Inspiring tomorrow’s game changers

The Chinese Flagship Program trains top undergraduates to achieve professional-level Chinese proficiency while pursuing any major. Students combine advanced language study, interdisciplinary coursework, immersive experiences and a capstone year abroad with a professional internship — emerging as globally prepared leaders ready to excel in international contexts.

Communication students expand their global competence through immersive coursework and cultural experiences abroad. Participants also share their journey via student-led Instagram takeovers, showcasing authentic, real-time insights from their travels.

Early Start welcomes students before the semester begins with engaging academic experiences that prepare them for university success. The Costa Rica component adds a global dimension, allowing students to explore natural and cultural systems through scientific, social and humanistic perspectives.

This one-day field experience gives students direct exposure to the U.S.–Mexico borderlands through guided site visits and community engagement. The trip deepens understanding of migration, identity and social dynamics while strengthening students’ skills in informed, ethical scholarship.

Students dive into Scotland’s rich archival collections to uncover historical texts, artifacts and multimedia materials. The experience blends hands-on archival research with digital scholarship to bring Scotland’s cultural heritage to life.

This WWS 569 course explores how World War II is remembered through monuments, memorials and public spaces across the United States. Students investigate how different communities interpret history, identity and collective memory in complex and sometimes contradictory ways.

Students participate in a weeklong immersive retreat in Prescott, Arizona, using Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” “Macbeth” and “The Tempest” to examine leadership, ethics and decision-making. Through performance, discussion and reflection with expert faculty, students bring classic texts to life while developing modern leadership skills.

Students retreat to Prescott, Arizona for a week of exploring the fundamental question of how to live a life of meaning. Through shared reading of classic and modern thinkers, students examine love, work, community and identity while building a vibrant intellectual community.

Students go from India's urban center of New Delhi to rural Rajasthan to study in a global context. Through dialogue with local leaders, collaboration with university peers and service projects with a partner NGO, students develop leadership skills grounded in cultural understanding and service.

The Geographic Information System (GIS) Peer Mentor Program connects online learners with experienced students who understand the challenges of GIS coursework and remote study. Through supportive conversations, flexible office hours and real-world insight, mentors help classmates feel confident, capable and connected — no matter where they are.

The School of Molecular Sciences’ Early Start program brings incoming chemistry and biochemistry majors to campus two weeks early for a nine-day program. Students connect with faculty and peer mentors, acclimate to college-level expectations and explore campus resources to build confidence, community and readiness.

The School of Molecular Sciences kicks off the year with a spectacular Fall Welcome, where incoming chemistry and biochemistry students dive into hands-on experiments and colorful demonstrations. Faculty and student leaders spark curiosity, excitement and a sense of community at the very start of college life. 

The Learning Assistant program places successful peers in the LIA 101 classroom where they help facilitate instruction, lead activities and support new ASU students. Learning Assistants also engage in professional development and create their own outreach and engagement opportunities, strengthening both their leadership skills and the community they help build.

Camp SESE at the Tonto Creek Camp gives incoming students a chance to build friendships and meet mentors and faculty while exploring landscapes and skies that inspire the School of Earth and Space Exploration. From stargazing to hands-on exploration, students begin their first year excited to begin their academic journey.

The MENTEE Program allows undergraduates to serve as Learning Assistants who guide their peers, collaborate with faculty and help create supportive learning environments. In return, Undergraduates build strong teaching, communication and leadership skills that support their academic and professional growth.

The SoMSS Student Ambassador Program empowers accomplished math majors to lead events, mentor peers and foster a strong, supportive community. Ambassadors serve as approachable role models who help new students navigate their major, build connections and engage with the school.

The Joaquin Bustoz Math-Science Honors Program offers high school students a challenging summer experience in university mathematics, along with mentoring, scholarship guidance and long-term support. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, the program continues to expand access to STEM education and foster student success.

Leaders from the United Nations and distinguished scholars come to ASU for conversations on communication and social transformation. Rooted in Professor Uttaran Dutta’s UN work, this series gives graduate students rare access to global changemakers shaping international policy and practice.

Hosted each January at Biosphere 2 in the foothills of Arizona’s Santa Catalina Mountains, the School of Molecular Sciences’ MateriAIZ Winter School immerses future scientists in an intensive, interdisciplinary research environment unlike any traditional classroom. Led by faculty from across Arizona universities, students collaborate across disciplines while exploring cutting-edge materials science in one of the world’s most unique research settings.

Sundial is a peer-mentoring community that supports students in physics and the physical sciences through one-on-one guidance, community building and skill development. Newcomers connect with experienced student mentors who help them navigate challenging coursework and build confidence in the field. 

At the Child Development Lab, students from the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics learn in a living classroom where theory meets practice each day. Through supervised work with expert educators and preschoolers, practicum students gain direct insight into child development while exploring diverse career pathways. The lab also supports faculty research and community partnerships that advance safe, child-centered learning for children and families.

A go-to hub for psychology and neuroscience majors, the Student Success Center offers free peer coaching, writing and statistics support, and online workshops. Students receive individualized guidance from coaches who help them build confidence and succeed in their major.

The Sundial Early Start Program offers incoming physics and Earth and space exploration students a no-cost, two-week, hands-on introduction to life in the physical sciences, blending discovery-based science activities with social events, campus exploration and early mentorship.

The School of Transborder Studies Graduate Student Border Symposium convenes emerging scholars from U.S. and Mexican institutions to share original research and engage in critical dialogue on border issues. Participants deepen interdisciplinary expertise, expand professional networks and advance collaborative understanding of transborder communities and challenges.

Weaving Relations connects American Indian Studies students with Tribal nations to work on community-identified research projects — from sharing water stories to supporting education and environmental stewardship. Guided by faculty and Indigenous methodologies, students gain hands-on experience as culturally accountable researchers and future community leaders.

The Wells Fargo Transborder Research Scholarship provides funding for students working with faculty mentors on projects that explore Chicana/o and Latina/o experiences across borders. Recipients develop original research and share their findings during a public spring presentation event.
 

Each year, approximately three to six students receive $2,500 Wells Fargo Transborder Research Scholarships to conduct faculty‑mentored research on transborder and Chicana/o and Latina/o issues, producing original research projects that deepen understanding of border communities and advance student scholarship.

School of Transborder Studies Research Roundtables provide graduate students with a supportive space to share in-progress work and receive mentorship and feedback from peers and faculty. Participants strengthen communication and presentation skills while engaging deeply with the research emerging across transborder studies.

The School of Molecular Sciences’ Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience brings authentic scientific inquiry into online biochemistry labs, transforming them into collaborative research environments. Instead of preset experiments, students pursue open-ended research questions and contribute to ongoing investigations — building the analytical skills, confidence and persistence essential for advanced study and scientific careers, no matter where they are learning.

The Online Marketplace for Undergraduate Research opens the door to undergraduate research from the very start of a student’s academic journey. Through a centralized online platform, students from the School of Molecular Sciences can connect directly with faculty-led labs, joining as early as their first year as volunteers. Students build technical skills, accelerate entry into scientific discovery and mentorship, and strengthen preparation for graduate and professional pathways. 

The School of Human Evolution and Social Change Research Apprenticeship Program places undergraduates directly into faculty-led research on real social and human questions. Through hands-on projects, students gain critical research skills, confidence and mentorship that prepare them for graduate study and careers in the social sciences.

School of Human Evolution and Social Change Field Schools give students immersive, global learning experiences working side-by-side with diverse communities to solve real challenges. Through projects like the award-winning Zelaki Initiative in Ethiopia, students contribute to sustainable solutions while building lasting international partnerships and cross-cultural leadership.

The School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies’s public history projects immerse students in creating digital archives, oral histories and public exhibits. Through hands-on digital curation, students preserve community stories, interpret the past and build meaningful connections with local, national and international partners.

The Online Undergraduate Research Scholars (OURS) Program gives ASU Online students hands-on, group‑based research opportunities across the sciences, social sciences and humanities. With faculty mentorship and remote collaboration, students gain real research experience that expands skills, confidence and career or graduate‑school readiness regardless of location.

The Barrett College Fellows Program pairs honors students with faculty mentors across ASU to conduct real scholarly research or community outreach. Fellows earn academic credit while building critical research, communication and problem‑solving skills that launch successful careers and graduate study.

American Indian Studies and Doing Research in Indigenous Communities conferences immerse students in Indigenous-centered research and professional development by having them plan, facilitate and participate in major events. Students build leadership, communication and cultural understanding while connecting with tribal leaders, scholars and intergenerational Indigenous networks.

The School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research (SOLUR) Program gives life sciences undergraduates real-world research experience, mentorship and professional skills. Students conduct lab research, present at symposiums and build community while preparing for STEM careers or graduate school — with many graduates entering science fields or advanced programs.

ASA DataFest is a 48-hour data analysis competition where undergraduate teams analyze the most complex, real-world datasets they’ve ever encountered, collaborate under pressure and present insights to expert judges. The event builds technical skills, teamwork and confidence while connecting students with faculty, industry mentors and hiring professionals.

The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences ACT Lab immerses actuarial science students in real industry consulting projects, where they analyze professional data, use industry-standard software and solve complex business problems. Guided by expert faculty and industry partners, students graduate with career-ready experience and professional confidence.

The Relationships and Technology Lab examines how communication technologies are transforming the ways people meet, date and form relationships. Student researchers collaborate on cutting-edge research involving dating apps, algorithms and future relationship technologies, gaining valuable experience in social scientific inquiry.

The Mathematics Tomorrow Seminar is a faculty-mentored club where students train in advanced problem-solving and competitive mathematics. Through intensive practice and mentorship, participants develop elite skills that prepare them to compete and succeed at the highest levels of collegiate and international math competitions.

These astronomy research courses immerse students in real scientific discovery, from planning telescope observations to analyzing live data. With faculty mentorship, observatory experiences and field trips, students gain research skills that launch them toward competitive summer research opportunities. 

The ENERGIZE Psychology Research Initiative connects undergraduates with meaningful lab experiences that deepen learning and spark curiosity. By welcoming diverse perspectives into active research labs, ENERGIZE prepares students for graduate study while strengthening the quality and impact of psychological research. 

The Remote SEM Analysis of Photovoltaics course gives students nationwide hands-on research experience using a remotely operated scanning electron microscope. With one-on-one mentorship, students design research questions, analyze solar cell materials and share their discoveries through a public presentation.

The Online Undergraduate Research Scholars (OURS) program’s HST 495 is an immersive archival research experience where students from all campuses work hands-on in special collections, learning to analyze and curate historical materials while building their capstone digital archives and final research projects.

The Transborder Practicum engages transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o studies majors in community-based research and applied work focused on real needs in transborder contexts. Recent cohorts have partnered with the International Rescue Committee to support asylum-seeking families and created a sociolinguistic corpus of Phoenix bilingualism for future community and scholarly use.

The School of Molecular Sciences offers a suite of experiential learning courses that immerse chemistry and biochemistry students in high-impact practices, including clinical experience, internships, mentoring, and structured career preparation. Students gain field experience, professional guidance, and practical skills that strengthen their readiness for graduate or professional programs, helping them explore diverse career pathways with confidence and clarity.

Through the Science is Fun (SiF) program, undergraduate students become trained STEM outreach interns, bringing hands-on science demonstrations to K-12 classrooms and community events. Using activities rooted in ASU research across disciplines, from materials science to psychology, students engage young learners while building communication, leadership and communication skills.

SiF shows students that science is active, meaningful and accessible, fostering curiosity and inspiring the next generation of STEM thinkers.

The Master of Arts program in gender, women and sexuality studies in the School of Social Transformation is a career-focused program and is designed for students who wish to gain research skills and knowledge about gender analysis and to apply those tools to current problems and solutions. The flexible, 30-credit-hour graduate program provides advanced training in feminist research, theory and methodologies. 

The online master’s Capstone Field Experience serves as a culminating professional pathway, placing students in organizations nationwide to translate academic learning to practice. Students complete at least 40 hours of supervised work with agencies serving children, families and communities, choosing placements aligned with their career goals. Integrated coursework in professional development and guided reflection helps students connect theory with practical, career-ready experience. 

The Department of English Research Internship Awards support faculty-mentored research experiences that allow students to engage in hands-on scholarly projects while developing professional, transferable skills. Students grow as scholars, explore career paths and gain the confidence to take on advanced academic work.

The Yuman Text Refurbishment Project brings students, community leaders and scholars together to revitalize Indigenous languages. Fellows gain hands-on training to update and preserve Yuman language texts, working collaboratively to support language renewal for future generations.

Psyche4All: The Psychology Inclusive Teaching Series is a monthly program that equips faculty and graduate students with research-based strategies for fostering equity, belonging and inclusive learning environments. Through focused discussions, practical tools and shared reflection, the series builds a community of instructors committed to transforming classroom practice.

The online MA in communication culminates in a capstone project where students apply communication theory and research to solve real-world problems in their communities or workplaces. This hands-on experience is often a highlight of the program, allowing students to make meaningful, practical impact while developing career skills. 

Discovery Seminars are a series of one-credit courses specifically designed for first-year immersion students. In these seminars, faculty and staff teach topics they are passionate about. The small, discussion-based format fosters a welcoming environment, making it easy for students to form meaningful relationships with their peers and the instructor. 

American Indian Studies integrates land- and place-based learning throughout its curriculum, enabling students to learn directly from Indigenous landscapes, knowledge keepers and community collaborators. Through immersive fieldwork and reflective engagement, students deepen their understanding of traditional ecological knowledge, environmental ethics and Indigenous relationships to land, while advancing ASU’s commitments to social embeddedness and public value.

American Indian Studies graduate students complete community-engaged coursework and a final thesis or applied project developed in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations. These projects integrate Indigenous methodologies and social justice frameworks to produce deliverables, such as curricula, policy briefs or community reports that directly benefit tribal partners.

The Humanities Lab hosts transdisciplinary courses that go beyond traditional academic boundaries, in which students and stakeholders investigate multiple perspectives and create collaborative breakthroughs with communities on and off campus. “Labs” build bridges to new ways of knowing, doing and being by taking on pressing social challenges through a framework that always includes the humanities — ethics, culture, history, storytelling — to lead transformative and principled innovation.

Undergraduate Physics Learning Assistants (UPLA) support ASU's introductory physics courses by facilitating small-group discussions and guiding students to articulate and defend their ideas. By becoming a part of the instructional team, they help build an equitable, active-learning environment that deepens students' understanding of physics.

Every year, the ENG 101/102 Common Read program assigns first-year students a contemporary shared reading across multiple sections. The chosen reading highlights themes such as belonging, immigration, thinking biases and cultural traditions. Students engage directly with the author in a public virtual event, which is recorded and shared for continued learning and community access. 

Students have the opportunity to apply to an emergency room or clinical healthcare internship and engage in a semester-long internship introducing them to clinical settings. Students receive 100-150 hours of experience and explore what it means to be a healthcare practitioner. The program provides essential access to students who need hours for a competitive application to professional graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant school and more.

The Woodside Scholars Program prepares students in The College for impactful careers in the nonprofit sector through structured coursework, experiential internships, mentorship and professional development.

The Arizona Legislative and Government Internship Program is a competitive statewide program in which students intern full-time in the spring at a state agency, the Arizona Legislature, Governor's Office or Supreme Court.

For 25 years, the Capital Scholars Internship program has driven Sun Devils into summer internships in politics, policy, business and law while they live and learn together in Washington, D.C. Through professional development, mentoring and a tight-knit cohort experience, students build meaningful relationships with alumni and other professionals.

Data Devils partners with Arizona nonprofit organizations to turn large datasets into actionable insights. Students build real-world analytic skills and graduate with hands-on experience that makes them stand out. For community partners, it fills a critical gap as many don’t have in-house data analytics capacity, and the Data Devils’ work has directly shaped how organizations allocate resources and design programs. 

The program has also inspired an annual volunteer event where School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning faculty and staff have participated in food-delivery service days.

Development contact: Learn more at thecollege.asu.edu/game-changers or contact Brittany Sullivan at  [email protected] to see how you can make an impact.

Each fall, the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences hosts its Actuarial Science Career Day, featuring alumni and industry panels, speed interviews and networking opportunities. Held simultaneously, the Data Science, Statistics, and Mathematics Career Day connects over 200 students with top employers such as Deloitte, Credit One Bank, CVS Health, Freeport-McMoRan and State Farm.

The ASU Clinical Psychology Center, a community-based training clinic for the PhD in clinical psychology and Master’s in Addiction Psychology programs, leverages telehealth to increase access to evidence-based, mental health and addiction treatment in underserved communities in rural Arizona.

The Department of Psychology offers innovative career development opportunities ranging from internships in law, nonprofits, education and social services. Students can also take career exploration classes and participate in regular alumni networking events and lectures to build their professional connections. 

The Online Undergraduate Research Scholars (OURS) program was created by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in partnership with ASU Online-EdPlus to give online students access to one of the most transformative aspects of higher education: participating in authentic, impactful research.

With over 300 internship partners in the industry, government and nonprofit sectors, English majors gain real-world experience that often leads directly to jobs. Students can apply for funding through the Scholarship for Students with Unpaid Internships, the Salerno and Harkins Film Studies Award, among other opportunities.