MCC has joined the Clinton Global Initiative University Network (CGI U), a growing consortium of colleges and universities that support, mentor, and provide seed funding to student leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. MCC is now one of more than 50 colleges and universities worldwide who have joined the CGI University Network.
MCC student leaders Mariel Rivera, president of MCC’s Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project; Courtney Colegrove, vice president; and Chloe Vazzana, past president, were selected to pursue their Commitments to Action at CGI U 2014, March 21-23, in Phoenix, Ariz. MCC is the only community college represented at this year’s conference. Commitments to Action, a unique feature of the CGI U model, are new, specific, and measurable initiatives that address global challenges across CGI U’s five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health.
The MCC students’ commitment is entitled Brighten a Child’s Future, an effort to impact the delivery of clean drinking water and hygiene education to villages in South Sudan. In addition to $10,000 in financial support from the college, faculty members are mentoring the students as they develop and implement their plans. MCC Associate Professor of English and member of the Water for South Sudan Board of Directors Angelique Stevens will accompany the students to the conference. Rivera, Colegrove and Vazzana will present their proposal this weekend.
“We are honored to participate in CGI U at Arizona State University this weekend,” said Rivera. “The Clintons are bringing together nearly 1,200 students, educators and others to share ideas on ways to make our world a better place. We’re excited about this opportunity to help people make the connection between clean drinking water and the future of hygiene education in South Sudan.”
“Exceptional learning and leadership opportunities like those offered by MCC’s Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project and the Clinton Global Initiative University inspire students to think of themselves in a global context,” said Michael J. McDonough, MCC provost and vice president of academic services. “MCC empowers students and helps them develop the confidence to be leaders.”
Since its inaugural meeting in 2008, CGI U has brought together more than 5,500 student leaders from 135 countries and more than 800 schools. Past speakers include Madeleine Albright, Jack Dorsey, Muhammad Yunus, Hawa Abdi Diblawe, and Jon Stewart. For more information about the meeting, visit www.cgiu.org.
About CGI U
The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) brings together college students to address global challenges with practical, innovative solutions. CGI U participants do more than simply discuss problems– they take concrete steps to solve them by creating action plans, building relationships, participating in hands-on workshops, and following up with CGI U as they complete their projects. Previous CGI U meetings have taken place at Tulane University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Miami, the University of California at San Diego, the George Washington University, and Washington University in St. Louis, and have convened more than 5,500 students from over 800 schools and 135 countries. To learn more, visit www.cgiu.org.
Rosanna Condello
Marketing and Community Relations
03/21/2014 |