Stanley Stewart '16 is a Swearer Center regular - as a Social Innovation Fellow, a College Access Scholar, and a former iProv intern, he is dedicated to social change. His current venture, 1vyG, aims to strengthen and empower a network of first-generation college students.

Q: What is your social venture, and how did it start?
A: I work with my two other partners, Manuel Contreras '16 and Jessica Brown '16, on a social venture called 1vyG, which aims to build a pan-Ivy network of support for first-generation college students.

Q: What is the most important lesson you've learned since starting your venture?
A: So often we feel empowered as leaders to have the "solution" to whatever problem we hope to "fix." Quite often the opposite is true - the true experts and the best solutions come from those with lived experienced.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to any college student thinking of becoming a "changemaker"? A: There isn't an absence of problems - lots of people complain about them everyday. The question is, what are you going to do about it?

Q: What is your personal mission statement?
A: I do the work that I do because it is necessary and important, never because it is easy or simple. Recognizing and acting in the spirit of the importance of the work that needs to be done is what motivates me.

Q: What's one surprising fact people might not know about you?
A: I am the proud owner of 5 turtles! All of which happen to be multicolored stuffed animals.

If you know a Brown student or alum who is making a difference on campus, in Providence, or around the world, nominate them here to see them featured as Changemaker of the Week.