Social Impact Classes
Social Impact is a growing field of study that affects every industry. The Sorenson Impact Institute is proud to offer a set of courses in social impact, designed and taught by members of our team who are impact experts. Offered in partnership with the Entrepreneurship and Strategy Department at the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, these classes help support students in becoming the next generation of impact leaders by merging business acumen with societal betterment.
The social impact classes offer the tools to be effective impact leaders. Through real-world case studies and interactive projects, students learn:
- How businesses can address pressing global challenges while also doing well financially
- To integrate purpose-driven objectives into strategic decision-making, fostering innovation and resilience
- How to measure and communicate social and environmental outcomes, vital for accountability and credibility
A background in impact benefits all students by developing a holistic perspective, critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of diverse stakeholders. These attributes enhance decision-making, adaptability, and problem-solving, applicable across industries. Overall, an impact-oriented foundation equips students to address societal challenges, contributing positively to their communities, and aligning personal values with professional endeavors, regardless of their major or future career path.
Available Courses
Entrepreneurial Finance (ENTP 2020) Introduction to Impact Investing
Discover how money can make a difference. This course introduces you to impact investing — where business and purpose meet. You’ll explore how investors fund ideas that tackle global challenges and how entrepreneurs raise money to make real change. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on projects, you’ll learn how impact investing is shaping the future of business and creating positive impact around the world.
Social Impact Strategy & Innovation
For businesses and organizations today, creating a positive social impact is directly tied to sustainability and growth. But how can organizations transition from a traditional mindset of maximizing quarterly
returns to one that prioritizes long-term
growth and stakeholder optimization? In this course, students will learn how to embed and measure social considerations while still prioritizing business success.
“It was a really meaningful course for me. It’s changed the way I think about what I want to do in my life.”
Madeline Vergura,
Masters Student, Finance
"This course is about how we can make business a force for good in the world."
Dr. Allison Boxer
Social Impact Strategy and Innovation is taught by Dr. Allison Boxer, Sorenson Impact Center Managing Director. Allison leads all academic programming for the Center with a focus on embedding social impact. In addition to teaching, Allison advises on the MAPS grant, which focuses on more equitable and student-centric futures in higher education through the concert of data science, student perspectives, and cross-sector collaboration.
Allison received her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California (USC), Rossier School of Education, where her dissertation research focused on the role of higher education institutions in social and economic development. She graduated from Harvard Business School with a Masters in Business Administration and St. Olaf College with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Anthropology.
Social Entrepreneurship
Learn a variety of approaches to solving social problems with an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. Explore work in international development, business, entrepreneurship, government, non-profits. Learn what it takes to launch a social enterprise or engage in social advocacy–all with new awareness of creating real impact by harnessing the tools of entrepreneurship.