The Southern Business Administration Association awarded Jacksonville University’s Davis College of Business and Technology the Societal Impact Award for the college’s Business for Social Good (BFSG) program. This is the first time the Davis College of Business has received the regional award.
The SBAA Societal Impact Award, which includes a $1,000 prize, recognizes outstanding approaches and achievements in business education. The Davis College of Business will receive the award and present its initiative at the 2024 annual SBAA meeting this month.
“It’s an honor to be acknowledged by SBAA for this award,” said Dr. Barbara Ritter, dean of the Davis College of Business and Technology. “Our students and faculty positively impact our community in a myriad of ways on a daily basis. It’s their continual efforts we celebrate with this recognition.”
The Davis College of Business BFSG program is an innovative service-learning initiative that connects students with local nonprofit organizations to address real-world business challenges. It’s unique in its integration of experiential learning and community service. The program allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Working alongside nonprofit leaders, students gain insights into the complexities of nonprofit operations and the unique organizational challenges these entities face.
The program, led by Dr. Jim Simak, director of the Center for Organizational Research and Executive Education, has strategic objectives focused on enhancing students’ understanding of organizational design, strategy and change management, while creating a positive societal impact.
The program’s interdisciplinary nature is another key feature, with students from various fields – business, computing and communication – collaborating on projects. This fosters a well-rounded approach to problem-solving and offers nonprofits a comprehensive set of recommendations tailored to their needs.
Graduate and undergraduate student teams work closely with nonprofit leadership, gaining hands-on experience in consulting and applying academic theory to practical situations. Each team delivers formal business recommendations to improve the nonprofit’s operational effectiveness, strategic growth and community outreach.
“Receiving the SBAA Societal Impact Award validates our commitment to socially responsible education. Our Business for Social Good program offers students a unique opportunity to drive change within the community while enhancing their own learning. This is just the beginning of their journey as socially conscious leaders who understand the true impact of business in society,” said Simak.
Since BFSG’s inception in 2023, there have been eight societal impact projects with several local nonprofits, including Beaches Habitat for Humanity, Northeast Florida Health Planning Council, First Coast Child Protection Team, First Coast Healing Hands, Inc. and Norman Studios Silent Film Museum.
The BFSG program has made a measurable impact on several nonprofit organizations, from increased community engagement to streamlined operational processes. For example, a collaboration with the First Coast Child Protection Team led to a 25% increase in community involvement and a 15% boost in donations, demonstrating the program’s ability to deliver real-world results.
