Ballard Center News 

Have you wondered what your life is going to be like after college graduation? Do you dream about making a difference with your career, yet worry that it won’t be financially viable?

While as a student at BYU-Idaho, Madeline Steele, a public health major, stumbled upon the one and only social innovation class at offered on campus. Intrigued by the ad for the class that promised she could change the world, Steele enrolled in the class and loved what she learned.

Proximity allows social innovators to better understand people who are experiencing a social issue. To further the Ballard Center’s mission of searching for pattern-breaking social innovations around the world, students receive grants to make off-campus internships possible. Most of the grant funding comes from generous donors who believe in the power of travel and face-to-face interaction when solving social problems. Without these grants, many students wouldn’t have the opportunity to travel abroad.

In 2017, University Impact, an impact investing firm opened its doors in Provo, Utah. Although the impact investing industry (providing monetary support to companies that generate both social impact and financial return) is relatively new, University Impact is doing something unique in the space—nearly all of its associates are college students. In an investing world where internships and jobs are highly competitive, this niche, impact investing firm gives students a chance to hone their skills and gain experience before they’ve even started their full-time career.

The Ballard Center has over thirty programs, and students can almost always find a way to get involved; however, navigating through the variety of classes, competitions, internships, and events can be intimidating.

After six months of anticipation, Brigham Young University finally welcomes its newest dean. On 1 January 2019, Brigitte C. Madrian began her tenure as dean of the BYU Marriott School of Business.

When Sydni Dunn came to BYU, she embraced the idea of "entering to learn." The entrepreneurial management student immersed herself in countless opportunities that would ultimately prepare her to "go forth to serve."

After conducting a simple test for efficient waste and recycling pickups, social innovator Matthew Liddle learned that the idea had greater potential than previously imagined.

To prepare students for current business needs, the BYU Marriott School of Business has developed a new course with the help of the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance.

As of this semester, the Nonprofit Management Student Association club is the newest program addition to the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance.  

A recent entrepreneurial effort made by a group of BYU students is making a lot of noise. The venture uses smart glasses to address educational barriers faced by deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

As the founder of Educell, a nonprofit geared toward helping nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in resource-limited areas, Cade Dopp works tirelessly to bring education to those around the world who don’t have access to it.

Ballard Center students teamed up with Recyclops, a recycling company started by a BYU Marriott grad, to provide curbside recycling in rural communities by implementing a new Uber-like service.

The Ballard Center is a member of the new Utah chapter of the Social Enterprise Alliance, encouraging entrepreneurs to network and help each other improve impact.

Michael P. Thompson will serve as interim dean from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018. Steve Glover and Keith Vorkink will continue to serve as associate deans.

EI Robotics, a company started by BYU students, has created an interactive robot to help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn foundational skills.

Nine cars filled with siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins followed Alexandra Bernadotte's vehicle in a caravan as she arrived at Dartmouth as the first college student in her family. She had assumed getting in to a university would be the hardest part of her going to school, but Bernadotte struggled with every aspect of college life.

Helping underserved kids go to college, medical labs on a microchip, and creating engaging work environments are only a few of the TEDxBYU 2018 presented ideas that teach and inspire. The Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance is excited to announce that videos of the 2018 event are now available.

Brigham Young University Academic Vice President Jim R. Rasband has announced that Brigitte C. Madrian has been named the ninth dean of the BYU Marriott School of Business.

The new device, a simplified CPAP machine with ventilation designed for use on infants, was created in part by BYU students to help small, rural hospitals in developing countries where newborn resuscitation equipment often isn’t available.