Hacks for Humanity: Hacking for the Social Good hosted by Project Humanities at Arizona State University (ASU) is a global, 36-hour entrepreneurial marathon that challenges participants to create technical solutions for the social good. This hackathon will be held in-person.
Unlike many hacking events, Hacks for Humanity encourages participants from a wide skillset—even those who have no “hacking” experience. We invite activists and artists, entrepreneurs and educators, scientists and social workers, along with each and every person in between. When these diverse perspectives come together, innovation is the exciting result.
OUR LOCATION
1951 @ Skysong
1475 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257
EVENT SPEAKERS
Dr. Loretta H. Cheeks
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Loretta Cheeks, Ph.D. is a senior executive leader, an entrepreneur, a proud GEM Alumni, and a recognized expert on computing and technology. She has over 20 years of leadership experience, developing and deploying large-scale systems and leading various teams within the ground and satellite communications, avionics, energy systems instrumentation & control and chemical industries for Fortune 500 corporations. Dr. Cheeks earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Arizona State University with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Dr. Cheeks is founder and CEO of DS Innovation, a small business founded in 2018 and based in Arizona, United States of America. Dr. Cheeks is also committed to improving Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) secondary and higher education for underserved and underrepresented groups to follow in her scientific footsteps. To do that, Dr. Cheeks founded “Strong TIES,” a non-profit established in 2014.
Dr. Cheeks comments on How to ‘Win’ Hacks for Humanity
Alycia de Mesa
Event Speaker
Alycia de Mesa is the storytelling and communications faculty instructor for School of Sustainability graduate sustainability leadership programs and served as Associate Director of Project Humanities. Prior to ASU, Alycia spent 25 years in brand development and marketing, much of which was working in the technology industry with start-ups. She is currently Assistant Director of Digital Equity & Social Impact with ASU Enterprise Technology (formerly University Technology Office).
Alycia will be speaking about the “Power of Storytelling” and will cover why storytelling matters and how to do high impact storytelling for startup ideas and pitches.
Andrea Passarella
Event Speaker
Andrea Passarella is an educator, photographer, and entrepreneur. She is the director and founder of SidewalkSchoolLA, an organization designed to integrate photography and life skills for students as they engage in the diverse landscape and cultures of Los Angeles. Her teaching style is filled with immersive experiences, reflective practice, and practical application. Andrea is the former Dean of Social and Emotional Learning in a K-8 school setting. She received training from Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence, an evidence and research- based approach to Social Emotional Learning. Andrea received her Mindfulness Teacher Certification from The Greater Good Science Center at The University of California, Berkeley. The intersection of emotional development, mindful awareness, and the arts is at the heart of her research and practice. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Arts in Social and Cultural Pedagogy at Arizona State University.
JAMILA KHAN
Event Speaker
Jamila Khan is a former ASU graduate from the School of CLAS. Obtaining a degree in Political Science (B.S.), where she centered her development around humanitarian effort and crisis response. She actively has been a community advocate working for voter rights(literacy), accessibility, religious tolerance, and economic empowerment. Jamila grew up in Pakistan and relocated back to the states for college, Jamila is a first-generation American and first-generation college student. She has ten years of experience working in the tech ecosphere, and currently is an Account Manager at a large FinTech company.
Our Esteemed Judges
COLE BUSBY
Cole is a 2022 graduate of Arizona State University with a BS in in neurobiology and a minor in Spanish. He also holds a certificate in iOS App Development. As the College Connect Tempe Advisor for the City of Tempe, Busby provides college access advising primarily to high school students as they determine what they want to do after they graduate, whether it is attending a 4-year school, or attending a non-traditional program, or planning a career path.
KAREN V. BUSCH
Karen V. Busch, PhD, has for 35 years created and developed innovative, interdisciplinary projects, programs, and non-profits. Such experience has involved designing, managing, and evaluating large collaborative projects both for governmental and nongovernmental agencies. She has also built and implemented strategic plans, monitored and evaluated their progress, and has taught program evaluation and leadership skills and managed/directed a multi-million dollar NGO with over 200 employees.
MARCHELLE F. FRANKLIN
Marchelle is Director of the City of Phoenix Human Services Department.In this role, she manages a $195 million budget and leads over 450 employees providing services in emergency rental and utility assistance; senior programs; workforce development; Head Start; outreach, emergency shelter and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness; and comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
DAVID W. HOPKINS
David is former Vice President of IT Applications at CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Company and formerDivision CIO of Technical Operations at American Airlines. An innovative leader who guides companies in highly regulated industries taking technology to the “next level” as their businesses expand and grow through merger and acquisition, Hopkins is known for transforming vague issues into effective strategies and roadmaps that fully leverage the potential of evolving technology.
2022 Tracks
Aging and Wellbeing
If we’re lucky, we get the opportunity to age. But simply reaching a certain age doesn’t ensure well-being, dignity, or a better quality of life.
Civic Engagement
Research and lived experience show that voting, belonging to an organization, and volunteering can positively impact an individual’s physical and mental health for the individual. Yet participation in these activities fluctuates and differs widely among societies across the globe.
Environmental Justice
Environmental crises don’t discriminate. In fact, everyone will someday feel the effects of climate change, plastic-filled oceans, and polluted air. Yet the rate and severity of these effects are not distributed equally. Like so much else, marginalized communities do and will continue to suffer sooner and more than privileged communities.
How to 'WIN' Hacks for Humanity
Join Us
Welcoming Everyone
Unlike many such hackathons, Hacks for Humanity invites the participation of individuals with and without coding skills. In fact, we welcome coders and creatives, app makers and artists, engineers and entrepreneurs alike, along with each and every person in between. When these diverse perspectives come together, innovation is the exciting result.
Mentors and Volunteers
Mentors bring their diverse expertise to our team. Mentors commit to 2-hour blocks and float to test teams’ ideas and to offer guidance through the hackathon process.
Volunteers assist with logistics of our hackathon. They need no specific expertise, just a willingness to support our efforts, also in 2-hour blocks. Click here more info..
Sponsorship
As the legacy of Hacks for Humanity continues, our desire is to increase its impact exponentially by building robust partnerships. Supporting agencies and organizations share our common goals to build community one person at a time, one Project Humanities program at a time.
