Soul Series #1: Interview with Chelsea Dunleavy

Welcome to SOUL SERIES, our new blog series on “Views from the U,” consisting of featured interviews highlighting student stories and how they’re changing the world.

Hailing from the Bay Area, Chelsea Dunleavy is currently a sophomore Marketing student at the University of San Diego. On campus, she is involved with the Changemaker Hub, Design Thinking Team, and Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Her passion, dedication, and badassery inspires everyone she meets to live their lives intentionally and fully. She is going to change the world. Get to know her here!

Chelsea, I know you as my close friend and more specifically a fierce, empowering force who always lights the fire in me to grow and act on my ideas, and I’m so excited for others to get to know you more. How would you describe yourself in your own words? 

I would describe myself as a strong, intelligent, creative, feisty woman with big goals and the desire to uplift the people around me. I’m loud, have big curly hair, messy, and am learning to be unapologetically myself.

What is a quality you value most in yourself? 

I most value my passion. Passion is the ability to experience emotions in an extreme manner. In the past I have tried to tone down my emotions and saw it as a weakness. Now, passion for my projects keeps me fueled to think of creative solutions and stay up late at night putting it into action. I now value this energy and channel it in a productive way. 

Your crazy passion in life is one of the things that inspires me the most. What are you most passionate about?

I’m most passionate about working with different communities. I've struggled in the past with trying to decide which cause/ issue to focus on. Yet, no person can rank one issue more important than another like on a hierarchy. So instead of stressing on if what I am doing right now is enough or as important as other pressing issues I remind myself: If I can make someone else’s tomorrow better, I will. 

Looking back, what do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment thus far?

My greatest accomplishment thus far would probably be being chosen as my high school graduation speaker, which is actually a funny story. I was mistaken on the deadline and realized this when I was half way done with writing the speech at 1am. I cried, but then decided that I was going to write the best speech they have ever seen so that they would have to at least read it. I walked into the office the next day and the academic dean told me I couldn't submit it late. I asked her to just read it, if she didn’t like it she could throw it away right there.  I even offered to give the speech right there in the middle of the office in front of the whole staff. All I wanted was for her to hear it. Apparently she did read it because I was ultimately chosen to be the graduation speaker. I’m really proud of that opportunity. I was super, super nervous, but then I looked out into the crowd of so many people I loved...and it was incredible.

It’s crazy, you’re just about half way through your college experience! How has your time at USD been so far?

It has been a journey for sure. My first year I learned how to spend time by myself and be okay with it and not feel sorry for myself. I learned to find strength in solidarity. I also rowed for USD which has a D1 program and that was an incredible opportunity. My sophomore year I joined many clubs I didn’t have time for last year such as Changemaker Hub, the design thinking club, and Alpha Delta Pi. I'm learning about different social issues and learning how I can be a better agent for change. I was able to work on a team to bring Ozzi boxes to campus. I wanted to expand on my ideas for my sorority and so I ran for the executive board this year and now hold the position of VP Event Management. I loved public speaking so I helped run workshops in design thinking. This year I have really grown into my own skin, recognizing my strengths and using them to make concrete change.  

Tell me about your experience in social innovation at USD. What originally drew you to design thinking and what have you learned from it? 

I was a part of the Changemaker Hub where we talked about different social issues. This is where I discovered my knack for coming up with ideas for potential solutions. I discovered I loved problem solving. Yet what I quickly found out was (1) oftentimes my solutions were mistargeted and (2) I didn’t know how to solve the root of the issue. Then I got the opportunity to learn about design thinking, which is a method of problem solving that is human focused, gets to the root of the issue, and results in sustainable and systemic change. It helps to foster do-able action plans to actually execute the idea. Here I had the opportunity to take all my ideas, something I was good at, and learn how to actually do them, something I struggled with. Now, it's become a habit to practice design thinking. When I'm faced with a problem, I look into why that's happening, and ask “how can we…” statements. These are basically statements that set you up for action. I've become a deeper and more empathetic listener, developed my curiosity and ability to see what’s possible, and have the tools to create an action plan all because of design thinking. 

What’s something that you have had to overcome?

I had a tough financial situation growing up. Because of this, I knew that I had to earn everything that I wanted to achieve in life. I busted my butt in 7th and 8th grade to get a full scholarship to a prestigious high school and prove that I am worthy of this opportunity. In high school I knew we couldn't pay for an expensive college so I had to earn every scholarship I could. Getting A’s was not an accomplishment, it was and still is a requirement. The pursuit of excellence is a requirement because I can't afford to pay, I have to earn a spot. 

When I was younger, my father passed away which changed a lot of my childhood, including our family dynamic and financial situation as it was primarily my mom and I together growing up. I went to grief counseling and it was there where I learned the importance of healthy coping mechanisms. Even more so I learned how to help others cope with their grief by becoming a junior counselor at the camp they hosted. It was at this camp where I fell in love with public speaking. Having the opportunity to speak at this camp gave me more confidence in the words that I say and allowed me to find strength in vulnerability. Later on, I was shown a video of me speaking and found out that my speech inspired a man dealing with trauma to go back to therapy. I learned valuable lessons about myself, what I have passion for, and where I want to go with that passion from some tough life experiences. Yet, I'm not here to say those experiences are worth it. If I had the choice I would have my dad back in a second and grow up comfortably financially. I don't have that choice, so I have tried to make the best of my situation.  

Wow, that is incredibly inspiring how you have been able to take a very difficult situation and use it for good- something that I think everyone can take with them. Looking forward, if money was off the table, what would be your dream job?

My dream job would be to create a shelter specifically for pitbulls! Pitbulls often have a negative stereotype and I think it’s important to showcase that this isn’t true. They are so cute with gorgeous smiles, and are so forgiving. I would love on them and create a space for them to be adopted into loving homes.

When will you know that you’ve “made it” in life?

I will know I’ve made it when I’m hosting really cool pool parties at my house in my late 30s with all my college friends, family, and kids where we can talk about all our old memories and realize just how awesome life has been. My mom would do this when I was growing up, my friends and I would play in the pool and they would sit in a circle talking. I don't believe in thinking you've made it and recognizing you’ve had a good life when you're very old. By then it’s too late to begin to recognize how great your life is. 

What’s something that you want to do with the rest of your time at USD? 

I want to take on a project that lasts past my four years. I would love to set up a program that links students with the San Diego community and one that helps women get to where they aspire to be in life. I hope to help change their mindset and what they think is possible, and not just focus on what has been done before. I want to inspire people to say “Why?” and “What if?” taking that curiosity and having the drive and determination to back it up. 

Thank you so much to Chelsea for being the FIRST featured interview on Views from the U, your wisdom, and most importantly being one of the biggest inspirations in my life!!

Make sure to keep up with her on Instagram- and keep a look out because this woman IS changing the world around her for the better.

Instagram: @hi_its_chelsss