Ashoka
Brigham Young University, located in Provo, Utah, United States, seeks to develop students of faith, intellect, and character who have the skills and the desire to continue learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Established in 1875, the university provides an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU is known for its beautiful mountain location, its internationally experienced student body, its extensive language programs, its entrepreneurially minded students, and its motto, ‘Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve.’ BYU is a private, nonprofit university with a Carnegie classification of ‘Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity.’ It is home to 30,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. In 2003, the Melvin J. Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance was created to provide a home and catalyst for enhancing existing and new academic efforts in social innovation throughout campus. The Ballard Center focuses on helping students learn to solve social problems—a goal from the university’s mission statement. In the 2017-2018 academic year, over 2,200 students participated in deeper social innovation classes, internships, and competitions, while another 4,500 students participated in one-day events.
Todd Manwaring
My introduction to social innovation occurred in 1996. My wife and I had gone to a RESULTS fundraiser where we found ourselves listening to Muhammad Yunus. Yunus’ presentation was nothing short of inspiring. I remember being moved by his message and persona. That introduction became the catalyst for change within our family. We moved to get out of our comfort zone, my wife and I both entered masters programs looking for more change tools, and we became engaged in social causes. My wife focused on local education while I focused on microcredit and social entrepreneurship. Today I am committed to building sustainable curricular and co-curricular social innovation programs on BYU’s campus and helping students with their journey of discovery and ongoing involvement in social innovation.