Faculty mentorships steer students in college and their careers

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Leslie Wells

Faculty member wearing a black O'Neill shirt stands with his arm around a former student, wearing a mauve shirt. They're in a classroom with a chalkboard behind them. — O’Neill alumna Kerri Alford (R) stands with retired faculty member Jim White, who still serves as a career mentor for her.

One person can change a student’s trajectory.

For O’Neill alum Kerri Alford, that person is retired O’Neill faculty member Jim White.

“He’s been pivotal to where I am in my life,” Kerri Alford (BSCJ’14) recalled. “There’s a lot that I owe to that man.”

Now an educator herself with Atterbury Job Corps, she points to a photo in her office—the only photo there—and recounts the many letters of recommendations, connections, guidance, and opportunities White provided to her as a student and as an alum.

“There are just so many things that have been a direct result of him being the mentor he was and still is to me,” she explained.

O’Neill IUPUI faculty members have a reputation for helping students during their time at O’Neill and beyond. That culture of support is a cornerstone of every O’Neill classroom.

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IU Executive Education takes global approach to climate change leadership

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Leslie Wells

In a classroom, Humphrey fellows listen to Executive Education's Sara Johnson speak about global leadership. — IU Executive Education Director Sara Johnson speaks to Humphrey Fellows about global leadership.

Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions. A key component to developing and delivering on those solutions is effective leadership.

While O’Neill School faculty work to solve climate challenges through research and by educating tomorrow’s leaders, IU Executive Education provides support and training to the leaders of today.

In late August, more than a dozen global leaders arrived in Indianapolis, part of the Distinguished Humphrey Fellow Program on Climate Change, run in partnership with the Environmental Resilience Institute. Participants from 14 countries were selected for the program, allowing them to exchange knowledge and diverse perspectives about climate action and leadership.

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O’Neill students gain experience helping communities become more sustainable

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Leslie Wells

Woman stands in denim jacket and green shirt, smiling outside the Soldier and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis. — O’Neill MPA candidate Grace Olsen was selected to join the McKinney Climate Fellows program for summer 2022.

Written by: Grace Olsen, O’Neill MPA Candidate

As an MPA candidate focusing on Environmental Policy and Sustainability at O’Neill IUPUI, I’m keenly aware of the social benefits of tree canopies, especially in urban environments. Trees remove pollutants from the air, alleviate stormwater flooding, and provide cool shade on sunny days. However, these benefits are not equitably shared. IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute recognizes this disparity and joined the McKinney Climate Fellowship program to simultaneously help cities and students across Indiana by providing climate action planning and urban green infrastructure (UGI) fellowships.

When I learned of the opportunity from IU, I immediately researched the program. Its website provided testimonials of other students who completed the program and praised the great experiences offered. One of the best parts of the McKinney Climate Fellowship is that not every position is the same. Some roles are more focused on local issues while others are within nonprofits. I was interested in government roles connected to climate resilience. As a result, I applied for a fellowship within local government by prioritizing roles within the resiliency cohort on my application.

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Students find mental health support at O’Neill, IUPUI

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Leslie Wells

Written by: Mary Hampo (MPA’22)

If you are facing a non-emergency mental health challenge, contact CAPS at capsindy@iupui.edu or visit 719 Indiana Ave, Suite 220. More resources are available at https://helpmeroar.iupui.edu.

Sitting down to write a public blog about mental health—specifically bipolar and major depression—is hard. The thought of looking back and reliving some of the most difficult days in the past three years sounded like a terrible idea. Honestly, I almost decided to decline the offer.

My brain and struggles are unique to me yet also very similar to many other students’ situations. A recent study from the IU Public Policy Institute found that 21% of IUPUI students had unmet mental health needs. Knowing others out there are struggling like I did made me feel like passing up this opportunity to speak about this very personal issue would simply be selfish. They need to know others are there—on campus—to support them.

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Scholarship helps O’Neill students pursuing careers in public safety

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Leslie Wells

(L-R) O’Neill students Julia Ridgway, Jasmynn Mullen, Chase Settergren, Olivia Hale, and Candace Smallwood were awarded the Jason Baker Legacy Scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year.

One of the O’Neill School’s most prominent scholarship opportunities is the Jason Baker Legacy Scholarship. The fund honors the memory of O’Neill IUPUI alumnus and Marion County Sheriff Deputy Jason Baker, who was killed in the line of duty. His parents, Jerry and Sharon Baker, established the fund in memory of their son.

To apply for the scholarships, students must be pursuing a degree in public safety.

Both Olivia Hale and Candace Smallwood were previously awarded the scholarship. For the 2022–23 academic year, three new students were named as recipients: Jasmynn Mullen, Chase Settergren, and Julia Ridgway.

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