Three O’Neill students selected for IU Indianapolis’ top 100 undergraduates

With more than 11,000 undergraduate students on the IU Indianapolis campus, choosing the top students is no easy task. Each year, the university honors 100 undergraduates for their academic excellence, community engagement, and campus leadership.

This year, the O’Neill School has three students on the list: Sukhpreet Gill, Ally Shelton-Jones, and Bridget Janney.

“I was deeply honored and grateful to be recognized among IU Indianapolis’ Top 100 undergraduates,” Gill says. “This achievement reflects the mentorship, support, and opportunities I’ve received throughout my time on campus, and it reinforces my commitment to excellence in public service, law enforcement, and cybersecurity. Knowing that my work has made an impact motivates me to continue pushing forward in my academic and professional journey.”

Janney echoed that sentiment, saying it was a significant honor for her that she was recognized by a campus she loved so much. For Shelton-Jones, it was a time to think back on her time at O’Neill.

“It was a moment of reflection—of all the long nights, the sacrifices, the challenges I had overcome to get here,” she says. “As a first-generation college student and a Black woman, this recognition meant more than just an academic achievement—it was a symbol of breaking barriers and proving that my voice, my work, and my story matter.”

Shelton-Jones, Gill, and Janney are all Criminal Justice majors—but each one plans to pursue a different path using their degrees. Shelton-Jones is working to become an advocate for those in the criminal justice system. Gill wants to work in cybersecurity. And Janney wants to become a private criminal defense attorney.

Each one also had their own reasons for pursuing their major in Indianapolis.

“I chose O’Neill because of its strong reputation in public affairs and its focus on policy-driven, real-world application,” Gill explains. “The faculty’s blend of academic expertise and field experience made O’Neill an ideal place to develop my understanding of law enforcement, national security, and public safety policy. With my combined interest in cybersecurity and criminal justice, O’Neill provided the best environment to bridge both disciplines and prepare for a career in federal service.”

Shelton-Jones—who also was named as a Top 10 undergrad for the university—says her career preparation began before she ever enrolled with O’Neill. As a high school student, she was already taking criminal justice-related classes. Then a field trip to O’Neill’s annual Public and Community Safety Career Day opened her eyes to the many career possibilities available with an O’Neill degree.

“I had an amazing experience that day,” she recalls. “I met faculty members, made connections, and got a glimpse of how O’Neill truly prepares students for real-world impact. From that day on, I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

Janney admits it was initially the scholarship opportunities that drew her to O’Neill, but she says she soon learned that while the financial support was a huge bonus, there were other things that were just as important.

“The care O’Neill puts into developing its students professionally is what makes me so grateful to be here,” she adds. “Staff like Stacy Lozer, who advised me on my semester in Washington, D.C., or Dr. Eric Grommon, who took me on as his research assistant, and Dr. Zachary Loftus who supported my Honors contracts and countless others. They are what makes O’Neill what it is.”

Janney says that support combined with the opportunities O’Neill provides is part of what has made her time at O’Neill so impactful. She currently is working on an internship in Washington, D.C., through O’Neill’s Washington Leadership Program. After that, she says she is moving to Philadelphia to attend law school.

Gill also is continuing her education, which includes plans for law school in the future. As an Accelerated Master’s Program student at O’Neill, she expects to finish her MPA in Homeland Security and Emergency Management next year before beginning another IU master’s degree program in cybersecurity and applying to law school.

But long term, Gill’s goal is to work in federal law enforcement, homeland security, or intelligence analysis. She says her time at O’Neill has helped expand her perspective on criminal justice, cybersecurity, and policy implementation.

“My experience at O’Neill has been both challenging and rewarding,” she says. “The coursework is rigorous yet applicable, and the faculty provide unparalleled support in both academics and career development. Small class sizes have allowed for engaging discussions, and I’ve built strong relationships with faculty mentors and fellow students who share my passion for public service.”