As the fall semester begins, the O’Neill School is welcoming more students than ever to its campuses—students who will be poised to lead and create thriving communities in the future.
Overall enrollment at O’Neill Indianapolis is up 3% from the previous year, making O’Neill one of only five schools on the Indianapolis campus to see enrollment growth from fall 2024. This fall, 574 students are part of the O’Neill community, spanning its undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs.
“Today’s students know they cannot sit on the sidelines if they want to see things change, and they want to take an active role in making a difference in their communities,” says O’Neill Indianapolis Executive Associate Dean Jeremy Carter. “They recognize they need a deeper understanding of complex topics to do that effectively and understand that O’Neill is the best place to help them gain that knowledge.”
O’Neill Indianapolis Associate Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management Suzann Lupton echoes that sentiment. She says she’s seen an increase in student interest in O’Neill’s focus on experiential learning and early career development, giving students the skills to find and land their first or next professional job.
“We continue to see students who say they want a community-focused career where they can contribute by ‘doing good,’” Lupton explains. “There is a growing desire among young people to give back and to help create a better tomorrow for everyone, and they want a diverse degree that can help them do that.”
Lupton also points to the school’s new Community and Organizational Leadership Studies degree as a pathway for many students to level up in their current or future careers. The program launched on the Indianapolis campus in fall 2024 and has seen a rise in enrollment, with 71 students working on their bachelor’s degree or certificate. Given the positive response to the program, O’Neill is working on potential expansion in the future.
“Our COLS program is a very diverse program, designed to serve students in all stages of life, whether coming directly from high school, returning to finish their degrees, or wanting to advance their careers,” Lupton adds. “Everyone can benefit from learning to lead effectively, regardless of the role or sector in which they end up working.”
O’Neill Indianapolis isn’t alone in the enrollment boom. More students also are flocking to the O’Neill School in Bloomington. Between the two campuses, more than 4,000 students are now part of the O’Neill community. The shift is something O’Neill School Dean Siân Mooney says is a clear reflection of the growing recognition of the value and impact of an O’Neill School education.
“Welcoming our largest incoming freshman class ever is not only a milestone—it’s a sign of momentum and trust in our mission to prepare future leaders,” Mooney says. “The need for evidence-based policy and strong public service has never been higher, and we’re proud to be the school students turn to for the tools to make a difference.”
