Overview

Do you have an idea that would improve or inspire change on campus? Kent State University USG wants to give you $6,000 to support the implementation of your idea for the 2022-2023 academic year, and make it a reality!

Change in a Flash is designed to challenge you to think about opportunities for growth in the KSU community. Who better to inspire change in our community than us? Now is your chance to make it happen.

Create a project, service, or event that adds value, strengthens and/or inspires pride. Submit your idea online via the entry form (individually or in small groups) or attach a pitch video. All ideas are good ideas! Do not be discouraged if your idea is not completely developed. Students will be paired with USG Mentors to help with the development of ideas to ensure that you make a lasting mark on campus. After students revise their proposal, they will have the opportunity to pitch your idea to key administrators, faculty, and USG members. The winner is then announced several days later and their project will be implemented the following academic year.

Watch our info session here!

Examples:

Change in a Flash was inspired by our friends at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and their “ProveIt!” program. The following examples have came as a result of their program.

1. Mascot statues
School spirit was lacking on campus so a competition was create for students to design a new statue. The winning design was built on UMBC’s campus.

2. Community Garden
On UMBC’s campus, a small terrace was added with a community garden. Student organizations use this space to create community and spend time outdoors.

3. Solar Panel Tables
Throughout UMBC’s campus solar panel tables were added and student use them to charge their devices. This came from their ProveIt initiative.

4. Retriever Treasures
Students often have stuff left over when moving out of their dorms when the spring semester ends, so Retriever Treasures was established at UMBC as a yard sale-type event for other students to pick up that stuff!

Example Idea Themes To Get You Started:

  1. Products or Services

  2. Social or “Green” Concerns

  3. Campus Innovations

Things to Consider When Developing Your Idea:

1. Identification and Definition of the Problem/Opportunity

  • Has the problem/opportunity been described in a clear and convincing manner?

2. Value Creation

  • Is this an original idea? How innovative is the idea?

3. Feasibility of Implementing the Solution/Idea

  • Does the idea create economic or social value? Is it possible for this idea to be implemented within the next year? How practical is the idea when it comes to implementation?

4. Sustainability

  • How will your initiative be successful when you are no longer a student at KSU? How can you create a project that will stand the test of time?

Eligibility

Change in a Flash is open to all undergraduate KSU students. Individual students or student teams of up to five people may enter the contest (limited to 1 entry per person or team). Applicants must be in good academic standing with the university and must plan to return for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 academic semesters. For teams, at least one student must be returning to oversee the implementation of your project. USG officers (elected or appointed), and candidates running for USG office are not eligible to compete.

If you have any questions at any time please reach out to the Director of Student Involvement- Jenna Gilbreath (jgilbrea@kent.edu).