Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business recently celebrated the winners of the 2026 Social Impact Awards for Research and Outreach. Each year, these $5,000 awards honor faculty and staff who exemplify the College’s mission of using business education as a positive societal force.
Eligible candidates submit projects completed in the previous year that address social and environmental issues. The 2026 awardees were chosen by a committee led by the Zimpleman Research Coordinator.
“These recipients have not only produced work of the highest academic and professional caliber, but they have also addressed challenges that impact our communities and society,” said Alanah Mitchell, dean of the Zimpleman College of Business. “By combining business principles with actionable solutions rooted in integrity, they are proving that business can, and should, be a catalyst for meaningful change in our communities and the world.”
Social Impact Research Award Recipients
Lendie Follett, Associate Professor of Business Analytics, Co-Director of Data Analytics, and Department Chair of Actuarial Science, Analytics, and Information Systems
Project: Leveraging Data Analysis To Understand Food Pantry Client Choice
Impact: Professor Follett and her coauthors utilized observational data from a food pantry to analyze client choices. Through marketing segmentation methods applied to a rare, large-scale dataset of over 460,000 choices, the study equips food pantries with insights into client preferences based on demographics, enhancing their service effectiveness. This research was published in the British Food Journal.
Heath Henderson, Associate Professor of Economics
Project: Poor Relief — Why Giving People Money is Not the Answer to Global Poverty.
Impact: In his book published by Harvard University Press, Professor Henderson critiques the prevalent “cash transfer” approach to alleviating global poverty. He contends that while cash transfers are widespread, they might displace critical public infrastructure and fall short of empowering communities democratically. The book offers recommendations for more inclusive, grassroots poverty reduction programs.
Troy Strader, Aliber Distinguished Professor of Information Systems
Project: Meta-Analysis Review of AI and Environmental Sustainability
Impact: Professor Strader and his coauthors conducted a comprehensive review of 62 journal articles exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) intersects with environmental sustainability. Their research underscores AI’s potential in energy and waste management while acknowledging challenges like increased energy demand and inherent biases. This study was published in the Journal of International Technology and Information Management.
Social Impact Outreach Award
Claire Muselman, Assistant Professor of Practice in Leadership, Human Resources, and Organizational Behavior
Project: Sparkle & Strengthen: A Self-Care Series for Child Advocates.
Impact: Professor Muselman spearheaded a professional development series targeting compassion fatigue and burnout among Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and child welfare professionals. The series engaged over 120 participants across 14 Iowa counties, with 96% reporting improved stress management skills. The Iowa Child Advocacy Board has recognized this initiative as a model for statewide professional development.
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