SOCIAL INNOVATION W
ant to make a difference in the world? Start here. Rollins’ social innovation major gives students the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to address societal problems in creative, systematic, and sustainable ways, preparing you to thrive in fields such as public policy advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and community organizing. Rollins was one of the first colleges in America, and the first in Florida, to be designated a Changemaker Campus by Ashoka U. That means we’re committed to breaking down barriers to institutional change and fostering a campus-wide culture of social innovation—values that students in our program carry into their communities. As a social innovation major at Rollins, you’ll gain the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to lead lasting change.
Why Study Social Innovation at Rollins See the Big Picture You’ll not only develop a critical understanding of problems that affect marginalized populations, but you’ll gain the interdisciplinary tools to create, implement, and evaluate creative solutions.
Interact and Advocate From global field studies to local internships and leadership programs, our major offers ample opportunities for experiential learning, advocacy, and community engagement.
Do What You Love With a degree in social innovation from Rollins, you’ll be well equipped to build a productive career and a meaningful life that aligns with your passions.
Popular Courses Majors complete 10 courses from at least three different disciplines. Core courses include an introductory course, a core skills course, a topics course examining a range of social problems, a community engagement course, and an independent capstone experience.
SI 200 Introduction to Social Innovation This is where it all begins. Explore complex social problems and start thinking about solutions and social change.
SI 310 Nonprofit Leadership and Innovation Examine the innerworkings of nonprofit organizations from a leadership and innovation perspective, then decide which practices can help you reach your goals.
CMC 110 Digital Storytelling Develop the ability to use and understand digital technologies to create multimedia projects and study how narrative and symbols structure meaning.
POL 333 Case Studies in Sustainable Development Explore political concepts of sustainable development, comparing how different states confront everything from population growth to alternative energy.
SOC 111 Social Problems Follow traditional areas of social-problem analysis, including poverty, sexism, racism, and crime, as they evolve and transform society.
ANT 150 Cultures of the World Investigate past and present peoples of the world, exploring the diversity and underlying unity of human culture from evolutionary and ecological perspectives.
Beyond the Classroom Field Experiences Put your ideas to work in the world through faculty-led field studies and study-abroad programs, Rollins Immersions, and social-innovation competitions and internships.
Community Engagement Form meaningful connections, give back to society, and learn how to make the world a better place—all while building a resume that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Hands On at the Hub Help create social change through hands-on learning at Rollins’ Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship Hub, a creative space on campus that provides tools and resources to tackle local and global social issues.
Expert Faculty Our professors represent a cross-section of academic disciplines, from anthropology and computer science to social entrepreneurship and environmental studies.
Barry Allen, PhD | Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Research interests: Environmental economics, national park policy, sustainable development, and globalization
Josephine Balzac-Arroyo, JD, LLM | Assistant Professor of Social Entrepreneurship Research interests: Environmental law, law and ethics, sustainable development, community engagement, and climate change
Dan Chong, PhD | Associate Professor of Political Science, Faculty Co-Director of the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub
Research interests: International human rights, global poverty, and peace and conflict resolution
Nolan Kline, PhD, MPH | Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Co-Coordinator, Global Health Minor
Research interests: Medical and applied anthropology, public health, global health, Latino immigrant health, health inequality, biopolitics
Dan Myers, PhD | Assistant Professor of Computer Science Research interests: Computer performance modeling and queueing theory
Anne Stone, PhD | Associate Professor of Communication, Director, Social Innovation Major Research interests: The role of communication in improving health and relationships across the lifespanÂ
Eren Tatari, PhD | Associate Professor of Political Science, Director, Middle East and North African Studies
Research interests: Ethnic and religious minorities in the U.S. and Western Europe, Middle East politics, democratic theory and minority rights, politics and religion, women in Islam, and gender politics
Tonia Warnecke, PhD | George D. and Harriet W. Cornell Chair of Social Entrepreneurship, Professor and Director of Social Entrepreneurship
Research interests: International development, economics, gender, and social entrepreneurship
ADM 1808-0181
rollins.college/social-innovation