Since 2016, the University of Iowa Athletics Department has been a model for what it means to intentionally develop student-athletes, both on and off the field. Through their innovative Hawkeye Life Program, Iowa has created a culture where community engagement, leadership, and personal development are celebrated as integral parts of the Hawkeye experience. At the heart of this effort is Helper Helper, the platform that helps Iowa seamlessly organize, track, and recognize every moment of impact.
Background: From Paperwork to Partnership
In 2016, Helper Helper was just two years old when founder Krista Clement met with Andrew Winkleman from Iowa Athletics in Iowa City. The university decided to pilot the new platform for one year, and they’ve been using it ever since.
Before Helper Helper, Iowa student-athletes were already deeply engaged in their communities, but coordinating and tracking events was cumbersome. The Helper Helper app offered a simple way for students to find opportunities that fit their schedules and for staff to track participation and impact with ease.
“Helper Helper made it easy for students to sign up and find events that fit in their schedule where they could support their local community.”
Nearly a decade later, the program’s momentum hasn’t slowed. Sustained engagement comes from Iowa’s strong culture of service, supported by coaches, administrators, and long-term community partnerships. This is all made visible through Helper Helper’s consistent platform and transparent reporting.
The Hawkeye Life Challenge: Turning Development into Action
At the core of Iowa’s student-athlete development efforts is the Hawkeye Life Program, a comprehensive life skills model that enhances the student-athlete experience and helps Hawkeyes “engage in the world around them.” The program centers around five pillars:
- Academic Success
- Community Engagement
- Health & Well-Being
- Leadership
- Career Development
To encourage participation across these pillars, Iowa created the Hawkeye Life Challenge, where student-athletes track their engagement and progress through Helper Helper. The challenge uses tiered goals (10, 25, and 50 hours) to recognize achievement and encourage steady participation throughout the year.
“The tiered goals have had a positive impact on both participation and motivation. The lower tier encourages them to get started, while the higher tiers motivate more involved student-athletes to keep going.”
Certificates are awarded each spring to student-athletes who complete their challenge levels, creating a sense of recognition and friendly competition across teams.
Beyond Service: Tracking Holistic Development
While Helper Helper began as a community engagement tool, Iowa quickly realized its potential to support broader student development. Under the leadership of Kara Park, Assistant AD for Student Development, the university expanded its use of Helper Helper to track programming across all five Hawkeye Life pillars.
By adding categories such as Academic Success, Career Development, Leadership, Health & Well-Being, and Student-Athlete Recognition, Iowa now uses Helper Helper to provide a 360° view of student-athlete engagement.
This shift has made programming more intentional and data-driven. Staff can see where student-athletes are most engaged, and where new opportunities are needed.
“Tracking across all five pillars helps our staff understand student needs and where our focus in programming should be. It also fosters a culture of well-rounded student development and skill building.”
Today, events like leadership retreats, mental health speakers, financial literacy workshops, and the Golden Herkys award show all live within Helper Helper, alongside hundreds of community service opportunities.
Collaboration Across Campus
The University of Iowa’s commitment to transparency and collaboration extends beyond athletics. Using Helper Helper’s reporting tools, Iowa shares engagement data directly with the Office of Student Engagement and Campus Programs via the university’s IT Solutions team. These insights are integrated into each student’s University of Iowa Engagement Record, providing a unified view of campus involvement.
“Sharing this information with campus helps create a consistent tracking system for our student-athletes. It has also strengthened our partnership with the Office of Student Engagement and Campus Programs.”
This collaboration ensures that student-athletes’ service and leadership contributions are recognized as part of their broader educational journey.
Service that Hits Home
Community engagement at Iowa is more than a checkbox — it’s personal. Two of the program’s most cherished partnerships are with Habitat for Humanity and the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. For many student-athletes, those relationships are defining experiences.
One powerful example is Will Ryan, a Men’s Track & Field and Cross Country athlete and former Stead Family Children’s Hospital patient. Now, as a Hawkeye, Will has dedicated over 100 hours to giving back — earning a spot on the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He also launched the “Hawks Supporting Hawks” initiative, connecting student-athletes with patients and families at the hospital and through the UI Dance Marathon.
Stories like Will’s illustrate how deeply service is embedded into the identity of Iowa Athletics.
“Visiting patients, participating in events, and joining in the wave during football games have become cherished traditions that define the Iowa student-athlete experience.” - Will Ryan, Track & Field and Cross Country Student-Athlete
The Power of Data and Storytelling
Helper Helper’s reporting features have transformed how Iowa measures and communicates its impact. The department regularly turns data into visuals and flyers that celebrate student-athlete contributions, highlight community partnerships, and identify opportunities for growth.
“We simply did not have this data at our fingertips prior to using Helper Helper.”
From showcasing volunteer totals to presenting program outcomes to campus leaders and donors, the visibility has elevated both recognition and strategy.
Results and Reflections
Since adopting Helper Helper in 2016, Iowa student-athletes have logged 68,513 hours across 2,817 athletes, a remarkable testament to sustained engagement and a shared commitment to service and growth.
For the Hawkeyes, community engagement isn’t an initiative, it’s a way of life. And with Helper Helper, it’s never been easier to track, celebrate, and expand that impact.
“Helper Helper has become an essential part of our program and is now fully integrated into our daily operations. Krista and Chelsea are amazing to work with and provide top-notch customer support.”
Key Takeaway
The University of Iowa’s long-standing partnership with Helper Helper shows what’s possible when data, community, and purpose come together. Through intentional programming, meaningful partnerships, and consistent tracking, Iowa continues to set the standard for holistic student-athlete development.