UFV refers to itself as a House of Transformation in its integrated strategic plan, and that’s not just a label. People from all over the university are living up to that promise, reimagining the future through the framework of changemaking. Changemakers Dr. James Mandigo, Dr. Anna Griffith, and Dr. Martha Dow are championing UFV’s institutional learning outcomes and inspiring a swath of new projects that make the world a better place.   

“Being a changemaker involves the actions we take to be a House of Transformation,” says James, UFV Provost and Vice President. “It’s the commitments that we make, both within the university and throughout our communities, to be agents of positive change.”      

Whether you’re decolonizing classrooms, bolstering sustainability, or advocating for social justice, anyone can be a changemaker. The changemaking lens provides resources and opportunity while amplifying the social impact of your work.  Examples of current UFV changemaking projects include OneHealth, the Sustainable Office Certification program, and the Teaching Inquiries into Pedagogical Practices (TIPP) fund.  

UFV is currently in the process of becoming a “Changemaker campus” through the Ashoka organization, a global community that identifies and supports social entrepreneurs to address global issues.  After beginning its application back in 2022, UFV receives its final evaluation this month.

There are four guiding principles that guide changemaking at UFV: empowerment, decolonization/Indigenization, sustainability, and reciprocity. By weaving these principles throughout UFV courses, content, instruction, and learning environments, UFV is on track to receive a Changemaker campus designation. This honour would offer international growth opportunities for both students and faculty and set an inspiring precedent for the next 50 Years Forward. 

Martha serves as the senior changemaking advisor. She notes that they are using a systems approach to tackle the root causes of inequity.  

“I really believe that we can engage in educating for citizenship in ways that we haven’t even imagined before,” she says.  

Anna, the changemaker curriculum developer, feels that this framework gives UFV community members the skills they need to face a complex, uncertain future with creativity and resilience.  

Not sure how you can make a difference? Changemaker and communications and design intern Skylar Janzen points out that change isn’t made in isolation — it’s meant to be done together.  

“It doesn’t matter what skill level you’re bringing, you’re engaging with other people to help address whatever issue you’re working on,” they say. 

“Just looking at the state of the world today, it’s overwhelming to think, ‘what can I actually do?’ But when you’re building that community and engaging with other people across different skillsets and talents, you’re making that change together — collaboratively.”   

Reach out to UFV Changemaking to learn how you can help create innovative solutions for a brighter tomorrow.