Nonprofit Expo connections, internship launch political career for O’Neill alum

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A man in a suit stands next to a sign that says involve, invest, intern. Get paid, gain experience, earn academic credit, make connections. Internship opportunities. — Nathaniel Massy (BSPA’18) now works as a legislative assistance at the Indiana Statehouse. He returned to IU Indianapolis in 2024 to recruit interns during the Nonprofit Expo.

Nathaniel Massy (BSPA’18) keeps a fast pace as he walks through the halls of the Indiana Statehouse.

“Hold on, I have a senator who needs something,” he says, pausing briefly to address the critical work of the lawmakers he serves.

Indiana’s 2025 legislative session is in full swing. As a legislative assistant, that means Massy has to keep up with the hustle and bustle of the policymaking process. It can be an intense career, but it’s one he’s grateful to have found.

“I never thought I would be here,” he admits.

At the beginning of his college career, his doubts were rooted in uncertainty. He started focusing on a business path, but it wasn’t what he had hoped it would be.

It was around that same time—during the 2015–16 election cycle—that he and so many others began developing an interest in politics.

“It was the first election cycle I had really followed, and I thought there was some crazy stuff going on,” he says. “We needed to do something.”

That gave him the heading he needed—and he made the switch to O’Neill.

“It was an immediate night and day difference,” he recalls. “I felt so much more connected to the people in my classes. I was more interested in the coursework. It just felt like the right fit for me.”

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New director: Expansion plans on the horizon for IU Executive Education

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A man stands in front of a window with snow in the background. He's wearing a blue blazer, tie, and glasses. — John Courtney came on as IU Executive Education’s director during the spring semester.

As the new director of IU Executive Education, John Courtney understands the bullet points on his resume may prompt questions.

He doesn’t come from a traditional leadership, academic, or training background. Instead, he spent more than three decades working in technology sales and sales leadership for companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and HP. But after a year of semi-retirement, he wanted to do more.

“I realized retirement wasn’t in my vocabulary,” Courtney laughs.

He had experienced a lot of organizational change over the years and came away with an important lesson about leadership.

“New leaders often make changes based on their ego rather than data,” he explains. “A good leader is humble enough to come into a leadership role and know they don’t know everything. We need humble, data-driven leadership.”

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O’Neill students strengthen security in Washington, D.C.

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A woman in a read Indiana University Indianapolis sweatshirt stands in front of a window with the Indianapolis skyline in the background. — O’Neill Public Policy major Julia Hyde’s internship through the Washington Leadership Program was extended to help secure the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Photo credit: Liz Kaye, IU

Written by: Nikki Livingston

As a Washington Leadership Program participant Julia Hyde, a junior studying public policy and public safety, interned for the DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency.  She supported security plans for the presidential inauguration, developed the first district-wide Unmanned Aircraft System program, and responded to a major gas explosion that displaced 100 people.

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Leverage four key questions to elevate your organization

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Leslie Wells

Four women standing around a computer looking at documents.

Written by: Thomas D. Stucky, Ph.D.
Professor, O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis

Leaders in nonprofit or government organizations are charged with deciding where to place resources and energy to accomplish the goals of their organization. But far too often, they may end up sacrificing critical big picture planning to focus on addressing necessary day-to-day challenges.

To counter this common pitfall, organizations—and the people leading them—have an obligation to look at and learn from both the present and the past. Thriving organizations are those that build this type of self-assessment and learning into their culture.

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Exploring leadership and opportunity in Washington, D.C.: My journey with the Washington Leadership Program

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A woman in a green shirt stands in front of the U.S. Capitol. — O’Neill’s Chandler Jessup spent the fall 2024 semester living and interning in Washington, D.C.

Written by: Chandler Jessup
Management & Civic Leadership major

When I began my semester with the Washington Leadership Program, I knew it would be transformative, but I underestimated just how much it would expand my worldview and strengthen my aspirations in public service. Balancing my role as the events and communications intern at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) with coursework and networking opportunities was no small feat, but it’s been one of the most rewarding chapters of my academic journey thus far through the O’Neill School and Indiana University.

At ASPI, I contributed to events that bridged critical conversations in international policy, such as the U.S. Futures Roundtable, the FourSight Workshop co-hosted with Observer Research Foundation (ORF) America, and the Women and Space event in collaboration with the Australian Women in D.C. (AWDC) Forum. These experiences showcased the dynamic nature of policy discussions, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation across borders. One particularly memorable moment was participating in “Choir Practice” at the Australian Embassy, where members of the Australian Federal Police shared insights into their unique approaches to international security.

The Washington Leadership Program isn’t just about internships; it’s also about immersing yourself in the heartbeat of American democracy. Our cohort met with staff from Representatives Erin Houchin and André Carson’s offices, as well as staff from Senator Todd Young’s office and The White House, toured TSA headquarters and the DOJ, and discussed the intricate work of the Government Accountability Office. These interactions allowed me to see the multifaceted roles individuals play in shaping policy and governance.

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