Christiana Mann, Department of Applied Business Studies
Project: Cook with Purpose
Community Partners: Avondale Neighborhood Association, Common Market, Avondale United Methodist Church, Muncie Food Hub, Soup Kitchen of Muncie, Cardinal Kitchen, Guardian Scholars Program
In the Hospitality 101 course "Cook with Purpose," students produced meals for real individuals facing food insecurity. They collaborated directly with the Avondale Neighborhood Association, Common Market, Avondale United Methodist Church, the Food Hub (which donated fresh produce), the Soup Kitchen of Muncie, Cardinal Kitchen, and the Guardian Scholars Program to understand service logistics, dietary considerations, food safety requirements, and volume forecasting. Many students reported that this was the first time they saw hospitality as a vehicle for community impact rather than simply a career pathway.
Mary Provence, Department of Social Work
Project: Needs Assessment at Muncie Public Library
Community Partner: Muncie Public Library
In the Social Work 430 course, students worked with Muncie Public Libraries to design and conduct a needs assessment for patrons and staff. Library patrons often present with pressing psycho-social needs such as housing, food, mental health, and substance abuse concerns. Library staff are typically not fully equipped to handle these non-traditional patron needs. The students made several recommendations, including a suggestion that social work interns be placed at Muncie Public Libraries-and they were!
Jason Stanfield, Department of Accounting
Project: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Community Partner: People of Muncie, IN
In the Accounting 415 course, students participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or VITA program. In Spring 2025, Dr. Stanfield and his students helped nearly 200 individuals file their taxes through the program. Students gain hands-on experience managing a professional service environment while strengthening client relationship skills and applying tax knowledge acquired through IRS WITA certification and prior coursework. Students also complete a semester-long best practices project. Through this initiative, they evaluate, define, or refine key aspects of the program to enhance both client outcomes and the overall student learning experience.
Chris Wilkey, Department of Marketing
Project: Digital Marketing Immersive Capstone
Community Partner: New Castle Main Street
In the Marketing 490 course, "Digital Marketing Immersive Capstone," students do real digital marketing work for real clients. Last year, the class partnered with New Castle Main Street and worked with 8 downtown businesses. Students did discovery and research, figured out what was working and what was not, built a clear plan, created content and assets, and then delivered final recommendations and materials that the businesses could actually use. Students got coaching on how to present ideas, how to incorporate feedback, and how to deliver work that is usable, not just impressive.