Paige joined optiMize’s full-time staff in October as the new Community Partnerships manager. We had Paige answer a few questions about her background, vision for Community Partnerships, and inspiration for joining the optiMize.
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We sat down with five fellows from Cohort 9 to talk to them about their experience with the optiMize, how optiMize programming impacted their projects, and advice for going through the 2021 Social Innovation Challenge
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Appreciating all LGBTQ+ optiMize Community Members!
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We are proud to release 2021’s Cohort IX booklet created by our Creative Team, featuring our funded Social Innovation teams and Organizing Team.
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This year, we are able to fund 36 projects and 46 Summer Fellows with $250,000. Even amidst a pandemic, these student projects continue to illuminate possibilities for a more just and sustainable world. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us!
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Last month, six students joined the optiMize Leadership Group as Social Innovation Challenge Leads. These students were selected from our support team to lead the organizing team in putting on the Social Innovation Challenge next fall. We are excited to introduce Tanvi, Tobin, Sahil, Sam, Linda, and Angela!
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The holiday season is once again upon us, and no matter what traditions you practice at this time of year, we all share a common thread; the joy of giving thoughtful gifts! Here are a few products, all from teams funded by optiMize over the last three years, that will take the stress out of gift-shopping and leave even the most eager of wrapping-paper-rippers smiling.
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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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optiMize will deliver its programming 100% online for the 2020-2021 school year and we're super excited about our plans for some really innovative experiences! We hope you’ll join us in committing to build a supportive and loving community, and we hope that being part of optiMize — no matter where you're living — will be a ray of light for you in this challenging time. Read our statement here.
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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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This year, we are able to fund 37 projects and 82 Summer Fellows with $350,000. 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!
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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?
Read MoreWe 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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