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The collaborative project with the Central Florida Zoo—co-funded by the zoo and Rollins’ Social Impact Hub—began in fall 2023. With two students graduating along the way, the team is wrapping up the work this semester.

The four students worked as research assistants: economics major Victoria Amon ’25, now a compliance business analyst with StoneX; international business major and Fulbright recipient Katherine Kim ’25, now a strategic alliance specialist with Education for Sharing; international business major Anna Stock ’27; and computer science major Zubair Zabir ’26.

The study involved meeting with the zoo’s executive team, designing a visitor survey, and recruiting volunteers to collect data on-site. In addition, the team analyzed internal operational and financial data to assess the zoo’s overall economic contribution and used Regional Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II). The project culminated in a comprehensive 100-plus-page report summarizing the zoo’s economic impact to support its efforts in pursuing external funding and governmental grants.

During summer 2025, two students—Stock and Amon—also had the opportunity to travel with Haddad and Shideler to Ireland where they presented the research at the Business & Economics Society International (B&ESI) Conference in Galway. The presentation was well received, and the group was invited to submit an article for peer-reviewed publication.

In October 2025, Zabir presented the research at the Southeastern Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (SEINFORMS) Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

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