Two O’Neill students selected for IU Indianapolis Elite 50 graduate students

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A group of students stands in front of a backdrop that says Elite 50. — IU Indianapolis’ Elite 50 graduate students for 2025. O’Neill’s Halee Griffey (back, third from right) and Evren Elliott (front right) were among the recipients. *(Photo credit: Liz Kaye)*

Two O’Neill graduate students can count themselves among the cream of the crop at IU Indianapolis for 2025.

Each year, the Division of Student Affairs, IU Indianapolis Graduate School, Office of Academic Affairs, and the Graduate and Professional Student Government select 50 graduate and professional students who stand out due to their academic excellence, campus leadership, scholarly work, and community engagement.

This year, Halee Griffey and Evren Elliott made the cut.

“This was not something I was expecting at all,” Elliott admits. “I love what I do and pride myself on being a tenacious, hard worker, but I am surrounded by incredible peers throughout O’Neill.”

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Shelton-Jones named to IU Indianapolis’ Top 10 undergraduates

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A woman stands against a red tile wall, wearing a gray shirt and black sweatervest. She is holding a certificate that says Top 100. — Ally Shelton-Jones was named as part of IU Indianapolis’ Top 100 and Top 10 undergraduates.

Ally Shelton-Jones has done something no one in her family has done before. Not only is she the first to attend college and earn her degree, she also was selected as one of IU Indianapolis’ top 100 undergraduate students for 2025.

But her accolades advanced beyond that—Shelton-Jones soon learned she also was a top 10 undergrad at the university.

“I felt humbled, honored, and validated,” she adds. “This isn’t just my win; it’s a win for my family, my community, and every student who has ever doubted whether they belong in these spaces.”

She says it was a “full-circle moment” to be recognized at this level.

“My degree represents more than just coursework,” she insists. “It’s a reflection of my passion for justice, advocacy, and making a meaningful- impact in my community.”

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

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A photo grid of three women with text at the top that says 2025 Top 100

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.”

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O’Neill celebrates Student Employee Appreciation Week

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A photo grid of seven female students each standing outside. The Text says Student Employee Appreciation Week.

When you walk into the O’Neill offices in BS3025, odds are good you’ll see a student sitting behind our front desk to greet you. They’re part of the O’Neill Student Services team, helping to advise their fellow students, answer questions, plan events, and more.

These seven students are the secret weapon for the O’Neill Student Services staff. The Student Success team runs the front desk and works on projects with O’Neill staff, while peer advisors help their fellow O’Neill students chart out their courses and get connected to campus.

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O’Neill Indianapolis rises in national MPA program rankings

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A woman in a t-shirt stands on a bridge with the Indianapolis skyline behind her. Her shirt is dark gray and says O'Neill Indianapolis.

O’Neill Indianapolis’ Master of Public Affairs program has risen in the rankings among the best graduate schools in the nation. The 2025–26 U.S. News and World Report rankings revealed O’Neill Indianapolis’ MPA program now ranks No. 36 out of 268 public affairs schools across the country, climbing three spots from its 2024–25 rankings.

“At IU Indianapolis, we’re proud that the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs’ Master of Public Affairs continues to be recognized as a national leader in public affairs,” said Latha Ramchand, inaugural chancellor of IU Indianapolis. “This ranking reflects our commitment to preparing leaders who strengthen communities, shape policy, and drive progress right here in Indiana.”

O’Neill Indianapolis also maintained its No. 2 spot for its Nonprofit Management specialty ranking, second only to O’Neill Bloomington which held onto its No. 1 placement.

“We are extremely proud to see O’Neill Indianapolis climb in the rankings, and are thrilled that both campuses once again took the top two spots for Nonprofit Management,” said O’Neill School Dean Siân Mooney. “The O’Neill School’s high ranking in this and several other concentrations reflects the incredible work of our faculty and students and further demonstrates that O’Neill graduate students are well prepared to make a difference by leading for the greater good.”

In addition to its No. 2 ranking for Nonprofit Management, four other O’Neill Indianapolis MPA concentrations maintained their top 30 rankings this year:

#12 Environmental Policy and Management
#16 Urban Policy
#17 Local Government Management
#29 Public Management and Leadership

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