The 2025 Michigan Campus Community Challenge (M-C3) showcased the creativity and social impact of student innovators across Michigan’s independent colleges and universities. Designed to integrate real-world, project-based learning into the campus experience, the M-C3 competition awards scholarships to students who develop innovative proposals that address community needs. This year’s finalists impressed a panel of business leaders, nonprofit executives, and academic professionals during a live virtual pitch session.

Taking first place was Daniel John from Calvin University, advised by Jon VerLee, for his project BiliRoo—a low-cost, portable neonatal jaundice treatment device aimed at increasing access to life-saving care in low-resource settings. Daniel received an $8,500 scholarship for his impactful innovation. In second place, Alma College students Lauren McCarthy, Devin DeMarais, Eli Festerling, and Joey Stankewitz, led by faculty advisor Justin Rito, earned a $5,500 scholarship for ACCMO (Alma College Community Music Outreach), a program that brings music education and performance opportunities to underserved communities while providing experiential learning for college students.

Third place went to College for Creative Studies students Tanaya Rahurkar and Ananya Thakur, who received a $3,500 scholarship for their proposal Brainbounce, an interactive digital tablet to help children with emotional dysregulation manage their emotions independently in the classroom. In fourth place, Adrian College students Themba Mazibuko and Bautista Rodriguez were awarded a $2,500 scholarship for UniSphere, an AI-powered platform that collects, verifies, and delivers real-time, crowdsourced, and institution-backed data to international students helping them make informed decisions when choosing what campus they want to attend when studying abroad. Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding ideas and commitment to making a positive difference in their communities.