Drake University Honors 2025 Social Impact Innovators
Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business has unveiled the 2025 recipients of its Social Impact Research and Outreach Awards. These accolades celebrate faculty and staff who address significant societal challenges through their academic and community endeavors. Thanks to the generosity of Larry and Kathi Zimpleman, each winning project receives a $5,000 award, promoting efforts that tackle various social and environmental issues.
“Exploring where business adds value to society is more important than ever especially for those of us who believe in the power of the free market,” remarked Alejandro Hernandez, dean of the Zimpleman College of Business. He emphasized that the awards highlight the college’s mission to positively influence society by transforming lives and bolstering community strength.
Innovative Projects Recognized
Lendie Follett: Expanding Meals on Wheels Using Data
In a bid to tackle food insecurity among rural seniors, Dr. Follett’s students from the STAT 172 course harnessed public data to build predictive models. These models were used to strategically extend the Wesley Life Meals on Wheels services beyond Polk County. This initiative contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2, aiming for Zero Hunger.
Claire Muselman: Data-Driven Storytelling for Non-Profits
Dr. Muselman crafted a training curriculum to enhance the communication skills of Shelter Animals Count, an organization that aggregates data from animal shelters. By translating complex data into compelling narratives, the organization experienced a fundraising surge from $500,000 to beyond $2.5 million in 2024. This effort ties into SDG 3, focusing on Good Health and Well-Being, by emphasizing animal welfare’s impact on communities.
Ina Purvanova: Tailoring Diversity Training for Impact
Dr. Purvanova’s research focuses on customizing diversity training to better engage participants, particularly those skeptical about such initiatives. The study, published in Applied Psychology: An International Review, explores the segmentation of training by gender to improve outcomes. This work aligns with SDG 5, which promotes Gender Equality, and holds the potential to influence diversity practices in numerous organizations.
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