The First Generation

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Leslie Wells

Being the first in the family to attend college can be a challenging path to travel. Without an experienced family member to guide them through the process, many first-generation students may feel lost or overwhelmed by the campus experience. But SPEA’s faculty and staff understand the obstacles first-gen students face because many were once in the same position.

SPEA assistant professor Adam Eckerd is one of those. He shared details about his own experience as a first-gen student and advice for students blazing the trail for their families.

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Travel scholarship makes a world of difference for first-generation students

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Leslie Wells

SPEA students studying abroad standing in a plaza in Venice. — SPEA Abroad students, including Elias Rebollar (right), visit Venice.

Studying abroad may be a priceless experience, but it often comes with a high cost.

“I love traveling but it’s expensive, especially as a student,” says Kari Parmeter, a SPEA Indianapolis public safety management major.

Course costs, plane tickets, lodging, and other expenses can put these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities out of reach for many students. But the SPEA IUPUI International Travel Scholarship can help bridge the financial gap, especially for underrepresented students.

Kari Parmeter visits Tel Aviv during her SPEA Abroad program in Israel.

For first-gen students who are already blazing their own trail through higher education, the scholarship allows them another opportunity to see their field of interest through a different lens, gain a deeper understanding of other cultures, and see how their work can extend across borders.

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New name announced for PPI research center

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Brad Ray

As the director for the Center for Criminal Justice Research, I am excited to announce that it is now the Center for Health & Justice Research (CHJR). The center still operates within the Indiana University Public Policy Institute (PPI) and remains committed to conducting rigorous community-engaged research.

Make no mistake, this change in name does not mean a change in our mission. On the contrary, we hope the new name better reflects the work done at the center. While our research focus—as well as the general mission of PPI—has gone through several changes, we still conduct research within the criminal justice system and with numerous partners throughout this system. In fact, Dr. Evan Lowder, Dr. Eric Grommon, and I are working with the Indiana Office of Court Services on a National Institute of Justice-funded study of a pretrial risk assessment pilot to reduce incarceration and recidivism rates.

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SPEA’s Cali Curley weighs in on energy efficiency for homeowners

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Leslie Wells

A recent Wallethub article—”Most & Least Energy-Efficient States“—reports that Indiana ranked 30th out of 48 states when it comes to auto- and home energy consumption. As the Hoosier State falls among the least energy efficient states in the country, individuals can take steps to improve energy efficiency in their own homes. SPEA assistant professor Cali Curley says there are steps homeowners can take to help save the planet and save themselves money at the same time. Curley weighed in on three key questions during the article:

Q: What energy efficient products for the home offer the best ROI?

A: “Each home is different and faces a variety of reasons for energy loss. While statistics can speak to average estimates regarding return on investment, an in-home energy auditor could likely evaluate that on an individual basis and provide a tailored plan to bolster ROI for homeowners.”

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Managers as coaches

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Leslie Wells

For more than 25 years, Indiana University Executive Education has partnered with the Indiana Hospital Association to conduct the IHA Management Institute, specifically designed for managers in IHA-member health care organizations.

During the 6-month-long course, participants learn how to effectively communicate with and manage a diverse team made up of varying generations and work styles, and lead their employees toward excellence.

Those who successfully complete 9 of the 10 courses will qualify for the Healthcare Manager Certificate. Institute sessions include discussions on:

Management style and listening practices
Building successful teams
Managing in a changing work environment
The art of successful interviewing
Managing time and stress on the job
Building employee success
Critical human resources practices
Financial management
Conflict resolution and dealing with difficult people
Becoming a ‘star’ performer

Mary Anna Weber, president of Angotti Weber and Associates, serves as a faculty member for the Institute and leads the course on building employee success through coaching. As part of that class, Weber collaborated with Stephanie Wood, a 17-year veteran of Community Health Network who now works as an executive coach, to discuss some of the challenges managers encounter when it comes to coaching.

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