Women of the Well House provide funding for 14 campus, community projects

KOKOMO, Ind. - About 800 senior citizens in three north central Indiana counties will receive free health screenings from Indiana University Kokomo nursing students, with grant funding from the campus's philanthropic giving circle.

The project was one of 14 campus and community projects that were awarded a total of $50,000 in grant funding from Women of the Well House, investing in initiatives that enrich the student experience and benefit the surrounding community.

Angela Opsahl, dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, said the initiative promotes nursing student engagement in health and wellness outreach, and aims to reduce the risk of chronic illness and improve health literacy in rural populations with limited access to healthcare.

Undergraduate nursing students will offer blood pressure checks and A1C testing at eight events on campus and at senior centers in Howard, Tipton, and Grant counties. They will also provide health coaching and referral to local providers as needed.

"This initiative is an incredible opportunity to strengthen community partnerships while enhancing student learning," she said, adding that it will be expanded in fall 2026 to include family nurse practitioner students to assist in foot exams and diabetic education.

"We can't wait to get started and see the positive outcomes this initiative will bring," she said.

The project was one of 14 led by faculty, staff, and students that received approximately $50,000 in grants from Women of the Well House. Additional programs funded by 2025 grants include projects to stage a production of the musical State Fair, to create a library of laptops students may borrow, to promote research by IU Kokomo students and faculty, and to study supplement use and recovery by female student-athletes, among others.

Tara Scott, assistant director of development, said Women of the Well House has given about $279,000 to programs since its inception in 2017, benefitting not only IU Kokomo, but the surrounding community.

Additional projects receiving funding included:

2026 LEAD Conference: Gloria Preece, assistant dean of the School of Business and assistant professor of personal financial planning and marketing, and Ashley Leicht, lecturer in business, applied for funds on behalf of the Women in Business (WIB) Student Organization's flagship event. Grant funds will help support keynote speaker fees, interactive workshops, and student-led activities aimed at fostering leadership, professional development, and networking opportunities for participants. This grant will enable WIB to expand its reach, providing more students with the resources and experiences necessary to succeed in their academic and professional journeys.

2026 Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Conference: Rosalyn Davis, clinical professor of psychology, and Kathryn Holcomb, associate professor of psychology, applied for a grant to take 10 students to the annual conference in Chicago. Students will attend presentations from across the disciplines of psychology and specialized sessions to present their research and have opportunities to network with potential employers and academic institutions across the country.

Bird Campus Indiana: After successfully becoming the first "Bird Campus" in Indiana, Lina Rifai, associate professor of vertebrate biology, received funds for to continue collecting data on bird populations on campus. This project provides undergraduate research opportunities for students, close-up experiences for the community with wild birds, and connects the campus further to the community. Rifai plans to continue adding radio tracking technology as a research and educational tool, so students can be part of collaborative projects across borders with other researchers for better implementations of conservation policies.

Frame Building Workshop: Carrie Baxter, art gallery coordinator, received funding for a workshop to provide university art students and community members with hands-on instruction in constructing custom wooden frames for artwork.

Green Horizons Initiative: Andy Tuholski, director of the Office of Sustainability and assistant professor of political science, received funds for The Green Horizons Initiative at IU Kokomo. The five-year project integrates ecological restoration with interdisciplinary education and community engagement. Grant funding is focused on removing decades of overgrowth on Kokomo Creek, a campus border that intersects with restoration areas and honeybee hives. The spring 2026 phase funds labor and materials to cut and treat invasive plants, remove trash, chip cleared biomass on site, and return chips to establish a safe path, preparing the corridor for a future dredging project. After clearing, flood-tolerant native trees, shrubs, and plugs will be installed.

IUK Education Abroad Poland: Gloria Preece, assistant dean of the School of Business and assistant professor of personal financial planning and marketing; and Adam Smith, associate professor of management, received funding for students participating in a School of Business trip to Poland, focused on global business practices and cultural engagement. Approximately 20 students will participate in pre-departure class sessions followed by a 10-day in country experiential learning program that includes company visits, cultural excursions, and discussions with business leaders.

IU Kokomo spring musical, State Fair: Erin Doss, associate professor of communication, received funding for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences' production of State Fair, planned for April 17-29.

IU Kokomo Student Technology Equity Program (STEP): Yan He, dean of the Library, and Britney Netherton, access services supervisor, were granted funds to establish a circulation collection of laptops, aiming to remove a significant barrier to academic success by providing no-cost, long-term laptop access. The Library is partnering with the Office for Student Success and Advising and the Office for Student Life to manage the program.

Overseas Student Course/Trip Italy 2026: Minda Douglas, associate professor of fine arts; and Aaron Pickens, associate professor of new media, received funding to support student travel costs to Italy, where they will study ancient Roman art, architecture, culture, and traditions, visit the Roman Forum and Colosseum, and go to Pompeii, Siena, and Florence.

Research Spotlight: Elevating Scholarship Through Talks, Podcasts, and Inclusive Storytelling: Yanling Liu, assistant librarian and coordinator of information literacy and research services; Yan He, dean of the Library; and Patrick Motl, dean of the School of Sciences, received funding to position the Library as a center for inclusive scholarship by promoting faculty and student research using talks, podcasts, and an annual recognition event.

School of Business - BUS-X 107 - Professional Development: Sarah Byrd, visiting lecturer of business, and Ashley Leicht, lecturer of business, received funding to assist in the professional training of the Gallup: Successful Strengths Coaching program, needed to utilize the StrengthsFinder program with students in class.

School of Business Peer Mentorship Program: Sarah Byrd, visiting lecturer of business, Ashley Leicht, lecturer of business, and student peer mentors Gannon Davis and Blakely Lake received funding for a peer mentoring leadership retreat for new and continuing peer mentors in the School of Business.

A Survey on Dietary Supplement Use and Recovery Practices among Collegiate Student-Athletes: A Foundation for a Women's Health and Performance Initiative and Student Research Experience: Huiying Zhu, assistant professor of health sciences, received funds for a student-led initiative to study the supplement use and recovery practices of female student-athletes and active students, noting that women are underrepresented in sports science, creating a significant gap in resources for their unique physiological needs.

Membership in Women of the Well House is open to anyone who makes a $1,000 per year commitment. Each member has a voice in selecting projects to fund. To learn more or become a member, contact Scott at [email protected].

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.