• News
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Faculty/Staff
  • Campus Portal Login
  • News
  • Student Life
  • Faculty/Staff
  • Athletics
  • Campus Portal Login

Dakota Williams selected to Changemaker Fellowship Program

salvetoday Posted On September 15, 2015
0


0
Shares
  • Share On Facebook
  • Tweet It

Dakota Williams ’17 is one of 10 students selected as a Rhode Island Changemaker Fellow for the 2015-2016 academic year. An initiative of Social Enterprise Greenhouse and Founders League, the Changemaker Fellowship Program’s mission is to support entrepreneurship among students and recent graduates while uniting Rhode Island’s diverse student bodies.

Fellows were selected based on their demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship and leadership experience. Williams, from Palmdale, Calif., is working toward a B.S. in accounting with minors in business administration and philosophy. He is an inaugural scholar of the Nuala Pell Leadership Program, vice president of membership for the University’s Toastmasters chapter, and a founder and leader of Trustfall, an organization that provides a safe and supportive environment for young people going through hardships.

“I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur and I’ve always wanted to make a change in the world,” Williams said. “[As a fellow] I’m able to do something that combines both of those and also allow me to meet with like-minded people.”

As a Changemaker Fellow, Williams hopes to show his peers that entrepreneurship doesn’t need to be a scary venture. “A lot of people are shy and timid about being an entrepreneur because they fear it’s something they can’t do,” Williams said. “If you can work for yourself, and you can find a way to make a change in the world, that’s as self-gratifying as it gets.”

Through his organization, The Cause, Williams has created and marketed custom-designed socks, with half the proceeds benefiting the Salve Regina scholarship fund. The other half is invested in taking donated T-shirts to help fight homelessness as well as using the recycled shirts to make paper. One of his long-term goals is to help families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to pay for college.

Williams and the other Rhode Island fellows were honored at a Sept. 14 ceremony co-hosted by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. “Investing in the talented leaders of tomorrow is essential for our state to stay competitive in the global economy,” Whitehouse said. “The Changemaker Fellowship will help talented student entrepreneurs start and grow businesses here in Rhode Island, and I congratulate those who have been selected to participate.”

The Changemaker Fellowship Program is made possible by a $200,000 Innovation Grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. The purpose of this initiative is to better integrate students and recent graduates into Rhode Island’s startup ecosystem, open entrepreneurship opportunities to new populations, and strengthen the flow of talent that drives startup success.

As compensation for their service, Changemaker Fellows receive one-on-one mentorship support, recognition as a student leader and a cash stipend.

0
Shares
  • Share On Facebook
  • Tweet It




  • RSS Calendar of Events

    • Gallery exhibit: Drawing Newport
      Date: Thursday, February 25, 2021 (All day) to Tuesday, March 30, 2021 (All day)
      Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery

      "John Howard Benson: Drawing Newport" explores the city's architectural landscape through the drawings of John Howard Benson, a lifetime resident of Aquidneck Island. Working with pen and ink,...

    • Senior Summit career readiness week
      Date: Monday, March 1, 2021 (All day) to Friday, March 5, 2021 (All day)

      Members of the Class of 2021 are invited to join the Office of Career Development for a week of virtual career readiness programming designed to prepare them for graduation and life after Salve...

      Contact: Office of Career Development
    • Signature Salve Day: Social work
      Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 9:00am
      Ochre Court

      Signature Salve Days provide opportunities for accepted students to explore their academic interests and learn more about the campus community. These half-day programs include a welcome from...

      Contact: Office of Admissions
    • Signature Salve Day: Administration of justice
      Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 1:00pm
      Ochre Court

      Signature Salve Days provide opportunities for accepted students to explore their academic interests and learn more about the campus community. These half-day programs include a welcome from...

      Contact: Office of Admissions
    • Senior Summit: Networking and making first impressions count
      Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 5:00pm

      Members of the Class of 2021 are invited to join Jean Papalia, principal of A+ Etiquette, for a Senior Summit session focused on networking and making first impressions count. It takes less than...

      Contact: Office of Career Development
    • Senior Summit: Virtual networking reception
      Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 6:00pm

      Members of the Class of 2021 are invited to practice their networking skills during this Senior Summit networking session with Salve Regina alumni and industry professionals. You will have a...

      Contact: Office of Career Development
    • Discussion on the future of U.S.-India relations
      Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 7:00pm

      The relationship between the United States and India has long been complicated. Join the Pell Center and Rich Verma, former U.S. ambassador to India, for a conversation about the relationship...

      Contact: Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy
    • Virtual yoga for alumni and families
      Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 7:30pm

      Join the Office of Alumni, Parent and Family Programs for a 60-minute virtual yoga class. End your day with simple slow movements and positive intentions, clearing space for the day ahead. This...

      Contact: Office of Alumni, Parent and Family Programs
    • Mass
      Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 12:15pm
      Our Lady of Mercy Chapel
    • Study abroad drop-in peer advising
      Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 2:30pm

      If you've already attended a study abroad information session but still have questions, join a drop-in peer advising session to chat with a global ambassador from the Office of International...

  • Browse Sections

    Salve Success

    Health and Wellness

    Mercy Mission

    Arts and Humanities

    Science and Technology

    Event Coverage

    Business and Economics

    Graduate News



Stay Updated

Latest news from SALVEtoday

 

  • Salve Regina University

    100 Ochre Point Avenue
    Newport, Rhode Island 02840 USA

     (401) 847-6650

    (c) 2021 Salve Regina University

  • SALVEtoday Archives

  • Social Media Directory

  • Mercy Emergency Relief Fund


  • News
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Faculty/Staff
  • Campus Portal Login
Press enter/return to begin your search