Student Impact Grant Recipients


Student Impact Grants help Hawkeyes experience, learn, and discover important lessons outside the classroom. Past recipients show you cannot always anticipate when a unique idea is going to arise—or when it will inspire action or creation. Support from the Iowa Impact Fund helps in the pursuit of new and exciting ventures. Read the stories of two Student Impact Grant recipients.

For a More Accepting Community

An image from Nachte Raho, a celebration partially funded by an Iowa Student Impact Grant.

Ridhi Jani

In an effort to celebrate and share Indian culture with the University of Iowa community, the Indian Student Alliance (ISA) hosts a series of charitable, cultural, educational, and social events each year. "Spreading diversity and cultural awareness is extremely important to us," says Ridhi Jani, president of the Indian Student Alliance.

The group’s yearly showcase event, Nachte Raho, is one of the largest Bollywood fusion dance competitions in the Midwest. Eight of the best university dance teams from around the nation come to Iowa and perform. The Student Impact Grant helped pay for a top-notch venue, Hancher Auditorium, and secure judges for the competition.

For a Better Quality of Life

An image of Sandra Castillo, a recipient of an Iowa Student Impact Grant.

Sandra Castillo

Tackling real-life problems and gaining hands-on experiences are important for future engineers, including Sandra Castillo. Through her work with the University of Iowa chapter of Continental Crossing—which helps communities in developing countries construct footbridges— Castillo spent five weeks in Nicaragua repairing two suspended bridges.

Thanks to the Student Impact Grant, Castillo was able to pay for lodging, meals, medical and health expenses, and equipment for the trip. "Your support made my experience accessible and affordable," says Castillo. "Your generosity is helping change the world and making a difference in the lives of so many students."

Learn how to apply for the Student Impact Grants.

If you are interested in helping provide students with more opportunities like these, please support the Iowa Impact Fund.

Iowa Magazine
Explore the latest stories from Iowa Magazine.
Related Content

The UI Stanley Museum of Art chronicles an unlikely partnership between local elementary students and a groundbreaking New York pop artist.

Iowa field hockey has a long history of tremendous goalkeepers?and junior Mia Magnotta is continuing that strong tradition. PHOTO: Jerod Ringwald/hawkeyesports.com Mia Magnotta ended the regular season ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference for most saves. It was worth the wait for Kelly Druley-Herron (00BS). For three seasons, she was back-up goalkeeper to Lisa Cellucci (98BA) on Iowa?s field hockey squad. It was a great learning experience for the Massachusetts native. ?When I stepped foot on campus at Iowa, I had to come in and re-learn the game because I had never played on turf before,? she says. ?It?s a much faster game, and Lisa showed me the way. Every moment I could I tried to observe, absorb, and get better.? In 1999, Druley-Herron got her chance and made the most of it?becoming an All-American and leading the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten Conference title and Final Four appearance. It was a magical senior season that resulted in Druley-Heron being named the 1999?2000 UI Female Athlete of the Year. ?That was really special,? says Druley-Herron of the team that was recognized earlier this fall at Kinnick Stadium. ?We shut out a lot of teams that year. Our defense?the girls in front of me?did a great job and helped control the types of shots I saw. When things didn?t go as planned, I tried to use my athleticism and gut instincts to dominate the game.? PHOTO: hawkeyesports.com The 1999 Iowa field hockey season was one for the recordbooks. It was just the seventh time the Hawkeyes made the Final Four, and three team memebers received All American honors. A Long History of Blocking Shots, Breaking Records Throughout its nearly five-decade history, Iowa field hockey has seen a number of exceptional goalkeepers. Donna (Lee) Chung (83BS) is in the UI Athletics Hall of Fame, holds school records for most goalkeeper victories and shutouts, and led the Hawkeyes to multiple national tournament appearances. Karen Napolitano (88BS, 92JD) was an All-American and led Iowa to the 1986 national championship, fellow All-American Barb Weinberg (05BA) saw both success at Iowa and as a member of the USA National Team, and Andrea Wieland (92BA, 02MBA, 04PhD) was an All-American, 1996 Olympian, and is also in the UI Athletics Hall of Fame. And then there?s Cellucci, a three-time All-American, who still holds the Hawkeye record for most goalkeeper saves with 592. ?Iowa has always been known as a premier school for goalkeepers,? says Cellucci, who has been the head coach for the Hawkeyes since 2014. ?Over the years, Iowa has been referred to as Goalkeeping U. When I was recruited as a student-athlete, I knew about the tradition of success in the cage and as a program. To this day, there are only three or four Division I programs that can compete with the sustained national success of Iowa field hockey. It was a dream come true to play in goal for the Hawks for four years, and it?s been an absolute honor and privilege to coach at my alma mater for the past 25 years.? Guiding the Next Generation of Goalkeepers Iowa?s rich tradition at goalkeeper helps attract recruits on the national and international level. Mia Magnotta, Iowa?s third-year goalkeeper, chose the Hawkeyes, in part, to be coached by Cellucci. ?I wanted to reach my full potential, and I knew with experience, Coach Cellucci could help me,? says Magnotta. ?From when I first got on campus in 2021 to now, I?ve grown so much both off and on the field. She?s the reason why I?m a better athlete and person.? Magnotta got her start at keeper in 2023 after backing up Grace McGuire (23BA), who started 57 games for the Hawkeyes. She ended last season with eight defensive shutouts and allowed just 1.09 goals per game?good for sixth best in Division I field hockey. ?She?s driven, she?s competitive, and has all of the tools necessary to lead. When Iowa puts it all together, the Hawkeyes are a hard team to beat. ? ? Kelly Druley-Herron ?I just tried to learn and absorb as much as I could,? says Magnotta, a native of Forty-Fort, Pennsylvania. ?I think that?s really helped me be more confident in my abilities and with my teammates on the pitch.? This season, Magnotta has continued to work on her communication skills. As goalkeeper, she plays an instrumental role in guiding the entire team. ?After I got used to the pace of the game?which is faster than high school field hockey?I?ve worked on being more of a vocal leader on the turf,? says Magnotta. ?I?m in charge of communicating a lot of tactical information?telling defenders where they should be positioned and helping them navigate attackers. I?m also supporting them, pumping them up, and instilling confidence.? For Druley-Herron, she knows Magnotta will continue to find success as a Hawkeye keeper. ?She stepped into the cage and didn?t miss a beat,? says Druley-Herron. ?She?s driven, she?s competitive, and has all of the tools necessary to lead. When Iowa puts it all together, the Hawkeyes are a hard team to beat.?

The leadership of the University of Iowa Center for Advancement

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Statement unless you have disabled them in your browser.