Partnering with the Kelley School of Business through the Molson Coors Great Plays Grant has been a natural and impactful collaboration. As one of the nation’s top-ranked business schools, Kelley fosters a high-stress, highly competitive environment that can contribute to unhealthy coping strategies and increased risk for substance use. To address this, we have focused Great Plays resources on initiatives tailored to Kelley students’ unique culture and interests.

Our approach has been to design programming that resonates with business-minded students by blending entrepreneurship with substance use safety. One highlight was hosting Shirah and Michael Benarde, sibling co-founders of NightCap and winners on Shark Tank. They shared their entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing mentorship, networking, and perseverance in building a nationally recognized product designed to prevent drink spiking. Beyond their business insights, they underscored the risks of drink spiking in professional and networking settings where alcohol is often present. At the conclusion of the event, they distributed free NightCaps, engaged in meaningful conversations with students, and even discussed internship opportunities.

Another successful initiative was the Etiquette Dinner, co-hosted by Substance Use Intervention Services (SUIS) and the Faculty and Staff for Student Excellence (FASE) Mentoring Program. This event combined harm reduction education with professional development, giving students the chance to practice formal dining skills while also engaging in discussions around alcohol safety, social etiquette, and networking behavior. Attendees walked away with real-world strategies, thoughtful insights, and connections to professionals who shared both expertise and lived experience.

We also launched a social norming campaign designed specifically for Kelley students. Substance Use Intervention Services (SUIS), in collaboration with staff at the Kelley School of Business, developed the campaign to better understand and positively influence student perceptions around alcohol use. To inform the initiative, an 11-question Qualtrics survey was distributed to Kelley students, gathering data on alcohol-related behaviors, attitudes, and experiences within both academic and professional contexts. The results guided the creation of customized social norming graphics, produced by IU Marketing and displayed throughout Kelley during this academic year.