Good Trouble

Supporting and celebrating Mason students in spurring positive social change 

Good Trouble Logo

In 2020, the late civil rights activist Congressman John R. Lewis called out

To each and every one of you, especially you young people ... Go out there, speak up, speak out. Get in the way. Get in good trouble. Necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.

Starting in Fall 2022, the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL) and a group of university faculty began to bring students together to discuss what it means to “get in good trouble” for each of us, whether protesting in the streets, organizing a grassroots group, volunteering service, social change research, getting out the vote, or contacting your representatives. The group held monthly meetings, culminating in the decision to focus efforts on a yearly event to celebrate and recognize student organizations and local community groups that engage in Good Trouble.

In the spring term of 2023, students and faculty met twice to begin event planning. The dates for additional planning meetings will be forthcoming.

Spring 2023 “Good Trouble” Leadership

Natasha Latouf, Doctoral student, Department of Physics & Astronomy, and Spectrum Co-Founder

K. L. Akerlof, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science & Policy

Ben Manski, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Richard T. Craig, Associate Professor, Department of Communication 

Paula Danquah-Brobby, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), College of Science

John Dale, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology