Regional campuses play a vital role in achieving our core missions

Last week I once again visited four of Indiana University’s five regional campuses, each of which has a vital role to play in achieving our three core missions: keeping students at the center of our universe, expanding our research excellence, and contributing to the state’s economic vitality and the well-being of Hoosiers. 

At IU South Bend, community and business leaders are partnering with the campus to strengthen economic and talent development in the region. One example is an internship site on campus hosted by public accounting firm Crowe LLP that makes professional development opportunities more accessible to students.

At the Gallery for Contemporary Art at IU Northwest, about 30 students shared their experiences and ideas about how we can prepare them for success. Student researchers gave project presentations focused on water quality, literature and community improvements that illustrated the critical component of research in learning.

At IU Kokomo, I joined students for the third annual LEAD professional development conference, coordinated by the Women in Business student organization and attended by nearly 200 people. I also spoke with faculty who shared innovative, high-impact practices they have integrated into their curricula. What IU Kokomo faculty do for their students beyond the classroom is amazing.

At IU Southeast, I toured the Grenadier Grab ‘n’ Go emergency food pantry, which has responded to the needs of students experiencing food insecurity. Donations from the local community and alumni allow the on-campus pantry to offer refrigerated and frozen food options in addition to non-perishable food and personal items to our students who need assistance. These efforts are ongoing to meet our students’ needs outside the classroom and show the compassion and empathy we have for our IU family. 

I’m looking forward to my IU East visit in the coming weeks when I’ll meet members of the Student Government Association and faculty senate and observe a virtual reality medical simulation that's preparing our nursing students for their future work with real patients. 

Under the leadership of current IU Kokomo Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke, who will be our first vice president for regional campuses and online education, we’ll continue to find creative ways to engage students, advance research that improves lives and spur economic development across the state.

Pamela Whitten

President
Indiana University