{"id":4567,"date":"2026-01-21T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/?p=4567"},"modified":"2026-01-20T23:54:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T23:54:24","slug":"its-about-purpose-how-to-build-an-idea-as-a-changemaker-at-asu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/2026\/01\/21\/its-about-purpose-how-to-build-an-idea-as-a-changemaker-at-asu\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s About Purpose: How to Build an Idea as a Changemaker at ASU"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"566\" src=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1.jpg\" alt=\"A person smiling at an outdoor event.\" class=\"wp-image-4568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by ASU Media at ASU\u2019s Change the World event<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019ve spent any time at ASU, you\u2019ve probably seen it firsthand. We don\u2019t just talk about making a difference at ASU\u2014students actually do it. From launching nonprofits to building apps that address mental health or creating sustainable products, Sun Devils are stepping up in ways that go far beyond the traditional idea of a startup. For many of us, the goal isn\u2019t just to build something big. We want to build something meaningful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This whole idea is rooted in what Bill Drayton, founder of the global nonprofit organization <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashoka.org\/en-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ashoka<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, calls being a <\/span><b>changemaker<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. A changemaker is someone who sees a problem, decides it\u2019s worth fixing and brings people together to create a solution. It sounds big, but honestly, it\u2019s something students at ASU do every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ASU is one of the few universities recognized as an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashoka.org\/en-us\/ashoka-changemaker-campus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Ashoka Changemaker Campus<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This designation was recently renewed by Ashoka U based on the university\u2019s commitment to advancing social innovation. What that means is that our university is committed to giving people real opportunities to create impact, whether in local communities or on a global scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What makes this especially powerful today is that students aren\u2019t coming to school in a bubble. Many are balancing school with work, family responsibilities and complicated life experiences. We\u2019re dealing with real issues, and a lot of us want our education to help us do something about them. That\u2019s exactly where ASU\u2019s changemaker ecosystem comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>So What Does It Mean to Be a Changemaker at ASU?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At ASU, a changemaker is anyone who:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cares about a problem<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wants to make things better<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Knows collaboration is key<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Builds solutions with a bigger purpose behind them<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And yes\u2014this absolutely connects to entrepreneurship. It\u2019s the kind of entrepreneurship that puts solving real problems ahead of profit. That framing resonates with a lot of students and our broader community. This is true especially now, because doing work that creates real impact develops agency and purpose for a future that might feel more unpredictable than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not every changemaker is trying to build a business, but every changemaker is building something: a movement, a solution, a community or a new way forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"566\" src=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-2.jpg\" alt=\"Six people sitting at a desk and collaborating.\" class=\"wp-image-4569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-2.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-2-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-2-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by ASU Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3><b>How You Can Get Involved (Even If You\u2019re Not Sure Where to Start)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of the best things about ASU? There\u2019s no perfect way to start making an impact. You can jump in wherever you feel comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>1. Volunteer and Meet People<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/changemaker.asu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Changemaker Central<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> hosts volunteer opportunities throughout the year focused on service, sustainability, social entrepreneurship, innovation and civic engagement. The program is student-led, which means students are empowering other students to transform their passions into real impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>2. Join <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/eoss.asu.edu\/clubs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Clubs<\/b><\/a><b> That Match Your Interests\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No matter what cause you care about\u2014education, sustainability, technology, human rights, health or something entirely unique\u2014there\u2019s likely a student organization dedicated to it at ASU. And if not, ASU makes it pretty easy to start one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>3. Take Classes That Help You Explore Social Issues<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Choose courses that challenge you to think critically about real-world problems and give you hands-on experience with social impact. Many ASU professors incorporate community-focused projects directly into their curriculum, and several degree programs are designed specifically for students who want to make meaningful change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>4. Share Your Ideas at Campus Events Like <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/eoss.asu.edu\/change-the-world\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Change the World<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each spring, hundreds of students come together to showcase their ideas, research and ventures. It\u2019s inspiring, high-energy and a great place to meet collaborators or just see what other students are up to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"566\" src=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-3.jpg\" alt=\" Two students working together in a campus garden, engaging in hands-on outdoor activities.\" class=\"wp-image-4570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-3.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-3-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-3-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by ASU Media of students at ASU Polytechnic campus<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3><b>Ready to Build Something? Here\u2019s Where ASU Really Shines.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your idea starts to grow beyond a class project or volunteer effort, the <\/span><b>J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers pathways to turn it into something real.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/programs\/venture-devils\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Venture Devils<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is where a lot of student ventures get their start. Venture Devils connects ASU students with mentors, gives access to training and workshops and helps students prepare to pitch for funding. There\u2019s a whole competitive funding track specifically for <\/span><b>social innovation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> projects. Whether it\u2019s a for-profit venture, a nonprofit idea in development or even a social awareness campaign, the Venture Devils program is one of several offerings from the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute relevant to the journey as a changemaker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here, you\u2019ll explore how to balance mission-driven goals with financial sustainability. Nonprofits and advocacy initiatives still require a deep understanding of their audiences and competitive landscape to make a lasting difference. With an entrepreneurial mindset, students are creating social-impact ventures that are both purposeful and strategically grounded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recent student teams have earned funding for projects focused on everything from climate action to youth empowerment to improving mental health access. If you\u2019ve got an idea with purpose behind it, this is where you go to test it, grow it and maybe even get funded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-4-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\" Four students campus leaders collaborating at an innovative learning space\" class=\"wp-image-4571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-4-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-4-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-4-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-4.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by ASU Media of student leaders at ASU Polytechnic campus<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3><b>Why Purpose Really Matters for Students Today<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most students today aren\u2019t just juggling classes. Many are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Working long hours<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Caring for family<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Navigating financial pressures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dealing with real-world issues that shape what they care about<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Because of that, \u201cpurpose-driven work\u201d isn\u2019t just trendy\u2014it\u2019s personal. Students want to build solutions that come from their own experiences and values. And ASU\u2019s system makes it possible to build those solutions <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">while<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> earning a degree.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Finding Your Personal Path to Purpose<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There\u2019s no single roadmap to becoming a changemaker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What matters is that ASU provides space to explore, experiment, build and connect with people who genuinely want to see you succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Looking Beyond ASU<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re thinking about taking your idea outside the university, competitions like the TCU Neeley School of Business <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neeley.tcu.edu\/Centers\/Institute-for-Entrepreneurship-and-Innovation\/Values-and-Ventures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Values and Ventures Competition<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offer mentorship and funding for student entrepreneurs building purpose-driven ventures. It\u2019s a great next step once you\u2019ve tested your idea through something like Venture Devils. This global competition shows that there is a growing demand around the world for students who innovate with both purpose and profit in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Wrapping It Up: Purpose Is the New Path Forward<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You don\u2019t need to have a fully polished idea to be a changemaker. You just need the desire to make something better\u2014and the willingness to start somewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At ASU, you\u2019ll find the tools, community and support to build something meaningful. Purpose isn\u2019t just a buzzword here\u2014it\u2019s a way of learning, leading and creating that\u2019s becoming part of who we are as Sun Devils. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re a student or recent graduate interested in entrepreneurship, Edson E+I offers the support you need to continue your entrepreneurial journey or discover how to get started.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You aren\u2019t just here to study the world. You\u2019re here to change it. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/programs\/student-outreach-engagement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Learn more here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you\u2019ve spent any time at ASU, you\u2019ve probably seen it firsthand. We don\u2019t just talk about making a difference at ASU\u2014students actually do it. From launching nonprofits to building","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":4568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[33,300,13,37,20,21,52,29,46],"class_list":["post-4567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-entrepreneurs","tag-asu","tag-changemaker","tag-edson","tag-entrepreneur","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-higher-education","tag-small-business","tag-student-entrepreneur","tag-venture-devils"],"uds_featured_image":{"id":4568,"alt_text":"","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":1013,"height":566,"file":"2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1.jpg","filesize":67946,"sizes":{"medium":{"file":"ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1-300x168.jpg","width":300,"height":168,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":10233,"source_url":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1-300x168.jpg"},"thumbnail":{"file":"ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":5517,"source_url":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1-150x150.jpg"},"medium_large":{"file":"ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1-768x429.jpg","width":768,"height":429,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":41614,"source_url":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1-768x429.jpg"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":4567,"source_url":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/ASU-Blog-How-to-Engage-Grow-as-a-Changemaker-1.jpg"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>It\u2019s About Purpose: How to Build an Idea as a Changemaker at ASU - Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/2026\/01\/21\/its-about-purpose-how-to-build-an-idea-as-a-changemaker-at-asu\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"It\u2019s About Purpose: How to Build an Idea as a Changemaker at ASU - Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you\u2019ve spent any time at ASU, you\u2019ve probably seen it firsthand. 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