Viterbi GCSP Spirit Scholars
Spirit Scholars Track
In addition to general Viterbi GCSP Designation, Viterbi undergrads have the opportunity to earn the distinction as a GCSP Spirit Scholar by participating in the Spirit Scholar track. Spirit Scholar students engage in a more consistent longitudinally guided GCSP experience. Spirit Scholar are responsible for engaging in experiences that meet the Five Mindsets of GCSP, while also participating in additional required experiences.
Spirit Scholars focus their GCSP experience around a self-chosen challenge within a particular GCSP theme.
Students who complete the Spirit Scholar track will be will receive the Designation of Viterbi Grand Challenges Scholar with the distinction of Spirit Scholar, denoting their consistent pursuit and engagement within a Grand Challenge-like topic. Spirit Scholars will be eligible to receive additional awards and opportunities as Grand Challenges Scholars.
The Difference Between GCSP Experiences
General Track
Students will deliver a list of Los Angeles region specific Grand Challenges aligning with each of the four themes of GCSP. List of challenges will include the following:
- Students must engage in relevant and meaningful experiences within the Five Mindsets of GCSP
- Experiences span across student's time in undergrad
- Advisement available for staying on track and helping students find experiences
- Use the GCSP Tracking tool on myViterbi
- Submit Designation application senior year, justifying GCSP-relevant experiences
- Opportunities to participate in GCSP program experiences
Spirit Scholars Track
- Students must engage in relevant and meaningful experiences within the Five Mindsets of GCSP
- Experiences span across student's time in undergrad
- Advisement available for staying on track and helping students find experiences
- Use the GCSP Tracking tool on myViterbi
- Submit Designation application senior year, justifying GCSP-relevant experiences
- Opportunities to participate in GCSP program experiences
- Longitudinally guided GCSP experience related to solving for a particular problem within a GCSP theme
- Selection of a particular challenge within a GCSP Theme
- Completion of special projects
- Participate in GCSP sponsored experiences
- Expectation of identifying a potential solution or in-depth understanding
Milestones of the Spirit Scholars Track
As a part of the Spirit Scholars Track, students are required to meet specific milestones throughout their time in GCSP. These milestones are designed to help students develop their understanding of a chosen problem.
As an example, these milestones offer a general guide of where a student should be based on a four-year undergraduate path, but can be adjusted with GCSP advisor to properly accommodate more or less undergraduate time.
Milestones
Milestone Set #1
- Team problem solving
- Service Experiences
Milestone Set #2
- Identify a Problem of Practice
- Team Project
- Case presentation
Milestone Set #3
- Poster Presentation
- Business Pitch
- Media Workshop
Milestone Set #4
- Demonstration of Solution / Understanding of problem
- Poster presentation
Responsibility as a GCSP Spirit Scholar
The Spirit Scholars Track is a more rigorous, long-term commitment to consistent engagement with GCSP. Students who participate in the Spirit Scholars track are expected to keep up with GCSP advisement and all associated program requirements. While flexibility is offered to help accommodate the busy and academically challenging nature of the engineering major, students will be held accountable to any provided deadlines and are responsible for timely communication with GCSP program directors and advisors.