News New Program Paves Way for Local, Global Social Innovation Impact

April 27, 2023

To better prepare students to take their place as innovative leaders for social and ethical change, Hartwick has launched a new program that paves theHartwick College Logo way for a path of local and global impact and contribution.

Through a rigorous social innovation experience offered through the Griffiths Center for Collaboration and Innovation (GCCI), the Leaders in Social Innovation (LSI) program will connect the expertise of Hartwick’s faculty and students to the needs of the community, both local and global. The “learn-by-doing” approach will allow students to tackle real-world challenges such as sustainable agriculture, food insecurity and carbon emissions.

Tapping a framework based on the widely recognized scholarship and thought leadership of Ashoka, an organization that believes that all individuals can create positive social change in their own unique ways, regardless of job, income, or social position, to play an active role in making the world a better place.

“Education has the power to be transformative,” said Michael Walsh, director of the GCCI.
“And this program gives those students interested in social innovation the theoretical and applied tools to develop real-world solutions and better outcomes for the businesses and organizations they serve.”

The program begins in the fall and is open to students in any major. Applications can be submitted as early as the first semester of the sophomore year.

Students will study entrepreneurial leadership, strategy, and culture through the social impact lens by participating in a 4-credIt hour practicum and 12-16 credit hours of rigorous instruction in social innovation. Course topics include social innovation, design thinking, artificial intelligence, systems thinking, and impact assessment.

Students will be required to participate in a summer internship and immerse themselves in an organizational ecosystem focusing on social impact.

Additionally, students will be able to connect with successful founders, investors, executives, entrepreneurs and other innovators in classes, on global experiences and other on-campus events.

They will also be expected to engage with leading social entrepreneurs and innovators through a structured mentor/match program which pairs each student with a social impact leader that supports their goals and interests.

For more information about the LSI program, contact Michael Walsh at walshm@hartwick.edu or 607-431-4009, or visit the program website at www.hartwick.edu/LSI.