George Mason University students joined more than 600 of their peers from around the world at Vanderbilt University, near Nashville, Tennessee, for the 15th annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) from March 3-5. CGI U was launched in 2007 by former President Bill Clinton to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses.
CGI U asks students to make Commitments to Action, which involve innovative solutions to the world’s challenges. The program then mentors and supports students through the process of fulfilling their project goals. The annual meeting includes panels from leaders in nonprofits, businesses, and politics; skill and working sessions; and community service on the Day of Action.
Aadam Dirie, a computer engineering master’s student, heard about CGI U from his friend Jasmanet Chahal, who recently graduated from University of Virginia. The two applied together with a project called FollowUp for assisting adults living with, or at risk for, chronic diseases. Dirie describes FollowUp as “a solution that empowers people to take control of their health by providing personalized health insights and actionable feedback.”
Dirie and Chahal were chosen to present at the CGI U Exchange Fair, where mentors gave them valuable feedback. On top of that, Dirie said, “We were able to present our Commitment to Action to Chelsea Clinton and had a very nice discussion with her.”
At the end of their chat, Clinton even took their business card.
Throughout the weekend, Dirie networked with student peers, CGI U alumni and mentors, and panelists. “My big takeaway from CGI U is the resources, and lifelong connections to other students and mentors.”
These productive relationships are one major benefit of the event, said Rose Pascarell, vice president for University Life, who also attended. “CGI U provided our students the opportunity to connect with other student changemakers from around the country and world, all interested in positive change and making a difference.”
An activist for men’s mental health at Mason, junior Liam Keen said his weekend highlights included the opportunity to make new contacts and reach a larger global network. However, he felt that CGI U could have benefited from the audacity that helps define Mason.
Keen, who is studying government and international politics, said he would have liked to have heard from climate justice activists who could have challenged the panelists from the session he attended. “It's important to propose an alternative pathway,” he said. “Providing multiple pathways helps people gain a greater understanding of a subject.”
On the Day of Action, Pipa, a criminology, law and society major, had a chance to speak with Bill Clinton about public policy.
“He told me I was going to do great things,” said Pipa of meeting the former president. “It was an experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life and to help fuel my passion for public policy and creating change.”
Making other connections at CGI U has also inspired Pipa’s new plans for graduate school and even starting a nonprofit in the future.
The event’s closing Day of Action was coordinated by Hands On Nashville. Keen helped clear land for a cultural center with the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee, and Pipa packed vegetables and loaded bags of groceries for a drive-up food bank with Second Harvest Food Bank.
“It was so rewarding knowing I made an impact on a community that I was only a part of for three days,” Pipa said.