USD Magazine Fall 2021

orate with someone else. They are getting to experience what collective impact looks like. To me, success is in the process.” Students like Vicenta Martinez Govea ‘21 can select appropriate professional business attire at the Torero Closet for job nterviews. As USD celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its designation as a Changemaker Campus, both Williams and Rivas are reflecting on all that has been accomplished. Each is grateful for the opportunities presented to them over the past decade. For Rivas, his motivation from day one has been the students he’s been fortunate enough to work with. “We are a Change- maker Campus because the stu- dents make it so,” he says. “What makes us a Changemaker Cam- pus is that we, as an institution, continue to practice every day to become a better institution for everybody and an institution that provides opportunity and equity as well as inclusivity for all of us.”

“It’s making me a better citizen,” admits Williams, who couldn’t have imagined 10 years ago he’d be so closely connected with the Changemaker Hub and the changemaking mission of the university. It’s been a rewarding experience and one he wouldn’t change for anything. And as he looks ahead to what the future holds, Williams is motivated by a desire to continue to bring about change in our communities. “A decade from now, I would like the community members of San Diego, when they hear about USD, or when they come drive up the hill to us, to know we’re an institution that is willing to col- laborate with anyone in the com- munity on urgent challenges,” he says. “That we’re willing to de- vote our resources, our time and our skills to that. That we are a place that is dedicated to not just learning, but to taking positive action in the community. And that we are the kind of place you can come to for collaborations that make a difference.”

just ourselves. After all, that is what Catholicism is based on.” For Rivas, these prospective students exhibit the curiosity and motivation that inspire him in the work he does. “We all enter changemaking at different times in our lives,” he says. For him, success is seen in the daily application of these practices. “They’re learning the patience that it will take for them to make change in any particular setting. They are learning what it takes to collab-

“I have always felt that progress lies within helping those in need, and I believe students are some of the most motivated participants in furthering this progression,” wrote one 2021 applicant. For another prospective stu- dent, being part of the Change- maker community is essential to solving societal issues. “I want- ed to become a part of the path toward solving these issues so everyone can look forward to a better future. I would take this opportunity in a heartbeat, because it’s important for me to be aware of the imperfections of the world to gain and under- stand our personal values and find our place in the world.” At the heart of changemaking is USD’s mission rooted in Cath- olic Social Thought. “My goal as a Changemaker would be to improve the lives of others by focusing on the greater good,” wrote another applicant. “As Catholics, our job is to serve others just as Jesus did. Jesus found ways to feed the hungry and lead more Christians to help and follow Him. Today, as social entrepreneurs, we can start busi- nesses and movements that ben- efit our brothers and sisters, not Laurie Rowen ’04 (JD) and Erin Giglia ’01 (JD) shared tips on how to work from home with kids during COVID-19 school closures.

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Fall 2021