A changemaker is anyone who takes action to address a problem, activate/collaborate with others, and work toward solutions for the good of all.
The world's problems need inspired, well-educated, equity-minded leaders.
Nazareth equips you with opportunities + learning + support you need to grow as an effective changemaker in and out of your life's work.
Connecting with civil rights changemakers inspires students
Matthew Reimann '24 understands civil rights history to work as a lawyer, judge, or elected official dedicated to justice.
Bonner Leader program supports Hannah Swayer in educational equity work
First-year student Hannah Swayer loves working with kindergartners weekly in a city school classroom as part of Nazareth's Partners for Learning and exploring equity issues with guidance from Nazareth's Bonner Leader program.
Protecting animals' health
Sophia Duran's ongoing work at an animal shelter is supporting her goals to protect animals’ health and have impact. “I think I’m doing the best I can do to be a changemaker,” she says.
Why a degree in ethical data science?
Sophia Caruana '24 studies ethical data science, preparing to tackle challenges such as privacy, unfair representation, and the spread of disinformation.
How can I have an impact in healthcare without being a doctor?
Jahvena Brown shares how she found her way to major in tech, AI, and society and how it's supporting her passion for using technology as a tool for community empowerment, equity, and innovation.
Anti-racism class spurs action
Andrew Wicklum '24 gained so much from a 1-credit Equitable Spaces class — Anti-racism in Community-Engaged Learning — his sophomore year that he thinks every student should take it.
Learn leadership skills
Gain leadership experience at Naz through the Undergraduate Association (UA), community engagement opportunities, student clubs and organizations, and more.
Hannah Osborn '25, president of the UA, left her mark on campus »
Build your empathy, global understanding, and ability to be inclusive.
Reaching out to refugees
Ayat Al Sallami '24 (social work) interned as a case manager working with refugees at Mary's Place in Rochester, which built her communication skills, expanded her understanding of world issues and human survival, and showed her she is capable of working with people who speak different languages.
Bearing witness to hope on Holocaust education trip
Matthew Roberson '26 found his photography skills were a tool for remembrance and hope on a Naz trip to Poland and Germany.
Community engagement and coursework
"I want to see a world in which each child has hope for their future — that they truly believe that the possibilities are endless, and that because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. they don't have additional challenges or roadblocks." — Nicole Engel worked with students at Rochester's School 9 through Nazareth's Partners for Learning program and took Nazareth's Anti-racism in Community Engaged Learning course.
Pursuing equity
Matt Krieg (physical therapy) probed the underrepresentation of Asian Americans among physical therapists. Changemaker Revolution story »
Naz partnership with Special Olympics
Providing fitness screenings and wellness stations during a Special Olympics' competition at Naz built communication skills and knowledge for physical therapy students like Peter Spegar '23, '25G and Aletha Jackson '22G.
Creating opportunities through a club and research
Madison "Maddie" McIntee promoted inclusivity as president of Best Buddies club on campus and through research — including autism research for Boston Children’s Hospital's cognitive neuroscience lab. Maddie's story »
Students build empathy by experiencing hearing loss, isolation, and dementia
Virtual reality simulations on campus enabled Caroline Holley (music therapy) to gain new perspectives on experiencing dementia.
Learn to care for your well-being so you can persevere.
Finding connection and support
Owen Malkowski '28 writes about how his career coach, academic advisor, health and counseling staff, and friends met at Naz orientation contribute to his successful first year. Owen's story »
Amanda Foster, a student-athlete, created a Morgan's Message club at Nazareth for peer-to-peer discussion about managing mental health challenges. She told the story on a Prez Paul podcast. The club continues.
Molly Benetti '26 writes about balancing basketball, academics, and mental health. Molly's blog post »
Opportunities for self-care on campus include Wellness Wednesday snacks and socializing, frequent yoga classes, spiritual services and pastoral care, Zen meditation, Meditation & Mindfulness (M&M) club, health and counseling services, mental health first aid training, fitness and recreation equipment, and more.