O’Neill Student Council provides chance to connect, collaborate, and build skills

Posted on January 10, 2022 by Leslie Wells

photo grid of students with the O'Neill Student Council — The O’Neill Student Council 2021-22 Executive Team. Top row (L-R): Andrew Lawson, Elizabeth Cornejo, Zainab Adam, Bri Youn. Bottom row (L-R): Devon Taylor, Cassie Barnhill, and Mariam Elassal.

For more than two years, the O’Neill Student Council has served as the voice of O’Neill students. This semester, they’re looking for new members to take the reins for the 2022–23 academic year and beyond.

“We are truly trying to reflect what the O’Neill School looks like and what its students want,” says Cassie Barnhill, OSC’s vice president and marketing and social media coordinator.

Barnhill will earn a Media and Public Affairs degree in May. In fact, the entire OSC leadership team will all graduate this semester, leaving all 10 executive positions vacant. OSC is O’Neill IUPUI’s only undergraduate student organization.

“We know that not everyone has the time to advocate for themselves, so we try to represent them in the best way that we can,” Barnhill emphasizes.

The group advocates for O’Neill students and provides opportunities for social networking, community service and engagement, and professional development.

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Student research work opens door to help improve equity in education

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Leslie Wells

Graphic with photo of a woman with a blue tanktop on and a computer behind her. Text says O'Neill student research assistants

Written by: Nidhi Arun, PPI CRISP Research Assistant, O’Neill MPA Student

As a student research assistant for the Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, I have had the opportunity to work directly with community organizations trying to address interconnected issues that lead to societal disparities.

I wanted to take the research skills from my MPA courses and put them to work. The CRISP staff has provided me with mentoring and new opportunities as I develop my skills, build a network, and make an impact before I earn my degree in May 2022.

In 2021, my work predominately focused on projects involving inclusive growth, homelessness, and crime. However, CRISP has expanded its work in the past year to include issues such as equitable education. Working in this new space allows the CRISP team to help leaders better understand the challenges educators, schools, and students face in order to develop solutions.

After all, education is one of the greatest equalizers in society. It opens economic doors and can change a family’s social trajectory for generations. In fact, Americans who have a college degree earn higher salaries, are less likely to live in poverty, and are more civically engaged.

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Ivy Tech transfer program streamlines path to O’Neill criminal justice degree

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Leslie Wells

Woman with green spring background wearing a blue shirt. — O’Neill Criminal Justice major Amy Pierce is earning her bachelor’s degree as part of the Ivy Tech-IUPUI Transfer as Junior Program.

O’Neill Criminal Justice major Amy Pierce wants to become a lawyer.

“I’m going to law school—it’s going to happen,” she says proudly.

Just a few years ago, she wasn’t sure how she would reach that goal. She had her GED and wanted to attend IUPUI.

“I needed to get an education for me—not for anyone else—just for me,” Pierce says. “I knew if I got to IUPUI, I could connect with people who could help make things happen for me.”

But Pierce knew she wasn’t where she needed to be academically—at least not yet—so she enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College and began work on her associate degree in political science. Pierce’s plans wouldn’t stop there.

“I knew I didn’t want to wait to pursue my bachelor’s degree or retake any classes,” she says. “I wanted to go right from earning my associate degree at Ivy Tech to getting my bachelor’s degree.”

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O’Neill offers new study abroad destinations, programs

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Leslie Wells

farmer stands in field holding crops for the camera — O’Neill students can travel to Senegal and The Gambia to learn about sustainability practices as part of the school’s study abroad programs.

As global travel gets cleared for takeoff once again, O’Neill students will once again be able to pack their bags to expand their education overseas.

Applications for O’Neill’s summer 2022 study abroad programs opened December 1 and are due January 21, 2022. O’Neill IUPUI students can choose from 10 programs for their summer study abroad destinations, ranging from locations in the Caribbean to Europe to Africa.

The school has even opened a new destination to IUPUI students. For the first time, they will be able to travel to Portugal to learn about sustainable development practices. It’s one of 10 global programs that can help students enhance their education and experience in their chosen field.

Jason Sprinkle, an O’Neill alum who earned his MPA in Nonprofit Management in 2021, spent his study abroad in Denmark, delving into the nonprofit landscape on a global scale.

“Learning while immersed in another culture is not an experience many get to enjoy, and I did not take the opportunity lightly,” Sprinkle said.

“In order for our students to remain competitive in today’s workforce and the nonprofit world as a whole, they must have some international experience,” he added. “These experiences improve students’ practical and theoretical skills, expand their understanding of the world, and set them up for further success in their chosen career.”

Sprinkle also received a scholarship to help offset some of the costs of the trip. Students can apply for a scholarship at this link. Read more about each program below or or visit https://oneill.iupui.edu/student-life/study-abroad/index.html to learn more.

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Small experiences grow into big opportunities for O’Neill student

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Leslie Wells

Photo of Harper Morgan with black background and floral jacket — Harper Morgan, O’Neill Civic Leadership major and Nonprofit Management MPA candidate
Photo credit: Big Car Collaborative

The fall 2021 semester is busy for Harper Morgan. Between working in the Indianapolis arts community, pursuing both a Civic Leadership degree and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, and volunteering wherever possible, Morgan’s plate is full to be sure.

But it’s not as full as it was in spring 2021.

“I was taking 13 credit hours and had a lot of responsibility,” Morgan admits. “Ultimately, I got into the weeds for a few weeks.”

photo of harper morgan at coffee shop counter with pumpkin, bread, and jar of jelly — Harper Morgan’s volunteer work included Lincoln Lane coffee house.

The nonprofit Dat House—where Morgan had volunteered for two years—needed someone to lead their community center and coffee shop, Lincoln Lane.

Morgan said yes.

“It brought together a diverse group of people with varying needs which helped me restructure my language around what basic needs are and how to help.”

A friend’s autistic adult brother needed a live-in caretaker during the pandemic—someone the family knew and could trust.

Morgan said yes.

“It was an eye-opening experience that taught me a lot about communication and framing language around people with developmental disabilities.”

Another friend’s 13-year-old sister needed a legal guardian until she could be placed with a foster family.

Morgan said yes.

“It was hard—I really had to learn how to check in with myself, to take rest days.”

Many people would’ve taken a step back with so much on their shoulders. They might have scaled back their classes or their volunteer hours.

But Morgan said no.

“I couldn’t give up either of those outlets,” Morgan explains. “When I was volunteering, I was with people who valued the work I was doing. And my coursework was so engaging and stimulating. The deeper I got into it, the more I realized I could use what I was learning to better understand systems that were troubling or failing me and those around me.”

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