Dean urges students to apply to Innovation Challenge

Taking action is a cornerstone of both the Clinton Global Initiative University and Arizona State University’s Innovation Challenge. With that in mind, Mitzi Montoya, dean of the College of Technology and Innovation at ASU’s Polytechnic campus, is committing some extra seed money for the top three finalists to Innovation Challenge from her college.

Montoya will give the top college finalist $1,500, the second place finalist $1,000 and the third place finalist $500 to go toward their projects.

“We want to show students we are serious about making their ideas happen,” Montoya said. “By providing additional seed money, we hope that it encourages more students to take action and move their ideas forward.”

“We hope that by putting seed money behind our support in the Innovation Challenge that we can encourage other colleges and schools to follow suit to increase student engagement in entrepreneurial activities,” Montoya added.

ASU students with a project that makes a positive social impact are encouraged to apply to the ASU Innovation Challenge by Nov. 22. Those projects then can be submitted in an early round of applications to the Clinton Global Initiative University.

Arizona State University will host the upcoming Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Annual Meeting on the Tempe campus, March 21-23, 2014. CGI U is looking for students with ideas that relate to one of five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation and public health.

CGI U will select 1,200 students from around the world to attend, based on their commitments to action – new, specific and measurable initiatives that address social or environmental challenges on campuses, in communities or in different parts of the world.

According to Montoya, both the ASU Innovation Challenge and the Clinton Global Initiative University should be of natural interests to ASU students.  

“The Innovation Challenge embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that we weave into every student’s experience in the College of Technology and Innovation,” Montoya said. “The challenge also gives students the opportunity to embrace their big idea and empowers them with the resources needed to execute their ideas.”

“Being part of the Clinton Global Initiative is an opportunity to put our students and our institution on the map as a destination for prospective students who want to make positive change through entrepreneurship and innovation,” she added.

Interested in attending? To do so, ASU students must complete this two-step process by Nov. 22:  

1. Submit an application to the ASU Innovation Challenge, a seed funding competition organized by Changemaker Central.

2. Submit an application to CGI U that details your commitment to action. Questions can be emailed to changemaker@asu.edu.