UIndy Faculty, Staff Provide Expert Insight to Local & National Media in April

As part of their commitment to “education for service,” faculty and staff at the University of Indianapolis share their expertise with local and national news outlets in order to keep our community informed and to introduce new perspectives on current issues.

UIndy faculty and staff were featured in the following news stories in April:

Dr. Aerin Welch,interim program director of the department of psychological sciences, highlighted the new Master of Science in Psychology degree at the University of Indianapolis that aims to address the shortage of school psychologists in the state of Indiana on WISH, WRTV and WTHR. 

Dr. Brenda Howard, co-chair of the School of Occupational Therapy and Dr. Tracy Porter, chair of the physical therapy doctorate program, were quoted in the Daily Journal after their respective programs were among the nation’s top 50 graduate programs in the U.S. News and World Report. 

Jake Berry, deputy athletic director for external operations, previewed UIndy Athletics’ Southside Saturday in a highly entertaining live interview on WXIN which featured an arm wrestling contest as well as another interview on the day of the event. 

Nathan Foley, associate professor of art and design, was featured in the Dayton Daily News after his aviation-inspired sculpture was displayed at the Rosewood Arts Center. 

Dr. Tanuja Singh sat down for a live interview with WTHR to preview the University’s inaugural AI Summit. Singh and Cyndi Carrasco, vice president and general counsel,were both interviewed for a story in Mirror Indy about the pending trademark application filed by IU Indianapolis and some of the resulting brand confusion since IUPUI split.

Dr. Larry Belcher, professor of finance, shared his expertise with WTHR about the likely effects of Indiana’s 30-day gas tax suspension. 

Coran Sigman, live mascot handler and marketing & communications manager, Grady the Greyhound and Grady II were featured guests for live interviews about ‘Adopt a Greyhound Month’ and the upcoming transition of Grady to mascot emeritus on WISH-TV as well as WXIN and Pet Pals TV.  

Carey Dahncke, executive director of the Center of Excellence in Leadership Learning, and Steve Combs, director of early college, were quoted on Your News Local after CELL recognized seven Indiana high schools as endorsed Early College High Schools. Other outlets like the Daily Journal, the Angola Herald Republican as well as WLZZ also mentioned the CELL recognition.

Gina Woodward, executive director of the Central Indiana Area Health Education Center (CIAHEC), was mentioned in a Mirror Indy article that highlighted the free Young Achievers Academy for high school students interested in exploring health care careers. She was also one of 35 members accepted into the latest U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) Academy which was recently launched by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Al Ready, head baseball coach, helped present the inaugural RJ Williams scholarship to a high school senior baseball player who will be attending UIndy in the fall as described by both WIBC as well as B105.7.

Dr. Matt Will, associate professor of finance, discussed various financial topics during several live interviews with Tony Katz on WIBC, including the economic impact of the Iran War, the April jobs report, the oil crisis and the United Arab Emirates leaving the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. He penned an OpEd advocating for laws which would require AI data centers to use recirculating water systems and generate their own power was published in the Indiana Capital Chronicle and the Daily Journal.

Vincent O. van Empeh, assistant professor of practice and director of accreditation in the School of Business, explained why credit cards which claim to be guaranteed approval aren’t truly guaranteed on WalletHub.

Dr. Christopher Moore, professor of anthropology, and Dr. Elizabeth Straub, adjunct professor of anthropology, were profiled by WTIU for their ongoing work as they dig for artifacts and try to learn more about Indiana’s doomed canal period.

Dr. Gregory Shufeldt, associate professor of political science, discussed the impact Attorney General Todd Rokita’s endorsement could have on primary races for the Indianapolis Star. 

Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, associate professor of political science, shared her expertise with WXIN as well as WGN after Gov. Mike Braun initially suspended the state’s gas sales tax. She analyzed the potential tax increase after the suspension ends, the drawbacks of extending the tax holiday, and Braun’s endorsement of pro-redistricting candidates for stories on WXIN which were then syndicated by sister stations like WTWO in Terre Haute, WEHT in Evansville and WANE in Fort Wayne. She shared her expertise after Gov. Braun announced he would likely extend the suspension for another month on WXIN. She detailed the early voting surge in primary elections to the Indiana Citizen and the Statehouse Files. She provided expert analysis about the increase of Hoosiers identifying as Christian nationalists ahead of the primary election for a story in the Indiana Citizen which was then used by other outlets like the Daily Journal and The Statehouse File. Wilson moderated a voters forum in the 5th District Democratic primary, then gave additional insight about the overall race to WTHR and the Indianapolis Star. She broke down the 7th District race for The Statehouse File and Courthouse News Service. She discussed the money poured into the Senate District 41 Republican primary race and the impact of negative political advertisements insight to the Daily Journal. She shared expert analysis about the Indianapolis mayor’s race for WFYI as well as WIBC. She served as a live in-studio guest for Indiana Week in Review on WFYI. She was interviewed by adjunct faculty member Abdul-Hakim Shabazz for his Abdul At Large show on WIBC.

Are you a UIndy faculty or staff member who was recently featured in the media? Let the Office of Communications and Marketing know at newsdesk@uindy.edu to be included in the next monthly update.