Changemaking Spotlights

A Changemaking Major on a Changemaker Campus

At UE, changemaking is built into the academic experience. Social Justice students learn how to diagnose problems, work with communities, and implement solutions that create measurable impact. ChangeLabs give students the opportunity to turn academic knowledge into real social action by helping them design projects, partner with community organizations, and create meaningful change.

Student Voices from ChangeLab

These reflections from Social Justice students show how ChangeLab transforms ideas into action.

“Studying social justice movements, key advocates, and civil rights leaders helped me understand what tends to work and what does not when trying to create change. ChangeLab allowed me to apply that knowledge by developing outreach plans, identifying stakeholders within marginalized communities, and creating human-centered action plans. It helped me understand why what I was studying mattered for any effort to make real change, no matter the scale or issue.” Robert, Class of 2024

“The ChangeLabs I took part in covered a wide range of topics. I remember projects that focused on unaffordable textbooks, fast fashion, queer acceptance on campus, and discrimination and bullying in local schools. ChangeLabs are unique avenues for addressing real problems on and off campus. External policy shifts at the state or federal level can sometimes slow progress, yet they also teach students how to navigate real barriers. I did not expect to find myself leading conversations, but I truly found my voice in those ChangeLab classrooms.” Micah, Class of 2025

“In my time at UE as an Ethics and Social Change major, I had the opportunity to participate in multiple ChangeLabs. Our groups worked on projects that addressed textbook insecurity, menstrual product accessibility, and sexual assault awareness and mitigation. Some ChangeLabs prepared us to facilitate training workshops such as Safe Zone Training and the development of DEI training modules for our community. These ChangeLabs were an invaluable way to put what we learned into practice. They pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped turn my knowledge and ideas into effective action. Knowledge is powerful, but what you do with it is where the magic happens.” Claire, Class of 2024

Changemaker Spotlight: Robert ’24

Creating a Greener Evansville

Robert played a key role in the development of Evansville’s acclaimed Tepe Park Stormwater Park, which was featured in UE’s episode of The College Tour. Through his ChangeLab work, Robert helped the city reimagine urban green space, improve neighborhood safety, and bring environmental justice into long-term city planning.

His leadership shows how Social Justice students turn community needs into collaborative and sustainable solutions.

Changemaker Spotlight: Claire ’24

Founding Pride Camp and Leading Social Change

Claire served as the first Pride Camp Director and helped design and launch UE’s pioneering residential camp for LGBTQ youth. She also served as a Journey to Justice mentor, guiding high school and college students through civil rights history and reflective learning on race, memory, and justice.

Claire’s work represents the Social Justice major’s commitment to leadership, inclusive education, and youth empowerment. Her paid roles show how students step into professional responsibilities while still in college.

Changemaker Spotlight: Katia ’25

Designing a Museum Exhibit on Social Justice

The Social Justice program is proud to recognize Katia Hamzawsky for creating a full public history exhibit at the Evansville African American Museum.

Her exhibition, Cultural Responsibility in Evansville: Collaborating for Social Justice, blends history, storytelling, and community voices to illuminate both local injustices and collective pathways toward change.

Katia’s work demonstrates how Social Justice majors bring public scholarship to life by creating spaces that foster learning, dialogue, and community transformation.

Changemaker Spotlight: Umbra ’26

Journey to Justice Senior Mentor and Documentary Lead

Umbra Person, a Theatre major and Social Justice minor, served as both the senior mentor for Journey to Justice and the summer intern for the program. Umbra provided high-level leadership for youth partnerships and community engagement throughout the year.

A central part of their contribution was their work on the documentary How the Story Gets Told. Umbra supported narrative development, assisted with production tasks, and helped guide youth-centered storytelling workshops. Their work strengthened the film’s focus on how young people interpret and carry forward the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

Umbra also mentored high school students from Promise Neighborhood schools and designed post-trip reflection activities that helped students connect their learning to local action.

Umbra’s leadership illustrates how students from any major can engage deeply with Social Justice initiatives and integrate media production, youth mentorship, and community partnership work into a powerful portfolio.

Storytelling for Social Change

Social Justice students also collaborate with faculty in the Department of Communication on projects that use media to shape public understanding. Through partnership with Professor Tommy Housman, students explore the power of narrative in documentary film, podcasting, digital storytelling, and public-facing communication.

Students have contributed to the documentary How the Story Gets Told, created youth storytelling initiatives through the Journey to Justice program, and developed projects that appear in podcasts, magazines, and multimedia platforms. These opportunities teach students how to craft compelling stories that challenge dominant narratives and create space for community voices.

Academic Programs Social Justice