Changemaker Collaborative

semester-in-the-city-walking-through-downtown-boston

The Changemaker Collaborative (formerly known as the Center for Social Innovation and Enterprise) brings together students, faculty, staff, businesses, non-profits and government agencies committed to advancing positive change for the good of all. The Collaborative supports the next generation of skilled, courageous and confident leaders, through real-world experiences and the tools of public policy and business, while helping community partners advance their sustainability initiatives.

How does the Changemaker Collaborative achieve this goal? Through a variety of programs and events that serve UNH’s students and alumni, as well as regional businesses, nonprofits, and the community at large. These programs and events include the annual Social Venture Innovation Challenge, the B Impact Clinic, and social innovation internships.

The Carsey School and Paul College founded the Changemaker Collaborative, and in 2019 the UNH Sustainability Institute joined the partnership, a move that reflects the Collaborative’s emphasis on helping students to discover solutions to some of society’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Over the years, many Carsey students have participated in the Changemaker Collaborative's programs. Additionally, we've partnered with the Collaborative to offer educational funding to graduates of the Semester in the City program who pursue a master's degree at Carsey.

  Visit the Changemaker Collaborative website

 

“As we develop solutions to the range of societal challenges faced globally, nationally, and locally, the tools of business, and businesses themselves, can play a significant constructive role. Through its education, research and public engagement, [the Changemaker Collaborative] develops and promotes this intersection between public policy and business.”

~Carsey School Director Michael Ettlinger

Student Profile: Juliana Good '20, '21G (MPP)

Master in Public Policy student Juliana Good has participated in several Center for Social Innovation and Enterprise/Changemaker Collaborative programs, including the New Hampshire Social Venture Innovation Challenge and the Social Innovation Internship.

 

Changemaker Collaborative/Carsey Students & Alumni

  • With Alum Juliana Good '20 '21G (MPP)
    "In the words of Nike: Just Do It! This is an incredibly flexible, supportive, and engaging program that will translate your plans for changing the world into tangible work."        ~(MPP) student Juliana Good '20, '21G
    With Alum Juliana Good '20 '21G (MPP)
    "In the words of Nike: Just Do It! This is an incredibly flexible, supportive, and engaging program that will translate your plans for changing the world into tangible work."        ~(MPP) student Juliana Good '20, '21G
  • With Alum Matt Wilhelm '16G (MPA)
    Matt Wilhelm '16G was considering ways he might be able to take the next step in his career. With a young family and a full-time job, pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at the Carsey School posed a time management...
    With Alum Matt Wilhelm '16G (MPA)
    Matt Wilhelm '16G was considering ways he might be able to take the next step in his career. With a young family and a full-time job, pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at the Carsey School posed a time management...

Changemaker Collaborative Academic Programs

Changemaker students walk on the waterfront in boston

Semester in the City

Semester in the City is a fully-credited fellowship program that gives undergraduate students the opportunity to spend a semester learning hands-on through well-supported internships in the social sector. As a fellow in Semester in the City, you will intern with a nonprofit, social mission business, or government agency for 30 hours per week for a full-semester. Learn More

The Carsey School offers a $5,000 education award to Semester in the City graduates who pursue one of our master's degrees. Additionally, any student who has completed the Semester in the City program and is pursuing the Master in Public Policy program is eligible to have his or her internship requirement waived. Visit our partnership webpage to learn more.

social-innovation

The NH Social Innovation Challenge

The NH Social Innovation Challenge (SVIC) invites students (as individuals or in teams of up to 5 members) from across the state to identify pressing social, environmental or economic issues at the state, national or global level, and develop innovative, sustainable, business-oriented ideas to solve them. Learn more

Over the years, many Carsey School alumni and current students have participating in the NH SVIC, among them Master in Public Policy graduate Marisa Rafal '20G and Master in Community Development graduate Hannah MacBride '13G. You can read an article on their success at the 2020 SVIC below.

photo of changemaker fellows

Sustainability Fellowships

Sustainability Fellowships pair exceptional undergraduate students and post-baccalaureates from UNH and universities across the United States* with municipal, educational, corporate, and non-profit partners to work on transformative sustainability initiatives. Each summer, Fellows undertake challenging sustainability projects that are designed to create an immediate impact, offer an extraordinary learning experience, and foster meaningful collaboration.  While working with their mentors and partner organizations, Fellows are supported by their Fellowship peers as well as an active network of partners, alumni, and the UNH team, as they emerge as the next generation of sustainability leaders. Learn more

*International students who are currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university are welcome and encouraged to apply. 

Changemakers in the News

Jessica Forrest (fourth from left) and Hannah MacBride (third from right) with judges from the NH Social Venture Innovation Challenge.

Carsey Alum & Student Take Home Prizes at NH SVIC 2019

Hannah MacBride ’07, ‘13, Marisa Rafal ’19, ‘20G win with toy-sharing themed projects
The annual New Hampshire Social Venture Innovation Challenge (SVIC) highlights and awards seed money to innovative, socially oriented projects and business plans submitted by full-and part-time students from New Hampshire universities and colleges, current New Hampshire residents and University of New Hampshire alumni based anywhere in the world. Co-hosted by the Carsey School, the Center for...
Team presentation at the Social Venture Innovation Challenge

UNH Celebrates Students and Alumni at Annual Social Venture Innovation Challenge

Paige Balcom ’16 named 2023 Social Innovator of the Year
Student and alumni innovators alike were celebrated last week at the culminating events of the NH Social Venture Innovation Challenge (SVIC), UNH’s annual idea competition. Paige Balcom ’16 (CEPS, mechanical engineering) was named the 2023 UNH Social Innovator of the Year during the festivities. The award is among the university’s most prestigious, recognizing leaders with a demonstrated...
Q&A with Masami Dustin ‘21

Q&A with Masami Dustin ‘21

B.S. Business Administration, Management
When you came to UNH had you planned on weaving in a focus on social innovation or sustainability into your major and why?  I knew since my junior year of high school that I would want to major in business come college, though it wasn’t until recently that I found a true passion for social innovation. My entire life, I’ve always been interested in helping people, and business in my eyes was...