A student rally during Anti-Hate Week.

Advocacy and Activism

Get involved with Advocacy & Activism

Being an engaged citizen and leader requires you to know and use the power of your voice to create the world you wish to see. The Center for Social Impact’s Activism and Advocacy Pathway highlights efforts across campus to educate, train, challenge and inspire students to grow as compassionate voices for change, using collaborative and transformational leadership. Click here to get connected with ways to get involved on campus.

Student Organizations

Whether you’re passionate about advocacy and activism already or are interested in learning more about the needs of your community, the following are only a few of the groups available to you.

  • Students for Social Innovation (affiliated with Design for America) utilizes the design thinking process to address social issues on campus or in the local community. Students are active in raising awareness, as well as designing long-term solutions.
  • Black Student Association (BSA) empowers Black students on campus and provides a sense of community to support student success.
  • OUTreach works to promote understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.
  • Green Scene is dedicated to environmental education through on-campus activities.
Two hands forming the shape of a heart.

Funding Opportunities

  • Big Idea Grants can help students answer the question, “What if?” What if I could sit down for coffee with a leading non-profit director to learn about how to launch and run a humanitarian organization? What if I could pay for that webinar or weekend training course to better understand poverty and community development? Big Idea Grants are small amounts of money that can lead to big change.
Students at a protest rally.

Courses to Consider

Explore courses in our Leadership, Ethics, and Values program that help prepare you for effective and informed activism:

LEAD 100 - Design Thinking for Social Impact

LEAD 200 - Social Innovation

LEAD 220 - Leadership for Changemaking

Students sitting on the steps of the Larrance Academic Center.

Internships

Making a positive impact with your career starts with having a vision for your vocation. The Center for Social Impact maintains partnerships with leading local and national social enterprises where students can take the next steps in pursuing a life of deep meaning and purpose. In partnership with North Central’s Career Development Office, we connect students to internships with organizations like:

  • DuPage United
  • Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program
A student holding a megaphone at a protest rally.