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Change Institute Celebration
Monday, May 5
7–8:30 p.m.
Xavier Auditorium, Fromm
RSVP by Wednesday, April 30

Join the Change Institute as it celebrates leaders and graduating students from each of the 5 core programs of the institute and our affiliate programs, like I-LEAD of University Ministry.

The Change the World From Here Institute was created to develop critically aware and goal-oriented system thinkers who are motivated to change their communities for the common good.

Programs will facilitate and nurture leaders who practice cooperative, collaborative and inclusive leadership; engage in both courageous and compassionate action; cultivate changes in values by re-framing and reinterpreting situations, and practice contemplative self-reflection.

Our Programs

The Change Institute designs and facilitates diverse cohort-style, interdisciplinary programs that bring together emerging and established leaders who share our Institute's values and believe in our mission.

Institute Programs

The Magis Emerging Leadership Program is a year-long fellowship for first-year students. Rooted in the concept of Magis, meaning “more” in Latin, our fellows are challenged to strive for excellence.

MAGIS

The McGrath Scholars program was created to develop critically aware and goal-oriented system thinkers who are motivated to change their communities for the common good.

McGrath Scholars

McGrath Graduate Fellow text with students

The McGrath Graduate Fellowship Program will allow participants to engage and grapple with a diversity of experiences and questions that challenge humanity and the earth we live on.

McGrath Graduate Fellows

The Community Leaders in the Community Leadership Program will develop leadership skills through workshops and coaching, active service at local charities and nonprofits, and a culminating project that inspires peers to join them in acts of service.

Community Leadership Program

Over the next 12 weeks, we will discover what gets in the way, if anything, of you honoring your word to yourself. Prepare to have a breakthrough in this area that leaves you feeling empowered, in action, and proud.

Self-Transformation and Empowerment Program

Affiliate Programs

I-LEAD (program for continuing undergraduate students led by University Ministry)
Parish Administration Program (professional certificate program in School of Management)

About the McGrath Family

The Change the World From Here Institute's programs are made possible by a generous gift from Bob and Joan McGrath. The McGrath's support USF programs that cultivate the values of integrity and ethical leadership enables courageous and compassionate change at the community level.

The McGrath’s gift includes $3 million to create the Change the World from Here Institute, which supports the McGrath Scholars and McGrath Graduate Fellows programs for students who show leadership potential, regardless of their academic discipline. The Institute supports each student's educational course materials (books, readings, field trips, and speaker events) and retreat expenses (housing, transportation, and meals).

The McGraths greatly value Jesuit education and have a long history of leadership in business, Catholic education, and service. In 1979, Bob founded the McGrath RentCorp, which rents modular buildings, industrial liquid storage tanks, and electronic measurement equipment. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

Joan, a former nun, and native San Franciscan earned a master’s in theology at USF and later became a high school teacher. She was principal of the Sacred Heart School in Atherton, California when she met and married Bob. She then joined the McGrath Corporation as executive vice president, developing the sales team and helping to lead the company until its successful public offering.

Now retired, the McGraths are driven by their Catholic faith and intent on giving back.

“Joan and I are thrilled to help open horizons for a new generation of young people to learn to lead and experience the world,” said Bob.

“We, too, are called to change the world,” Joan said. “Now, we have the chance to nourish that desire to serve in others.”

Recent Newsletters

Connect with us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay in the loop about upcoming events, announcements, deadlines, and to meet the Change Institute Leaders who are changing the world from here.

Annual Institute Signature Events

Each year, the Institute hosts open events by program and collectively. This year's signature events include:

Magis M-Factor | Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 7–9 p.m. in Xavier Auditorium, Fromm
McGrath Scholars Program Meet & Greet | Friday, December 6, 2024, from 2:30–3:30 p.m. in Marschi Room, Fromm
Change the World From Here Week | Wednesday, March 19 through Monday, March 31
- Magis Cluster Projects (Five separate projects rooted in UN Sustainable Development Goals)
- Passion in Action Nonprofit fair hosted by the Community Leadership Program
- McGrath Scholar Capstone Project Pitches | Monday, March 31, 2025, from 5–7 p.m. in Xavier Auditorium, Fromm
Magis Induction Ceremony & Alumni Reunion | Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 7–8:30 p.m. in Xavier Auditorium, Fromm
Change Institute Celebration | Monday, May 5, 2025, from 7–8:30 p.m. in Xavier Auditorium, Fromm

Keep in Touch with an Alumni Note!

Whether you are a current or former leader within the Change Institute, we love celebrating your success in all things life and leadership. Got news? Let us know! Below are some of the categories of life and leadership we seek to celebrate:

Events: Events you are directly organizing (panels, concerts, conferences, volunteering, etc.)
Professional: New job, promotion, certification from an accredited institution, etc.
Personal: Moving to another country, grant recipients, learning a new skill, etc.
Wedding/Domestic Partnership: Taking that next step with your partner!
Birth/Adoption: We love knowing if there are any future Change Institute leaders :D
Publication: Scholarly articles, books, blogs, podcasts, etc.
Special Recognition/Award: Any recognition from an organization, company, or established community/body of folks
Other: Anything we might have missed!

Submit an Alumni Note

Student Leadership & Engagement

University Center 4th Floor
2130 Fulton St.
San Francisco, CA 94117

Hours:
M-F: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(415) 422-7256

sle@usfca.edu

Schedule Appointment

Change the World From Here Institute

Change Institute Celebration Monday, May 5 7–8:30 p.m. Xavier Auditorium, FrommRSVP by Wednesday, April 30