Despite losing Amazon HQ2, Indianapolis region is still leading the new Midwest

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Leslie Wells

After more than a year of intense competition, Amazon has announced its decision for its much sought-after HQ2. Company officials announced Tuesday that they had selected two locations the company selected two locations, rather than one, and will evenly split the 50,000 jobs and its headquarters between Arlington, Virginia, and New York City.

In an unexpected announcement, Amazon also announced that Nashville will become the home of a new operations hub, bringing an additional 5,000 jobs to the city.

For more than a year, communities across North America—including the Indianapolis region—developed and presented proposals to Amazon, all vying for the $5 billion project.

IU Public Policy Institute senior analyst Drew Klacik was among the experts who assisted in developing the city’s pitch. Klacik specializes in looking at the impact and interrelated nature of economic decisions. He says the Indy region worked diligently to communicate the assets that make it competitive among a field of much larger cities.

“Indianapolis and the surrounding communities have a lot to offer for workforce development and economic opportunity, but also in terms of quality of life factors,” Klacik said. “The Indianapolis region as a whole is really redefining what it means to be a Midwestern metropolitan area. They’re leading the way on a new Midwest.”

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HobNob internship gives students Indiana Statehouse insight

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Leslie Wells

Sydnee Cseresznyes selected to serve as the 2019 HobNob Intern for the Indy Chamber of Commerce. Sydnee holding $5,000 check. — Sydnee Cseresznyes was selected to serve as the 2019 HobNob Intern for the Indy Chamber of Commerce.

O’Neill graduate student Sydnee Cseresznyes will soon have the opportunity to see the state legislature through a new lens. Cseresznyes was named the new HobNob intern for the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce on October 29. She’ll begin her new position in January and stay for the duration of the 2019 legislative session.

The internship is awarded annually to an O’Neill IUPUI graduate student who is interested in public policy, political action, and advocacy. It includes a $5,000 stipend from Cripe Architects.

Andrew Bean knows the journey upon which Cseresznyes is embarking. He was awarded the same position in 2017.

Andrew Bean served as the HobNob Intern during the 2018 legislative session

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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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