The University of Iowa has received a Celebrate Business and Economic Impact Award from the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Des Moines Business Record for providing safe and affordable housing for college students interning in Central Iowa.

The university received the Education Drives Our Greater Economy (EDGE) award, recognizing organizations that lead innovative initiatives that foster a culture of education. The university was honored for the Internship Village at the Iowa Center for Higher Education, on the campus of the former AIB business school. The village provides an affordable and safe housing option offered in AIB’s former residence halls that allow college students from around the country to intern at Des Moines–area companies.

In addition to campus housing, the UI also offers four academic undergraduate degree programs at the ICHE—political science, enterprise leadership, and sport and recreation management—as well as graduate and undergraduate programs in social work. The campus boasts a full-service recreational center that is open to the surrounding community, including a gymnasium that serves as the home court of the Iowa Christian Academy, a local private high school, and Iowa Force, the new Des Moines women’s professional basketball team.

The award was presented during ceremonies on Nov. 14 in Des Moines. Since 1999, the Celebrate Business and Economic Impact Awards have promoted the Greater Des Moines (DSM) business community by acknowledging innovative and enduring business initiatives.