Campus Center at night taken from Cavanaugh Hall roof on Thursday July 14, 2016.
August means back to school for many Indianapolis students and their families. This month, we spoke to Margie Smith-Simmons, GIPC Member Representative and Chief of Staff for soon to be Indiana University – Indianapolis, to learn about all that is in store for the downtown campus.
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Can you share more about the upcoming transition to IU – Indianapolis?
Just over two months ago, the boards of trustees from both Indiana University and Purdue University approved a definitive agreement that formalized the realignment of their operations and gave both universities the freedom to leverage their strengths independent of one another here in Indianapolis. More than 1,000 faculty, staff, students, and community members filled the Campus Center on June 14 to be a part of that historic event. It was a true celebration.
The realignment allows us to build on IUPUI’s 54 years of accomplishments to become one of the nation’s preeminent urban research universities. To do that, though, various operational details must be worked out through careful planning and consultation with all impacted groups. As you can imagine, this realignment has an incredible number of moving parts. Working groups have been formed to address a variety of areas including admissions, enrollment, and recruitment; facilities and signage; and student services to name just a few. We are fully committed to ensuring a seamless transition for all students.
In addition to the realignment, the university recently launched a national search for the inaugural chancellor of IU Indianapolis and has partnered with Isaacson, Miller, an executive search firm, to lead the search efforts for this pivot role. As a part of the search process, listening sessions are being held with a variety of internal and external stakeholder groups – including from faculty, staff, students, and the IUPUI Board of Advisors – to provide input on the qualities and priorities of the campus’s next chancellor.
It Is truly a busy but exciting time of transition at IUPUI, which will officially become IU Indianapolis on July 1, 2024.
How will this change benefit the downtown Indianapolis community?
As we have been mapping and designing the future of our campus, we have been engaging with employers and the broader community to better understand workforce development needs and to develop programs aligned with those needs. Business leaders have expressed concern about shortages of talent, especially in the sciences, engineering, technology, and health care, as well as a need for high-end research. Companies have even reported that they’ve had to invest elsewhere as a result of the lack of trained local talent. So, in response, we are developing an optimum educational model for strengthening Indianapolis and the state of Indiana in this modern economy.
We will enhance the integration of our science programs with the School of Medicine and other allied health sciences schools and expand the number of students who will be prepared for health-science careers, which will improve the pipeline of doctors and nurses and keep more graduates in the state. We will also establish innovative collaborations in new research areas that will benefit the city and state through increased funding and resulting startups. Creation of the Science and Technology corridor, also known as the SciTech Corridor, will increase access to STEM education and be a focal point for collaboration between IU, the city of Indianapolis, and central Indiana and will complement the large and growing science and technology ecosystem in downtown Indianapolis, which includes 16 Tech Innovation District and the campuses of leading Indiana and national companies.
Additionally, we will be focusing on short-term academic programs like certificates and micro credentials (a short, competency-based recognition that allows a traditional student or adult learner to demonstrate mastery in a particular area) that will target skills that align with the job market.
But with that said, it’s important to state that the focus on science and technology doesn’t change in any way the vital importance of a well-rounded education—one that prepares students in the fundamentals of logic and reasoning, so that they are able to think clearly, analyze carefully, and work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds. And it doesn’t diminish the great strength of our health professions programs or the ways our professional schools not only train students but give back to our community.
What are you most excited about for this academic year?
Aside from the realignment, we are most excited about our students! On campus you’ll find more than 24,000 students who are studying in 17 degree-granting schools. This is an incredibly diverse group – from all but one county in the state of Indiana, from nearly every state in the nation, and from more than 140 countries around the world. Most of our incoming freshmen are Hoosiers, around a third are first generation college students, and likewise around a third are students of Color. All of this translates into a wide array of perspectives that enrich our campus culture and our classrooms. And crucially, nearly 90 percent of our alumni stay in Indiana and contribute to the state’s talent pool.
What IUPUI events can GIPC organizations look forward to?
One of our premier events is the Regatta – a half-mile canoe race relay competition in the Downtown Indianapolis Canal that involves teams of IUPUI students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The Regatta has been a symbol of unity that brings everyone together, showcases our campus pride, builds long-lasting friendships, and helps kick off a new academic school year. GIPC members can interact with Jaguar Nation by cheering on the participants as well as visiting the various booths and attractions at the accompanying festival. This year’s race and festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. But, what’s really important to note is that the Regatta is also a scholarship fundraiser. For more information on how you can contribute to the scholarship fund please email regfinan@iupui.edu.
Another premier event for campus is the Jagathon, a 15-hour dance marathon that takes place every March with the purpose of raising both funds and awareness for pediatric research. Students dance, listen to music, play games, and spend time with the kids and families they support. Jagathon is a 365-day commitment to raising money for Riley Hospital for Children. In 2023, we raised $320,032.25 and since Jagathon’s inception, we have raised more than $3.5 million for pediatric research and treatment. Jagathon also mentors four high school dance marathon programs including Westfield, Ben Davis, New Palestine, and Noblesville. For information on how you can get involved please email rennerj@iu.edu.