Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business today announced the recipients of the 2026 Social Impact Awards for Research and Outreach. These annual awards, valued at $5,000, recognize faculty and staff who model positive societal impact through work that aligns with the College’s “North Star” mission: ensuring business education serves as a force for good.
To be eligible, candidates submit research or outreach projects completed in the previous year that address one or more of a range of social and environmental topics facing society. The 2026 winners were selected 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 choices made by clients. By applying traditional marketing segmentation methods to a rare, large-scale dataset of more than 460,000 choices, the study provides food pantries with the tools to better understand client preferences based on demographics, ultimately helping these organizations serve their communities more effectively. The 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 challenges the widely accepted “cash transfer” approach to fighting global poverty. He argues that while cash transfers are popular, they can displace essential public infrastructure and lack the democratic power communities need. The work offers specific recommendations for implementing inclusive, bottom-up poverty alleviation 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 systematic literature review of 62 journal articles to examine the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental sustainability. The research highlights how AI can be used for energy and waste management while also addressing the “tension” created by AI’s own negative outcomes, such as increased energy demand and potential bias. The 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 developed and led a year-long professional development series designed to address compassion fatigue and burnout among Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and child welfare professionals. The initiative reached more than 120 participants across 14 Iowa counties, with 96% of attendees reporting an improved ability to manage emotional stress. The program has been recognized by the Iowa Child Advocacy Board as a model for statewide professional development.