Changemaker Campus Designation

Global Network of Changemaking Ecosystems

Ashoka U is a global network of higher education institutions co-creating our role in society as major drivers of social impact.

Together, we envision a world where everyone acquires the skills, confidence, and motivation to create change for the good of all.

To realize this vision, we designate as Changemaker Campuses leading higher education institutions at the forefront of social innovation and changemaking.

Learn more Definitions & Frameworks

Designation Criteria

To become a Changemaker Campus, an institution needs to meet criteria for creating a strong campus-wide social innovation and changemaking ecosystem in these four (4) areas:

I. Visionary Leadership

II. Innovation and Excellence in Changemaking

III. Institutional Culture and Operations

IV. Institutional Field Building and Impact Influence

Strategic Benefits of the Process

Candidate campuses benefit from:

Systems Leadership Development
Institutional Change and Strategic Alignment
Powerful Visioning and Narrative Exercises
Changemaking Skills Knowledge

SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The Changemaker Campus designation process challenges and empowers your team to identify and clearly articulate your institution’s purpose and unfolding story. It provides leadership tools and training, unlocking the skills and language that your team needs to lead your campus forward!

INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE & STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

Through this process, you will assesses your current campus ecosystem, develop a collaborative strategy for advancing social innovation across and beyond your institution, and receive strategic and tactical guidance to refine and implement an action plan over the next four-to-five years.

POWERFUL VISIONING & NARRATIVE EXERCISE

This process is an opportunity to identify, articulate, and share a coherent and specific changemaking narrative, as well as goals and commitments for social entrepreneurship, social innovation, community engagement, quality improvement, and action

CHANGEMAKER SKILLS LEARNING JOURNEY

Through this process, you will have the opportunity to embark on a Changemaker skills journey through the Ashoka Changemaker Index™ (CMI) with some or all members of your campus and ecosystem. The CMI will provide knowledge and resources to strengthen the changemaker core skills and competencies.

Designation Process

The 12-18 month process takes individuals, students, faculty, staff, and community partners through a process of transformation. It begins with a self-study application and three phases:

1. 360° Campus Scan Cohort

2. Campus Site Visit

3. Selection Panel

PHASE 1: 360° CAMPUS SCAN COHORT

An online, peer-to-peer learning experience with coaching from Ashoka. Two to three Change Leaders from a Candidate Campus will take a systems leadership approach in order to map and assess their current ecosystem for social innovation and changemaking and build out a cohesive vision and action plan.
Time: 3.5 months | 1 semester

PHASE 2: CAMPUS SITE VISIT

Up to two Ashoka staff and a visiting Change Leader from a designated Changemaker Campus conduct a two-day Site Visit. They meet with students, faculty, staff, as well as the President or Provost and community partners, sharing insights on the Action Plan and offering strategic and tactical advice about the state of social innovation at the institution.
Time: 1 - 2 days + 1 month preparation

PHASE 3: SELECTION PANEL

Representatives from each candidate campus participate in a day-long series of interviews with expert panelists— including current Change Leaders, Ashoka Fellows, and social entrepreneurs— who determine whether the campus becomes a Changemaker Campus. The panel also provides opportunities for networking and strategic guidance.
Time: 1 - 2 days + 1 month preparation

POST DESIGNATION

ONBOARDING
After successfully passing the Selection Panel, Ashoka U works with the new Changemaker Campus to determine next steps, areas of growth, and potential partnerships. This includes a press release and formal announcement, as well as an orientation and 6-month check-in with the panelists.
Time: 6 months post-panel

NETWORK ENGAGEMENT
Once a campus has been welcomed to the Changemaker Campus Network, a world of opportunities is opened up!

Leadership roles on global boards and committees.
In-person and virtual networking events.
Access to Ashoka’s comprehensive services for activating and strengthening ecosystems.
Facilitated research partnerships and publishing opportunities.
Discounts on Ashoka products and services.
Quarterly Global Change Leader Calls.
Monthly newsletter.

Time: Next four years

Strategic Benefits of the Designation

As a designated Changemaker Campus, you will:

Attract & Recruit Changemaker Students
Build Peer-to-Peer Connections
Benefit from Our Network's Expertise
Empower & Activate Your Stakeholders

ATTRACT & RECRUIT CHANGEMAKER STUDENTS

Becoming a Changemaker Campus signals your institution’s commitment to equipping students for meaningful, purpose-driven careers after graduation.

BUILD PEER-TO-PEER CONNECTIONS

During and beyond the designation process, candidate Changemaker Campuses learn from and build relationships with each other, and have access to the expertise of Ashoka Fellows, leaders, and staff from around the world.

BENEFIT FROM OUR NETWORK'S EXPERTISE

Changemaker Campuses work with Ashoka’s global community to bring together innovative problem-solvers to address complex global issues around: technology and humanity, planet and climate, demographic shifts, migration, and gender. Ashoka offers resources for campuses to support families, school districts, and business partners in becoming changemakers.

EMPOWER & ACTIVATE YOUR STAKEHOLDERS

Becoming a Changemaker Campus is an opportunity to re-imagine faculty and staff professional development, community partnership, business development, and alumni relations. It’s a shift toward impact-oriented engagements that serve both campus and community.

Engagement with Ashoka Global Community

As a Changemaker Campus, you will play a leading role within Ashoka's global community.

The Ashoka U Network is led by the innovative community of Changemaker Campuses. It includes hundreds of additional higher education institutions, thousands of faculty, and millions of students. It has developed a wealth of resources to help engage all aspects of the higher education ecosystem.

Changemaker Campuses are an integral part of the global Ashoka community. The global Ashoka community is a living encyclopedia of changemaking and ecosystem activation with 4,000+ Ashoka Fellows, Ashoka Young Changemakers, innovative business leaders and companies.

Changemaker Campuses work with the Ashoka global community to bring together innovative problem-solvers to address complex global issues around: technology and humanity, planet and climate, demographic shifts, migration, and gender. Ashoka offers resources for campuses to support families, school districts, and business partners in becoming changemakers.