ASU's commitment to change brings CGI U to Tempe

In a recent op-ed appearing on azcentral.com, ASU's Jacqueline Smith discusses the significance of Arizona State University hosting the seventh annual convening of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), set to take place this Friday, March 21 through Sunday, March 23.

Smith is the executive director of University Initiatives at ASU, and also serves as the adviser to the president for social embeddedness.

This weekend, thousands of college students from more than 80 countries will descend upon ASU's Tempe campus for "one of the largest and most prestigious student gatherings in the world, as a result of growing national and global recognition of ASU's commitment to transformational change," Smith writes.

Over the course of three days, students will gather to share their “commitments to action” with other like-minded individuals.

One ASU student, Laura Chenier, has committed to provide audiology services for people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County.

Another, Stephen Annor-Wiafe, has committed to improve economic opportunities and environmental conditions in his home country of Ghana.

Former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Clinton Foundation vice chairwoman Chelsea Clinton and other social change leaders will also be on hand to empower students through panel discussions, networking events and a culminating "day of action" in central Phoenix.

“By sharing their ‘commitments to action,’” Smith says, “new, specific and measurable plans spanning areas such as education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health, students will gain new perspectives about how to most effectively implement their ideas.”

As the host campus, 200 ASU Sun Devils were invited to participate in the meeting. They represent ASU's commitment to transform society and enable student success.

Access the entire op-ed below.