ASU’s Change the World event empowers students to pitch bold ideas

Arizona State University’s annual Change the World event serves as a conduit for student creativity, imploring Sun Devils to answer the question: What can I do to change the world?

The March 18 event will offer motivated students a valuable opportunity to showcase their ideas and accomplishments within the Sun Devil community, while prize winners get the chance to fund their ventures and make vital industry connections.

Jared Weatherby — a Barrett, The Honors College junior student double-majoring in finance and accounting with a minor in mathematics — is the student lead for the Change the World Pitch Committee.

“Change the World is an annual event where students can pitch their big ideas and receive feedback from judges on areas like need, feasibility, originality and presentation,” Weatherby said. “It’s a large-scale event held at Mountain America Stadium, and we typically have more than 200 pitch teams presenting their ideas. This will be my second year leading the pitch committee, and I’m really excited about the improvements and changes we’ve made for this upcoming year.”

As Pitch Student Chair, Weatherby is responsible for the overall strategy and execution of the pitch experience at Change the World. This includes stage readiness, staffing coverage and real-time issue resolution during the event, serving as the communication bridge between staff leadership and the student committee.

“Cross-functionally, I coordinate closely with committees like production, judging — which I also serve on — and marketing to ensure the pitch program is cohesive and consistent for both participants and judges,” he said. “I also help design and refine the pitch structure itself, including the format, timing, judging rubric and evaluation process. Finally, I focus on continuous improvement by identifying what worked, what didn’t and what needs to change year-over-year, then communicating those needs to stakeholders and helping implement improvements.”

With improvements made every year, the 2026 event is anticipated to provide participating students with expanded visibility of their ideas and the resources to make them happen.

“I want Change the World to be the largest student event of the year. Not just in attendance, but in impact, too,” Weatherby said. “My goal is for students to feel like they have a true before-and-after experience. They come in with an idea, and they leave with real momentum, support and a clearer pathway to make it happen. That includes expanding mentorship opportunities, building stronger sponsorship and scholarship pathways and creating themed pitch stages where teams are evaluated by judges with real-world experience in the specific area they’re pitching.”

Weatherby hopes that Change the World will demonstrate to his fellow Sun Devils that they don’t have to wait until after graduation day to make an impact.

“Change the World is important because it gives students a platform to practice leadership, communication and project development,” he said. “It also reinforces the idea that students don’t have to wait until after graduation to start making an impact. There are also other parts of the event, such as Exhibit, Art and Performance, which are structured a little differently than Pitch.”

ASU students are invited to apply for the following components of Change the World, with applications due by Feb. 27.

• Pitch: 

  If you have the next great concept in an area like education, sustainability, business, engineering, health care, law or policy, pitch your idea to your peers and the community at Change the World. You will have one minute to present your idea, including visuals.

• Art: 

  Whether it be paint, animation, sculpture, photography, fashion, music, mixed media, architecture or or another medium, show how you’re using art to impact the community by submitting your artwork.

• Performance: 

  Use your talent in dance, music, poetry or spoken word to inspire your fellow Sun Devils through a 10-minute onstage performance.

• Exhibit: 

  Have an initiative idea that would change the world? Use this opportunity to explain your venture, enterprise or vision and exhibit your solution. A table space or easel to display ideas, photos, prototypes or other work will be provided.

Change the World is not just for college students. The Rising Innovator Challenge, also part of the event, allows high school students to showcase creative solutions, performances and art that address real-world challenges alongside current ASU students. Apply by Feb. 28 to participate in the Rising Innovator Challenge.

“Change the World is free for ASU students and the broader ASU community. Depending on the year and format, some parts may require registration, but generally it’s very accessible,” Weatherby said. “I’d recommend checking the official event page for the most current details on registration and attendance, but in general it’s designed to be open and welcoming to the community.”