Our Team & Our Story
We Grow ACES™ began with a vision from Dr. Rob Shelby to connect the University of Evansville with the surrounding community through innovation, education, sustainability, and service. His goal was to create a program that could address real community needs while giving students meaningful, hands-on experience beyond the traditional classroom.
With support from a Lilly Endowment grant, that vision began to take shape through the acquisition of We Grow ACES' first controlled-environment growing container. What began as an innovative agriculture initiative soon developed into a broader interdisciplinary program connecting students, faculty, schools, businesses, community organizations, and local partners.
From Vision to Student-Led Enterprise
As the initiative developed, University of Evansville students Neva Verbik and Javad Dehghan became involved as We Grow ACES interns, helping turn the original concept into a functioning student-led enterprise.
Working alongside Dr. Shelby, University mentors, and community partners, Neva and Javad assumed leadership responsibilities across the development and daily operation of the program. Together, they helped build the organizational structure, partnerships, operating systems, community engagement efforts, educational opportunities, and long-term direction that continue to shape We Grow ACES today.
Vice President for Talent & Community and Chief Inclusion & Equity Officer
Dr. Rob Shelby
Dr. Rob Shelby is the visionary behind We Grow ACES™. His goal was to create a program that connects the University of Evansville with the community while addressing challenges such as food insecurity, education, sustainability, and community development.
With a background in sociology, community organization, and university leadership, Dr. Shelby helped shape We Grow ACES as more than an aeroponic growing operation. He envisioned it as a platform where business, science, education, research, and social impact work together.
A central part of his vision has been giving students meaningful responsibility and hands-on experience. Under his leadership, students have been able to help operate the enterprise, develop new ideas, build community partnerships, conduct research, and contribute directly to the program's continued growth.
Neva Verbik
Biology · University of Evansville, Class of 2027
Neva Verbik has played an important role in the organizational, operational, and community-facing development of We Grow ACES. As a We Grow ACES intern, she has helped coordinate day-to-day activities, support relationships with University and community partners, organize outreach efforts, and help maintain the structure needed for the enterprise to operate effectively.
Her work has been especially important in connecting the internal operations of the program with its external relationships. Through communication, coordination, and partnership development, Neva has helped create opportunities for community organizations, students, and University partners to become involved with We Grow ACES and its mission.
Javad Dehghan
Finance & Biology · University of Evansville, Class of 2027
Javad Dehghan has played a key leadership role in the strategic, entrepreneurial, technological, and operational development of We Grow ACES. As a We Grow ACES intern, he has focused on building systems and strategies that connect the program's business, scientific, educational, and community-impact objectives.
His work has included enterprise development, operational planning, technology integration, marketing, research collaboration, produce distribution, partnership development, and the design of new processes intended to improve efficiency and support future growth. He has also contributed to identifying challenges within the operation and developing practical solutions that strengthen how the program functions.
Javad has helped shape the broader strategy behind We Grow ACES by examining how agriculture, business, science, technology, and social impact can operate together within one enterprise. His role has included developing new ideas, evaluating opportunities for expansion, improving internal systems, and helping translate the program's long-term vision into practical initiatives.
Together, Neva and Javad have helped transform Dr. Shelby's initial vision into a growing student-led enterprise, with each contributing complementary strengths to the program's development.
One Program, Multiple Areas of Impact
Today, We Grow ACES operates across several interconnected areas.
Business & Enterprise Development
Students participate in the real operations of an aeroponic venture, gaining experience in crop planning, production, sales, marketing, finance, strategy, technology, distribution, and partnership development. The program allows students to understand how ideas are developed, tested, managed, and expanded within a working enterprise.
Community Engagement & Food Access
We Grow ACES works with community partners to support a stronger and more connected local community. The program seeks to contribute to addressing challenges related to food insecurity, access to fresh produce, sustainable food systems, and community resilience.
Education & Research
The growing container functions as a living laboratory where students, faculty members, schools, colleges, and community partners can explore research and educational opportunities involving biology, agriculture, sustainability, technology, business, food systems, and social impact.
A Classroom Beyond the Classroom
We Grow ACES was intentionally shaped to be more than a food-production operation. It also serves as an experiential learning environment where students can apply academic knowledge to real responsibilities, decisions, and challenges.
A biology student may study plant growth, crop health, nutrient systems, or environmental conditions. A business student may contribute to finance, strategy, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship, or sales. A technology-focused student may develop data systems, automation, or digital tools. Students from other disciplines can participate through research, sustainability, communications, education, design, and community engagement.
By working directly within the enterprise, students gain practical experience while contributing to a program with measurable organizational and community impact.
We Grow ACES represents the intersection of science, business, education, research, entrepreneurship, technology, and community service. From Dr. Shelby's original vision to the students, mentors, faculty members, and community partners who continue to shape it, the program demonstrates how a university and its community can work together to turn innovative ideas into practical impact.
Its mission continues with a clear purpose: to use innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and collaboration to develop stronger students, stronger communities, and more sustainable solutions.
