Students and Faculty Lead Economic Revitalization in Perry, Iowa

In a unique collaboration with the city of Perry, Iowa, Drake students and faculty are taking on leadership roles to help the community navigate through challenging times. Through the Jay N. Darling Institute, Drake is lending its expertise and creativity to support Perry’s economic revitalization efforts following the recent closure of a Tyson Foods meatpacking plant.

Allie Raines, a sophomore double-majoring in graphic design and environmental science, is one of the students making a difference. Working remotely with Perry’s communications team, Raines has been instrumental in creating graphic designs for the city’s rebranding effort, Perry Next. “They didn’t have the time to handle all the design work needed for their rebrand,” Raines shared. “I’m thrilled to help them connect with their community and work toward their goal of revitalization.”

Raines’ involvement with Perry is just one example of how Drake students are applying their skills in real-world scenarios. Under the guidance of Professor Keith Summerville, Paul and Claudia Schickler Executive Director of the Jay N. Darling Institute, students like Raines are paid research associates, contributing to crucial projects like rebranding, economic policy research, and community engagement strategies. “We’ve been partnering with Perry for close to a decade,” Summerville said. “In the wake of the Tyson plant closure, we’ve mobilized our students and faculty to provide much-needed support, from developing and designing a new brand to researching economic strategies for the future.”

As the city of Perry faces the challenges of rebuilding and recovering, Drake’s involvement demonstrates the powerful impact of academic-community partnerships. By bringing together the skills and knowledge of its students and faculty, Drake is not only providing critical assistance to Perry, the University is offering students hands-on experiences that reach well beyond the walls of a classroom.