Welcoming the 2024-2025 SIC Challenge leads!
Get to know our new Leads for the 2024-2025 Social Innovation Challenge!
In 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 13th Cohort of Social Innovators. We would love to give a warm welcome to Ava, Casey, Kavya, Rishika, and Adhi!
Casey
Sociology
Class of 2026
Community and Organizational Culture
Why did you want to join optiMize? I joined optiMize because of its cause. The ability to support students who are changing the world in so many different ways is so rewarding and is truly an experience unlike any other.
What are you excited for this year?
I am so excited to be leading the Social Innovation Challenge with my fellow Challenge Leads and implementing a lot of positive changes we are making to our programming, as well as seeing what impactful ideas our participants will have. I'm ready to have some fun and make this the best year yet!
If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?
This is such a tough question and I'm probably forgetting some great options, but the one I would go with right now would be the Avatar The Last Airbender universe because bending elements would be very cool!
Ava
Psychology
Class of 2027
President
Why did you want to join optiMize? I joined Opti to find a way to make a difference during college. I love that I’m able to help with so many different projects and initiatives
What are you excited for this year?
I’m so excited to implement changes to the SIC. We’ve been developing the updates for months and after trying some new features in the summer fellowship, I can’t wait to see them succeed in the fall.
If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?
Pride and Prejudice (2005 version) for obvious reasons
Kavya
Organizational Studies + Cognitive Science
Class of 2027
Creative
Why did you want to join optiMize? I joined optiMize because I wanted to find ways to help out my community while continuing my social impact journey.
What are you excited for this year?
I am excited to see what project ideas come from this upcoming SIC. I am also excited to get to know the new opti community
If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?
I would probably want to live in the Marvel Universe and be friends with all the Superheroes!
Rishika
Economics
Class of 2027
Mentorship
Why did join want to join optiMize? I joined optiMize because I wanted to find a way to continue my passion for social entrepreneurship and giving back to the community at college. optiMize has given me the opportunity to learn about various different fields and unique areas to create impact in communities both locally and globally.
What are you excited for this year?
I am excited to interact with our upcoming cohort and learn about their ideas! I would love to help make their dreams into realities in any way I can!
If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?
I would live in the fictional island of Motunui set in the movie of Moana!
Adhi
Business + CS
Class of 2027
Tech Ops
Why did you want to join optiMize? I joined optiMize because I realized that through optiMize and being on the leadership team, I can make so much of an impact on the world by supporting these bright young students with their socially innovative ideas.
What are you excited for this year?
I'm excited about the amount of change we're bringing into the SIC compared to previous years. We are experimenting a lot to try and make this a very immersive and insightful experience for every participant involved.
If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?
I'd probably choose the Star Wars universe, just because I think I'd make a good Jedi and I think I'd have the force if I was in the Star Wars universe.
Our new Social Innovation Leads are excited to get to know and work with everyone! Join us in welcoming them to the community!