Projects supporting this theme contribute to IUPUI’s goals for student success by focusing on ways in which IUPUI can create a more welcoming campus for students and strengthen students’ sense of connectedness and belonging.
Projects and Innovators
Project description:
This mentorship program matches up to ten LGBTQ+ mentors and mentees, promoting their retention and graduation.
Project members:
- Shelly Snider, Chair, IUPUI LGBTQ+ Faculty Staff Council and Career Services Specialist, School Of Engineering and Technology (Project lead)
- Robert Smith, Assistant Director of Onboarding and Career Services, Degree Completion Office, Division of Undergraduate Education
Project description:
This project aims to create more opportunities for students to gain professional development and academic credit when employed in business units of the university; learning outcomes will be developed linked to individual school’s programs.
Project members:
- Mark Volpatti, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Auxiliary Services Administration, Division of Finance and Administration (Project lead)
Project description:
This program is designed to address the needs of students experiencing personal/social concerns, non-clinical in nature (e.g., stress, balancing priorities, homesickness, transition to college), that cause academic struggles. College Success Guides would be advanced graduate students in clinical based training programs at IUPUI (i.e., Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Art Therapy, and Counseling Education).
Project members:
- Kevin George II, Student Success Advisor, Health and Life Sciences, Academic and Career Development (Project lead)
- Julie Lash, Director, Counseling and Psychological Services, Division of Student Affairs
- Mark Minglin, Executive Director, Academic Support Programs, Division of Undergraduate Education
Project description:
This project will expand International House, developing new global learning themes becoming a co-curricular hub for activities that align with International Learning Goals.
Project members:
- Gil Latz, Associate Vice Chancellor, International Affairs (Project lead)
- Jill Jean-Baptiste, International Program Manager, Office of International Affairs (Co-lead)
Project description:
Additional funding for the mission of SAAB--Student African-American Brotherhood to support and enhance student experiences of inclusiveness of undergraduate African-American males.
Project members:
- Eric D. Williams, Program Director, Diversity, Enrichment, and Achievement, University College (Project lead)
Project description:
This project will feature health careers conference for medical students with a focus on 1st year students to expose them to the many variations of “health” careers.
Project members:
- Helen McKuras, Academic Advisor, School of Nursing (Project lead)
- Keely Floyd, Career Consultant, Health and Life Sciences Center, School of Nursing
Project description:
The IUPUI Celebration of Black Graduates is the largest signature program encompassing undergraduates, graduates, professional students, faculty, staff, campus leadership, and members of the community. The event currently draws 600 members of the community, and the Campus Center is limited to 800 guests. Funding would create an endowment account for future financial structure and planning to relocate this annual event to other venues.
Project members:
- David Heard Jr., Director, Office of Career Development, School of Liberal Arts (Project lead)
Project description:
This project would allow people to “check out” a volunteer for 20 minutes to engage in informal conversation with coffee and snacks. Meet individuals unlike yourself and establish cross cultural connections. This interaction encourages participants to recognize and address their own stereotypes, prejudices, or general curiosities about diverse individuals and communities.
Project members:
- Andrea Copeland, Associate Professor, School of Informatics and Computing (Project lead)
- Stefany Boleyn, Student, School of Informatics and Computing (Co-lead)
- Rebecca Denne, Student, School of Informatics and Computing (Co-lead)
- Travis Faas, Lecturer, School of Informatics and Computing (Co-lead)
- Lauren Freeman, Student, School of Informatics and Computing (Co-lead)
- Gina Sanchez Gibau, Associate Professor, School of Liberal Arts (Co-lead)
- C. Thomas Lewis, Lecturer, School of Informatics and Computing (Co-lead)
- Shelby Phelps, Graduate, SOIC / Indianapolis Public Library (Co-lead)
- Caitlin Pollock, Digital Humanities Librarian, IUPUI University Library (Co-lead)
- Samuel Russell, Graduate, School of Informatics and Computing (Co-lead)
- Steven Thompson, Technology Coordinator, School of Informatics and Computing (Co-lead)
Project description:
This project will integrate IUPUI Intergroup Dialogue into the academic curriculum, creating a more inclusive environment through communication and gaining skills/expertise in civil discourse, intercultural communication, conflict resolution, and leadership. Participants will include students, staff, faculty and campus leaders.
Project members:
- Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, BSW Program Director, Associate Professor, ;School of Social Work (Project lead)
- Daniel Griffith, Conflict Resolution and Dialogue Programs, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Co-lead)
- Corinne Renguette, Assistant Professor, Technical Communication, School of Engineering and Technology (Co-lead)
- Ron Sandwina, General Studies Program Director, School of Liberal Arts
- Kim White-Mills, Communications, School of Liberal Arts (Co-lead)
- Tamra Wright, Director, Division of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, School of Public and Environmental Affairs (Co-lead)
Project description:
This project specifically aims to welcome low income and first-generation students, providing a welcome day and welcome apps. It will also include a faculty/staff professional development program, programs to improve customer service across campus, and training for student mentors and welcoming team.
Project members:
- Godwin Charles Ogbeide, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, Convention & Event Management, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management (Project lead)
- Lisa Angermeier, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management
- Amanda Cecil, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management
- Andrea Engler, Executive Director, Student Transitions and Mentor Initiatives, Division of Undergraduate Education
