🧭 The DifferenceCorps: Orientation Guide (V.1)

Ehsan Zaffar June 13, 2025 11:23pm Our Mission We build things to help people. The Difference Engine at Arizona State University is a venture studio that creates practical solutions to inequality by leveraging student innovation, faculty expertise, and community leaders...

2. Program Overview

Ehsan Zaffar May 21, 2026 1:44am Program Mission DifferenceCorps is designed to harness the skills, experience, and passion of talented professionals ready to build practical solutions to inequality. As a Corps member, you'll work with our Difference Engineers and rele...

3. Application & Selection

Ehsan Zaffar May 21, 2026 1:44am We’re Looking for Finishers, Not Just Starters At DifferenceCorps, we value people who follow through. Good ideas are common—seeing them through is rare. That’s why our application process is built to find people who finish what they st...

4. How it Works

Ehsan Zaffar May 21, 2026 1:44am How to join 1. Understand our approach by reviewing our website and this handbook 2. Develop a basic project idea that matches your skills with community needs 3. Submit your application when the quarterly window opens; you can complete...

5. What You’ll Do

Ehsan Zaffar May 21, 2026 1:44am Projects that matter The best projects start with actual community needs, not abstract theories. They center community voice and leadership from day one. We care about what can be accomplished within our cycle structure, not pie-in-the-...

6. After the Program

Ehsan Zaffar June 13, 2025 11:25pm When your nine months conclude, your journey with The Difference Engine doesn't have to end. Join our network of Difference Engineers to stay connected with fellow change-makers who've shared your experience. Many Corps members continue ...

7. FAQs

Ehsan Zaffar May 21, 2026 1:44am Is this paid? No. It's a volunteer opportunity with project funding, not a job. Is this for students? This opportunity isn’t primarily designed for traditional high school or college students, as we have other ways for you to get invo...

8. User Journeys

Ehsan Zaffar May 21, 2026 1:44am Here's what your journey with the DifferenceCorps could look like: Jameela's Journey: From Federal Service to Community Impact Jameela got laid off from the EPA. Now what? She had this app that measured pollution levels in neighborhoods...