The CE Initiative extends annual mini-grants to faculty in order to support, motivate and help produce community-engaged research and teaching activities. Applications are evaluated by a committee along several dimensions, including but not limited to: the project’s potential direct impact on its community stakeholder, along with its focus on diversity, inclusivity and equity; the project’s innovativeness; its potential to succeed; and the continuation of its impact in future years.
These grants are supported by the Lam-Larsen Fund for Global Innovation, established through a generous gift from alum Chris Larsen (B.S., ’84), his wife Lyna Lam, and the Rippleworks Foundation.
Read about this year's mini-grants recipients:
2025 Mini-Grant Recipients
Kyungin Ryu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marketing Kyungin Ryu’s mini-grant project explores the impact of story type and image placement on willingness to pay. The project investigates how intermodal storytelling—the alignment of narrative type and image placement — influences consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for sustainable products. This study provides a high-impact experiential learning opportunity for six undergraduate and graduate students who will be involved in the research process. Students will gain hands-on skills in behavioral research, sustainability communication, community engagement, and data analysis, while being compensated for their time to support equitable participation. The project deliverables will be a customized report and a consultation on how label storytelling can be optimized to enhance consumer perception and value. The project will strengthen university–community ties while providing broad educational and commercial impact.
Lihua Wang, Ph.D.
Professor of International Business Lihua Wang’s mini-grant project focuses on providing access to professional development through partnerships with professional associations in the international business field. Professor Wang plans to work with Women-in-International Trade, North California (WIT-NC), Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of Northern California (CBFANC), and Women in Localization to recruit Lam Family College of Business students to become active members of these associations. The project will help students access the latest industry knowledge, networking opportunities, and professional growth.