A decade of changing the world (and my life!)

Some places don’t just teach you. They transform you. The Center for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania is one of those sacred spaces where your calling gets louder, your vision gets clearer, and your impact gets deeper.

I know this because CSIS changed my life. My journey started with a certificate from the executive program in social impact strategy. I then went on to earn my master’s degree in nonprofit leadership and social impact strategy.

Now, as CSIS celebrates its 10th anniversary, I’m feeling all the gratitude for this place that continues to equip #Firestarters from around the globe with the tools, community and courage to create lasting change.

A Decade of Impact

Over the past 10 years, CSIS has grown from a bold vision into a powerhouse of social innovation. Based at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice, CSIS lives its mission every single day: “to make tools and resources for social impact available to anyone, anywhere.”

And when CSIS says “anywhere,” they mean anywhere. Students hail from countries around the world and from every professional sector. They’re different ages and at different career stages, but they all share the desire to become #MovementMakers.

Since I last wrote about CSIS in 2023, CSIS has been magnifying its impact even more with new initiatives. Ariel Schwartz, the managing director of CSIS, told me about a new research project on corporate social responsibility funded by the Satell Institute. She also filled me in about an exciting new collaboration with CLLCTIVLY, a social change organization based in Baltimore, to provide fellowships for Black entrepreneurs in that city. Jamye Wooten, the founder of CLLCTIVLY, was an early student in the CSIS executive program, and many other staff members have since come through CSIS programs.

“It’s really cool when we can work with our former students,” Ariel says. (Got a vision for an ongoing collaboration with CSIS like CLLCTIVLY’s? Email Ariel directly at arielsch@upenn.edu.)

Meanwhile, CSIS youth programs—including Changemakers Academy and AFS Global You Changemaker + Student Learning Journey—have exploded in popularity, serving over 1,200 young people this year alone, Ariel told me.

Programs That Meet You Where You Are

One of the things I love most about CSIS is that they understand we’re all on different paths. That’s why they offer such a diverse range of programs.

As both a research and action center, CSIS is committed to providing relevant, up-to-date education with immediate real-world application. Their programs are designed for accessibility and affordability—because world-class social impact training shouldn’t be limited to those who can afford pricey degree programs.

Whether you’re looking for an intensive multi-month certificate program, a condensed boot camp experience or an immersive residential fellowship, CSIS has created pathways for changemakers at every level. What makes these programs special isn’t just the curriculum—it’s the cohort-based approach that invites you to learn alongside colleagues from different sectors and backgrounds.

Start Learning for Free

Accessibility is a key part of the CSIS mission, so you can take advantage of several free or reduced-cost opportunities to gain some world-changing know-how. CSIS has partnered with the Penn Center for Inclusive Innovation & Technology for a powerful speaker series that anyone can attend free online. The next scheduled speaker is November 10: the Rev. Charles Lattimore Howard, PhD, Penn’s chaplain who has recently been elevated to “chief community keeper.”

You can even take a couple of free courses online: Social Impact Strategy: Tools for Entrepreneurs and Innovators, taught by CSIS founder Peter Frumkin, and Arts and Culture Strategy, taught by Frumkin and Russell Willis Taylor. If you complete the Social Impact Strategy class, you’re eligible to apply for the Global Social Impact House program for social entrepreneurs at the pilot stage of new initiatives. This year, CSIS was able to offer two free impact houses. The center also subsidizes a class so more students can take advantage of CSIS  at a reduced cost, which varies each year.

The Ripple Effect: Alumni Making Waves

The real proof of CSIS’s impact? Its alumni.

I mentioned Jamye Wooten and his organization’s fellowships above. But I also wanted to catch up with the alumni interviewed for my last article. First up: Ashley Mudd, who holds both a master of science in nonprofit leadership and an executive certificate in social impact strategy. Since we last talked in 2023, Ashley wrapped up her master’s and returned as a teaching fellow for both CSIS and the nonprofit leadership programs. But she didn’t stop there. She launched her own coaching and facilitation practice, working with leaders who are exhausted by the status quo and hungry for new ways to make progress.

“There are two CSIS values that underpin all of my work: Build community and authorize yourself,” Ashley shares. “What started as aspirational values have become conscious practices I bring into my daily life.”

Then there’s Tatiana Gonzalez Quiroga, who completed the executive program in social impact strategy in 2022. Now serving as public policy director at the Alzheimer’s Association Louisiana Chapter, Tatiana leads government affairs strategies and advocates for the 95,000 individuals in Louisiana living with Alzheimer’s, plus their caregivers.

“When we work in this field of lobbying and having to push forward legislation that impacts the daily lives of others, it’s important to scale back on our ideas and ensure that everyone is included,” Tatiana explains. “A lot of the times, especially with Alzheimer’s, it affects different people—like the Latino community and the African American community—at higher rates. So it’s important to always have that perspective and ensure that everyone’s voice is getting heard.”

The CSIS experience taught her to center equity in policy work, making sure the solutions she crafts serve all those affected by the disease.

Join the Celebration

This year is packed with opportunities to connect with the CSIS community. Keep your eye out for events. Interested in joining the CSIS family? We’d love to have you! Info sessions are happening throughout the fall for various programs. Visit csis.upenn.edu for the latest dates. You can email admissions@csis.upenn.edu with questions.

Invest in the Next Generation of Changemakers

CSIS has spent a decade keeping costs accessible because they’re committed to making social impact education available to as many people as possible. But that mission needs support, so the center has just launched a fundraising initiative. Ariel is thoughtful about balancing the fact that other worthy organizations may have more urgent needs right now with the importance of the work CSIS does.  “If we don’t invest in our changemakers moving forward, then there won’t be any,” she reminds us. A donation to support CSIS helps ensure that the next Ashley, the next Tatiana, the next you can access the tools, community, and transformation that CSIS provides.

 

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