From campus to community: ASU’s Devils in Disguise Week makes lasting impact through service
Devils in Disguise Week has a history on campus at ASU and is now honored and led by Changemaker Central as an annual event. Photo by ASU
Local impact — embedded in the ASU Charter and culture on campus — is a high priority at Arizona State University. Motivated by this desire to serve, Sun Devils gathered on April 6 for the Devils in Disguise Week's finale, ASU’s largest day of community service, with volunteer activities across all four campuses.
Meeting in the Student Pavilion on the Tempe campus, students donned gold shirts and headed out for a day of giving.
Devils in Disguise Week has a history on campus at ASU and is now honored and led by Changemaker Central as an annual event. The event initially stemmed from the idea of giving back to the community while wearing Sparky masks, a symbol of solidarity and unity through service. By donning the masks, volunteers show that despite any external differences, Sun Devils unite through lending a helping hand.
Lizzy Cowgur, a first-year student studying human systems engineering at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, is the Changemaker campus lead for the Polytechnic campus. Cowgur discussed the impact of the tradition's history on the 2024 service week.
“Sun Devils might have a negative connotation since we’re named after devils,” Cowgur said. “It shows that, yes, we are Sun Devils, and we care about our community. We care about service. It’s not what you see on the outside but about what’s on the inside.”
Students engaged in a variety of programming and service opportunities throughout the first week of April across all four ASU campuses, including gardening projects, community space beautification, mural paintings, closet sortings, food box packing and more.
Some events took a creative approach, such as Shark Technic, a chance for students on the Polytechnic campus to pitch their ideas for new service projects.
Others focused on partnering with local businesses and organizations, such as the I-Help Day on the Tempe campus. Joined by Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, students served meals to individuals housed in an emergency shelter.
Lindsey Stevens, a third-year student studying social justice and human rights through the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, works as a team lead for Changemaker on the West Valley campus. She shared what makes the I-Help program significant for Sun Devils like herself.
“I used to volunteer with their organization when I was around 12 years old, and it changed my outlook on life,” Stevens said. “Sun Devils will be helping to directly serve a meal to residents of the I-Help program. We will be talking to them about their lives and learning more about how we can support them the best we can.”
For any Sun Devils who couldn’t attend the events offered throughout the week, the finale of Devils in Disguise offered many different service opportunities across the Valley.
Students within the first service group attended a storage bin beautification event in partnership with the Valley of the Sun United Way. These bins operate as a safe and secure area for clients to store their belongings when they seek services on campus.
The second group of Sun Devils assisted the Creighton Community Foundation in food box packing and distribution at Excelencia School, preparing 400 boxes for families in need. Sun Devils in the third group helped ignite a passion for urban farming and community exchange by beautifying a new community space at the Orchard Community Learning Center.
The final group brought their creativity to revitalize the Care Campus’ ASU-inspired community mural. They worked with Valley of the Sun United Way and Catholic Charities to bring the campus to life with a fresh coat of paint and helped sort clothing for families in need.
When asked about the importance of service at ASU, Shreya Omar, service chair of Changemaker Central for the Tempe campus, explained its impact.
“Service events play a pivotal role in fostering empathy, compassion and a sense of responsibility towards the community,” Omar said. “They provide students with invaluable opportunities to actively contribute to the betterment of society, learn about diverse issues and develop crucial teamwork skills.”
Sun Devils not only came out individually for the event but also joined together with their student organizations to increase their impact. One present at the finale was Combat Ready Robotics at ASU, a student-led group that designs and builds combat robots.
Blake Huffman, one of the members and a second-year student studying mechanical engineering at the Fulton Schools, shared why community service is important for college students.
“A lot of us focus on our school more than we have to, rather than what we can do for our community,” Huffman said. “It’s easy to get caught up in your schoolwork, but to look at the outside world and help others helps you to not be sad or stressed.”
Evelyn Dellaripa, a first-year student studying biomedical engineering at the Fulton Schools, was one of the other volunteers in attendance.
“I have participated in community service my whole life,” Dellaripa said. “It’s an invaluable experience for Sun Devils and a great way to give back, surrounded by peers.”
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