USF Changemakers

Changing the world from here is more than our mission — it’s a dare. We challenge our students, faculty, and alumni to set the world on fire, inspiring and invoking lasting change wherever life takes them.

Martha
Ryan

Bachelor's in French '72

Born to Deliver

Alumna cares for expectant, homeless mothers

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Rob
Cann

MA Sport Management '11

The Beautiful Game

How Rob Cann MA ’11 turned a soup kitchen soccer team into a national success story

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Kevin
Mullin

Communications Studies '92

Art of the Possible

Senior lawmaker devoted to expanding civic participation

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Julie
Nice,
Professor

School of Law

Making it Personal

Julie Nice connects her own experiences to the classroom, and asks her law students to do the same. The results are transformational.

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Changemaker Archives

Is Code a Force for Good?

This alumna and AngelHack founder thinks so.

SABEEN ALI, MASTER’S IN ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT ’09

Public Ally Number One

Manuel’s passion to turn tragedy into triumph for unaccompanied minors found its focus from our public health education.

MANUEL ARREDONDO, MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH '15

Important Work, Impressive Results

USF has instilled in this student leader the drive to make a difference.

KEVIN BACHAR, BACHELOR OF NURSING '16

Putting Her Money Where Her Values Are

A blend of social responsibility and environmental sustainability is Mary Bartlett’s secret ingredient.

MARY CLARK BARTLETT, ECONOMICS '05

Popular Science

A knack for talking science with non-scientists helps Brandon Brown stand out on campus and around the country.

Brandon Brown, Professor of Physics

The Beautiful Game

How Rob Cann MA ’11 turned a soup kitchen soccer team into a national success story.

Rob Cann MA in Sport Management ’11

Giant Opportunity

An internship with the SF Giants led to an opportunity with the Giants Community fund, the team’s nonprofit that gives kids a chance to play ball.

Carolyn Della Maggiore, Communication Studies '01

Common Law, Uncommon Lawyer

As a child, Cooper Findlay saw lawyers as community protectors. Now he's proving his vision wasn't just kid stuff.

COOPER FINDLAY, JD '16

Privacy Law: Online and Off the Record

A healthy democracy promotes privacy and law professor Susan Freiwald wants to keep it that way.

SUSAN FREIWALD, PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF LAW

Making the Most of a Second Chance

When an organ donor saved his life, Alfonso Garcia '16 resolved to pay the gift forward.

ALFONSO GARCIA, COMMUNICATION STUDIES '16

Public Health Hero

From teen volunteer to San Francisco’s director of public health, Barbara Garcia MPA ’01 embodies USF's spirit of service.

BARBARA GARCIA , Master of Public Administration ’01

In the Business of Humanity

Dave Griffis teaches his students that “today’s good deeds foster future glad tidings” — in business and life.

Dave Griffis, ’88, JD ’92

Injustice in the Criminal Justice System

A close encounter with police put Cristal Harris on the path to public defense.

Cristal Harris JD ’17

An Inclusive Look at the Past

By examining the past from distinctly different, and often underrepresented points of view, Candice Harrison is answering, “How did we get here?”

CANDICE HARRISON, ASSOC. HISTORY PROFESSOR, DIR. OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

Law in the Fast Lane

Max Hyatt changed career lanes to pursue international corporate law, leaving race car driving in his rear view mirror.

MAX HYATT, JD/MBA DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM '16

The Dream Continued

Taylor Jackson was inspired by a civil rights leader to tackle big political and ethical issues.

Taylor Jackson, Theology & Religious Studies ’14

A Long Walk in Big Shoes

Anne Kronenberg MPA '02, Harvey Milk's campaign manager, upholds his legacy in public service.

ANNE KRONENBERG, MPA '02

Headlines with Heart

Fed up with “death and destruction,” former reporter Toan Lam ’00 now looks for stories that inspire.

TOAN LAM, Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies '00

Heart of a Healer

Seanny survived a brutal dictatorship. Now she focuses her life on caring for others.

SEANNY MIN, DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE '09

The Art of the Matter

Tagger turned teacher Estria Miyashiro uses lessons from USF to empower students to create community art with a message.

ESTRIA MIYASHIRO, BACHELOR'S IN FINE ARTS '92

Art of the Possible

Senior lawmaker devoted to expanding civic participation

Kevin Mullin, Communication Studies '92

A Study in Passion and Faith

Jacqline Murillo’s transformation takes shape in the city by the bay.

JACQLINE MURILLO, PHILOSOPHY ‘16, MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH ‘18

Building Bridges Across Barriers

Teaching leadership to aspiring educators and administrators

GENEVIEVE NEGRÓN-GONZALES, ASST. PROFESSOR OF LEADERSHIP STUDIES

Making it Personal

Julie Nice connects her own experiences to the classroom, and asks her law students to do the same. The results are transformational.

JULIE NICE, PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF LAW

Changing the Face of Computer Science From Here

Alyssa Pohahau cracked the code on success: if you don’t know, ask.

ALYSSA POHAHAU, BACHELOR'S IN COMPUTER SCIENCE '14

Left Brain vs. Right Brain: Finding a Balance in Silicon City

USF taught Paresh how to turn creativity into reality.

PARESH RAVIKUMAR, MS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE '15

Look Good, Do Good

Union & Fifth charts a new path in charitable giving.

CHRISTENA REINHARD, MBA ’08

Born to Deliver

Alumna cares for expectant, homeless mothers

MARTHA RYAN, BACHELOR'S IN FRENCH '72

Called By Mother Teresa

Nurse leader trains to save lives.

VINCENT SAMUEL, Master of Science in Clinical Nurse Leadership

Drilling Down on Public Health and Fracking

Can improving the quality of our air, water, and food prevent chronic disease? Barbara Sattler thinks so.

BARBARA SATTLER, PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Why? How? Who? From Here

Professor Sears challenges her students to ask questions — to form a deeper understanding of oppression and our ability as humans to propel change.

Stephanie Sears, Associate Professor Of Sociology

Help for Refugees

Meron Semedar MA ’17 knows how to advocate for displaced people. He is one.

Meron Seminar, MA International Studies '17

Called to Action

Barry Stenger '73 practices what he preaches at San Francisco nonprofit St. Anthony’s Foundation

BARRY STENGER, PHILOSOPHY '73

Business as Unusual

Pursuing two contrasting but complementary majors — marketing and finance — gave Vinodini the skills to succeed after graduation.

VINODINI SURESH, BACHELOR'S IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION '15

Find Your Voice from Here

Enrolling at USF is a chance to find your voice, and an opportunity to speak out for others. Just ask Sarah Toutant.

SARAH TOUTANT, BACHELOR'S IN CRITICAL DIVERSITY STUDIES '16

The Dreammaker

Evan Vaughan helps marginalized students pursue their dreams.

Evan Vaughan, International Studies '13

Galaxy Quest

Exploring outer space and making science more inclusive for women and minorities.

APARNA VENKATESAN, ASSOC. PROFESSOR, PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY

Peace by Peace

Katie Zanoni ’17 believes peace is as important a classroom subject as math or science.

KATIE ZANONI, EDD IN INTERNATIONAL AND MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION '17

I Googled USF. I went to the mission and value statement, and I was sold. That's really what did it for me. Social justice stuck out for me. And diversity. And just general holistic pedagogy."

Jacqline Murillo, Philosophy ‘16, Master of Public Health ‘18