About Us
Passionate about a cause that is much greater than yourself?
Want to leave a legacy as more than just an athlete?
Looking to apply your leadership skills beyond the classroom and playing fields to make a significant and sustainable impact on the world?
Want to make a real difference but you don't know where or how to start?
Want to see the world while helping others who are much less fortunate than you?
Here is a rare opportunity for you to join forces with a group of compelled and passionate student-athlete leaders to make a difference around the world.
Who Are We?
Student-Athletes Leading Social Change (SALSC) is a passionate group of student-athlete leaders who want to change the world. We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for social change made up of current and former college student-athletes from schools across the world.
Why SALSC?
Many student-athletes have a deep desire to be involved in local, national, and international social change projects/organizations, yet rarely have the opportunity because of their demanding schedules. SALSC recognizes this fact and provides interested student-athletes with the support and flexibility to pursue their passions/interests while respecting their rigorous academic and athletic schedules.
SALSC’s Purpose is three-fold:
1. Leadership Development - SALSC allows student-athlete leaders to select, lead, and implement a social change project on an annual basis. Members develop valuable leadership skills through a process we call “Service Leading.”
2. Career Preparation - SALSC participants gain real-world experience by serving on committees that are aligned with their career interests (marketing, finance, journalism, management, healthcare, international studies, etc.) Because many student-athletes rarely have time for internships, SALSC provides leaders with meaningful opportunities to gain professional skills and experience while still in college.
Former student-athletes also get involved in SALSC by serving as mentors and advisors to the student-athletes and social change projects. So student-athletes are able to network with leaders across the world as well – enhancing future job prospects.
3. Social Change - SALSC members, student-athletes, coaches, alumni, donors, and fans from schools across the nation team up to address and alleviate important social issues (poverty, education, homelessness, healthcare, etc.) on a local, national, and/or international level.
How Does SALSC Work?
SALSC members select, and adopt a social change project for each school year. Members can choose to be a part of specific committees to collectively help plan the project, generate awareness, organize support, and enact the project. Much of the planning and preparation takes place throughout the school year with the social change project(s) typically being conducted over the summer months.
SALSC has already selected a project for 2010/2011 but click here if you are interested in submitting a social change project to be considered by SALSC for future years.
SALSC Board of Directors
CeCe Marizu - A former swimmer at the University of Illinois, CeCe is one of the founding members of SALSC. She led the Illini on SALSC's first ever service trip to Kenya. To raise funds, she created Illinois' first ever Jock Jams, a student-athlete variety show which raised $6,000 for the cause. CeCe won the Illinois Leadership Academies prestigious Leader of Distinction Award and is presently attending graduate school at Illinois. Contact CeCe at cece@salsc.org
Amanda Waugh - A former women's soccer player at Central Michigan, Amanda is one of the founders of SALSC. Amanda helped her soccer team to win the 2009 MAC Championship and won the Bill Boyden Leadership Award as one of the school's top leaders. She coordinates our website. Contact Amanda at amanda@salsc.org
Jeff Janssen - A co-founder of SALSC, Jeff and his top-notch staff direct comprehensive Leadership Academies at Illinois, Michigan, Lehigh, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Arkansas, Pitt, Georgetown, Baylor, Colgate, and Houston. He is the author of several books including The Team Captain's Leadership Manual, Championship Team Building, The Seven Secrets of Successful Coaches, and How to Develop Relentless Competitors. Contact Jeff at jeff@salsc.org