IU Office of Community Engagement in Indianapolis

09/01/2026

🚨 Real-world learning with community impact. This is what it looks like when students put their education to work and create opportunities to make a difference in their communities.

O'Neill Indianapolis student Taylor Byrne, grew up in Steuben County, the “home of 101 lakes.” The area is prone to severe flash flooding and other extreme weather events, which can leave residents without power for days.

Byrne saw how generous her grandmother and close family friend were to others in times of need. As a result, she pursued a career that would be of service, majoring in public safety management at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Over the summer, she interned at the Steuben County Emergency Management Department, getting disaster preparedness kits to as many homes as possible. Her project helped residents be better prepared for longer stretches of restoration and recovery.

Read more about Byrne's work: https://hey.iu.edu/ussiv

09/01/2026

Hands-on experiences can help students see where a future in healthcare can take them. Thank you to the IU School of Nursing for welcoming HOSA participants to IU Indianapolis!

08/31/2026

What happens when new managers have practical tools they can put to work right away?

Just weeks after completing the inaugural Manager Development Lab (MDL), participants are applying what they learned to communication, team dynamics, coaching, delegation, and everyday leadership decisions.

Follow-up survey results show:
🔹 89% are intentionally focusing on openness and psychological safety within their teams.
🔹 78% feel prepared to manage complex people dynamics and team challenges.
🔹 78% say the training has helped change their daily leadership decisions.

For Kiara Wood, a sales leader at SpringHill Suites Indianapolis/Westfield, the program reinforced the importance of being intentional in how she communicates and leads.

“Since completing MDL, I’ve been applying what I learned by leading with empathy, improving communication with my team, and focusing on building stronger relationships.”

Developed by the IU Indianapolis Office of Workforce and Community Engagement in partnership with Invest Hamilton County and the Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence at the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, MDL helps new and emerging managers build practical leadership skills they can apply in the workplace.

🔗 Learn more and register: https://investhamiltoncounty.com/mdl/
📖 Read the story behind the program: https://go.iu.edu/H5M6cn

08/28/2026

💈 Connecting research, community partnerships, and real-world impact.

08/21/2026

A reflection from our Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Community Engagement, Marie Mackintosh, originally shared on LinkedIn:

"This is workforce and community engagement at its best! O'Neill Indianapolis students are not watching from the sidelines. They are helping to run the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center's emergency operations, safeguard more than 850,000 visitors and respond when people need help most.

Real responsibility. Real public impact. Real preparation for what comes next.

Proud to see our students putting their education to work in the heart of Indianapolis!"

Braden Crynes is one of five IU Indianapolis interns safeguarding the Indiana State Fair. As an emergency operations intern, he helps with dispatch; relaying critical information and directing the appropriate personnel to respond as incidents are reported.

Braden’s interest in public safety was inspired by his father’s career in law enforcement in Linton, Indiana. Now, as a O'Neill Indianapolis student majoring in criminal justice with a minor in public safety management, he is making his dreams a reality.

Learn more about Braden's internship experience at the Indiana State Fair: https://hey.iu.edu/usifK

08/21/2026

🏙️ This is the power of being an urban university. Learning doesn't stop at the edge of campus. Being in the heart of Indianapolis creates opportunities for students and alumni to connect with local businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs, and ideas, and to see what's possible for their own futures.

A great example of IU Indianapolis connecting education, community, and opportunity.

“It’s just cool because you can connect with so many local businesses right by campus. It opens up your mind to the possibilities of being able to meet anybody while being in a metropolitan city.” 🏙️

From young Jag to notable Indy creator, Kelley School of Business Indianapolis alumnus Mike G made an appearance on campus recently as a featured guest for the most recent “Crafted by Kelley” networking event and fireside chat.

From reflecting on his time as a Kelley student to exploring his postgrad journey through turning content creation into a successful business, he told all about how he built his brand and gained over 300,000 Instagram followers.

🔗Learn more about this Indy creator alumnus: https://hey.iu.edu/usasK

08/21/2026

The new James T. Morris Arena will create a place for students, fans, families, alumni, and community members to come together and experience Jag basketball right here in the heart of Indianapolis.

08/14/2026

Downtown Indy is seeking community input through its 2026 Downtown Perception Survey. Whether you live, work, study, or regularly spend time Downtown, your perspective can help provide a more complete picture of how people experience Downtown Indianapolis.

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete.

Take the survey and share your perspective: https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_00YnyljwNrUucgC

Know someone else who lives, works, studies, or spends time Downtown? Share the survey with them, too!

08/13/2026

Ready to put your American history knowledge to the test? 🇺🇸🧠

Join us for Red, White, and Brainy: An America 250 Trivia Event at IU Indianapolis! Join as a team with your friends or come on your own. We'll see you there!

Calling all history buffs! 📣🇺🇸

Grab a group of friends, brush up on historic facts, and get ready for friendly competition that will put your American history knowledge to the test with Red, White and Brainy Trivia! ✍️

Building on this year’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary and hosted by IU Indianapolis, this fast-paced trivia event will bring together IU Indianapolis community members for an afternoon of brain-teasing questions, team spirit, light refreshments and prizes.

⏰1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
🗓️Monday, Aug. 31
📍Campus Center Room 450.

🔗Register today: https://hey.iu.edu/usajM

08/13/2026

Ready to strengthen your leadership skills? Three fall Manager Development Lab cohorts are now open. We're proud to partner with Invest Hamilton County to bring this practical leadership training to emerging managers across the region.