read MoreLast October, we received 680 project submissions for the eleventh annual optiMize Social Innovation Challenge. Over the course of the next five months, we hosted the SIC with workshops, mentorship sessions, and community building events to support students working on social impact projects. In February, these teams presented their work and requested up to $10,000 per project.
Read MoreAs the holiday season approaches once again, the optiMize team wanted to ease your worries about finding the perfect gift. Many of these local, student-led businesses offer the perfect gifts for your loved ones.
Read MoreWith the SIC underway, our Peer Mentors work to provide support to participants with a unique perspective of having undertaken the challenge themselves. They are a great resource and staff member to lean on with any question that comes to mind and we are so proud of all they have accomplished with their respective projects!
Read MoreWe are so excited to introduce you all to Aja Gore, our new Associate Director to learn more about her journey to the University of Michigan and why she joined the opti-team.
Read MoreWe are so excited to introduce you all to Candace Curtis-Cavazos, our new Mentorship & External Engagement Manager to learn more about her journey at the University of Michigan, vision for mentorship at optiMize, and why she joined the opti-team.
Read MoreOur staff came together to create a playlist that reminds us of our cherished optiMize community. Read about why staff members added their picks to the playlist, and feel free to listen along!
Read MoreWe collected book recommendations from the members of our community. Here is a selection of nonfiction, fiction, and more reading recommendations!
Read MoreWe are proud to release our 2023 booklet created by our Creative Team, featuring our funded Social Innovation teams, Transfer Bridge Fellows, and Organizing Team
Read MoreAs the holiday season approaches once again, the optiMize team wanted to ease your worries about finding the perfect gift. Many of these local, student-led businesses offer the perfect gifts for your loved ones.
Read MoreWe are so excited to introduce you all to Dallas McGhee-Henry, our new Marketing and Communications Manager to learn more about his journey at the University of Michigan, vision for the Creative Team, and why he joined the opti-team.
Read MoreWe sat down with three fellows from Cohort 10 to talk to them about their experience with optiMize, how optiMize programming impacted their projects, and advice for going through the 2022 Social Innovation Challenge
Read MoreWe are proud to release 2022’s Cohort X booklet created by our Creative Team, featuring our funded Social Innovation teams, Transfer Bridge Fellows, and Organizing Team.
Read MoreIn preparation for the upcoming year’s SIC, five dedicated Support Team Members recently took on new roles as Challenge Leads. We look forward to their leadership next fall as they guide the organizing team in putting on a phenomenal program for our 11th Cohort of Social Innovators. We would love to give a warm welcome to Adele, George, Jonathan, Mara, and Connor!
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