Mission Teams are groups of NGSC students who work together to explore and address specific social issues that interest them. Informed by ASU’s 9th design aspiration, Practice Principled Innovation, Mission Teams engage in student-led exploration and research, and collaborate with community partners, university affiliates, and mentors throughout the academic year to better understand and engage with their social mission. With the knowledge and experiences gained through their experiences of Learning, Networking, and Service, Mission Teams will decide on a Mission Team project to plan and execute together.
Mission Teams
This project should develop out of the team’s learning and understanding of the social mission and should be in response to an identified need of the community. At the end of the academic year, each team produces an impact report summarizing their learnings, partnerships, and action. The Mission Team Impact Reports are presented at the annual ASU Change the World event, highlighting how the Mission Team efforts directly benefit local community organizations and strengthen ASU's partnerships with them. The structure, guidance, and collaborative spirit of Mission Teams are vital for fostering impactful community engagement and promoting meaningful change while allowing students to practice and develop leadership skills.
Examples of mission teams included:
● Animal Rights
● Civic Engagement
● Community Development
● Criminal Justice and Security
● Cultural and Global Equality
● Disabilities Empowerment
● Education and Policy
● Energy and Climate Sustainability
● Gender Equality
● Health, Wellness, and Chronic Disease Prevention
● Homelessness
● Human Trafficking
● Hunger and Nutrition
● Immigration, Refugees, and Migrants
● LGBTQIA+ Equality
● Mental Health
● Poverty and Economic Inequality
● Public Health
● Racial Equality
● Science, Tech, and Innovation
● Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention
● Veteran Healthcare and Services
● Water Access and Sustainability
● Youth Development
| A New Leaf Women's Shelter | Alliance of Indigenous Peoples | Alliance of Therapy Dogs | AmeriCorps |
| Andre House | Arizona Science Center | AZ Hugs | Banner Health |
| Be a Leader Foundation | Best Buddies | Boys and Girls Club | Central Arizona Shelter Services |
| Feed My Starving Children | Hope Women's Center | Hustle Impact | Inter Tribal Council of Arizona Inc. |
| Keep Tempe Beautiful | Let's Go Compost | Local First Arizona | Lost Our Home |
| Lululemon | Names for Change | Nourish Phoenix | Phoenix Parks Foundation |
| Planned Parenthood | Project C.U.R.E. | Save the Family | Social Spin |
| Special Olympics Arizona | Survivor Link | Televerde Foundation | Tempe Public Library |
| The Head for the Cure Foundation | The Heritage Community | Tiger Mountain Foundation | U.S. Green Building Council |
| UMOM New Day Centers | Welcome to America Project |
Interested in working with a Mission Team? Schedule a 20 minute discovery call here.
The Next Generation Service Corps has established a large network of trusted community partners in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Below is a sampling of our community partners that worked with our Mission Teams.
The NGSC 4-3-2-1 Model
is a framework that guides all Mission Teams in their annual activities.
Each team is required to complete the following:
By following the 4-3-2-1 Model, Mission Teams participate in educational activities that deepen their understanding of their chosen social issue.
Learning Experiences
Amp up your
Teams participate in educational activities that deepen their understanding of their chosen social issue.
Networking Experiences
Teams engage with professionals, community leaders, and peers to build connections and gain insights related to their mission.
Service Experiences
Teams contribute to the community through hands-on service activities that address identified needs.
Action
Teams take action by leading an effort in collaboration with community partners that assists in improving and solving important issues within the community. This Mission Team project should develop out of the team’s learning and understanding of the social mission and should be in response to an identified need of the community.
Student Quotes
Throughout my time in the Environmental Sustainability Mission Team so far,
I have really enjoyed being able to make a real-world impact on a social issue I deeply care about.
Ian Hsu
Cohort 9, Business Entrepreneurship Major,
Environmental Sustainability Mission Team
The experience of being on a Mission Team in the NGSC
offers real opportunities for growth and impactful change that I have yet to
find elsewhere. There are so many resources and support for Mission Team members,
and these have helped me connect with equally passionate individuals and deepen
my understanding of leadership and social issues.
I encourage everyone to use these opportunities to engage, grow,
and create real change through your Mission Teams.
Danny Marre-Surges
2025 NGSC Chief of Staff, Cohort 8,
Psychology Major, Youth Development Mission Team
My mission team experience has given me opportunities
to create better connections with individuals associated
with my personal social mission.
Kennedy Beasley
Cohort 8, Psychology Major,
Criminal Justice and Security Mission Team
Mission teams by the numbers
30+ Mission teams annually
350+ Students engaged in Mission Teams
15 Members per team
80+ Community agencies and organizations involved with NGSC Mission teams
$6,000+ Mini-Grants awarded to Mission Teams
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