UIndy Faculty, Staff Provide Expert Insight to Local & National Media in June
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 June:
Dr. John Somers, associate professor and director of graduate programs in the School of Education, discussed UIndy’s new STEM2Teach program on WTHR, the Indiana Business Journal and the Daily Journal, highlighting its role in addressing Indiana’s STEM teacher shortage.
Dr. Isabell Mills, assistant professor of kinesiology, health and sport sciences, published research in The Sport Journal examining basketball’s role in Black communities, focusing on fan engagement, cultural identity and community development through Indianapolis’ City League.
Monique Kerr, program director of the Central Indiana Area Health Education Center (CIAHEC), spoke with WISH-TV about the goals of the Young Achievers Academy, which gives high school students opportunities to explore medical careers.
Dr. Craig Seidelson, associate professor of operations and supply chain management for the school of business, explained to WalletHub why purchase protection is one of the most overlooked financial hacks available today.
Dr. Tanuja Singh expressed excitement with WTHR and the Indianapolis Star about UIndy’s move from the GLVC to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, explaining how the transition will better support student-athletes and strengthen the university’s long-term athletic success. The move was also highlighted in the Canton Repository and WLIO in Lima, Ohio.
Ted Frantz, professor and chair of the history department, participated in a panel discussion titled “America at 250 Roundtable: Executive Power from the Founding Era to Trump”, which was featured in the Legal History Blog.
Ryan Behan, associate professor and director of keyboard studies, was featured in the Greencastle Banner Graphic as a pianist in the Greencastle Summer Music Festival’s “Echoes Across Generations II” concert.
Michelle Itczak, associate professor and director of the Counseling and Art Therapy program in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and Dr. Sarah Wareham, associate professor in the School of Education, were highlighted in Noble’s blog and on WISH-TV as well as WTHR for their roles in UIndy’s art therapy partnership with Noble. The partnership provides students with hands-on clinical experience while expanding access to therapeutic services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Dr. Jon Noworyta, director of bands, was quoted by Community Connect Media for leading the Greater Greenwood Community Band’s free patriotic concert, which kicked off Greenwood’s Freedom Festival.
Dr. Elizabeth Moore, adjunct faculty member in interprofessional health & aging studies, contributed to a research article published in Taylor & Francis Online focused on group-based aquatic exercise for adolescents with Down syndrome.
Richard Floyd, adjunct faculty in the Department of Music, is a drummer for the band Blue Bergamot, which was featured in the Columbus Republic after performing at the third annual JazzIN Columbus concert series.
Dr. Rebecca Sorley, department chair and professor of music, and Dr. Laurie Williams, director of music education programs and orchestras, were both quoted in PR Newswire as well as Yahoo Finance, praising a UIndy student who was honored by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) by receiving the 2026 Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship.
Dr. Gregory Shufeldt, professor of political science, argued that partisan manipulation has made Indiana’s elections less democratic and less representative of voters in an Op-ed published by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, as well as the Daily Journal, and the Elkhart Truth.
Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, professor of political science, shared her expertise with WXIN and sister station WANE in Fort Wayne, explaining why President Trump’s executive order limiting mail-in ballots is facing several lawsuits. She also offered her insight to Indianapolis Monthly, explaining why Beau Bayh, despite his famous name, faces an uphill battle as a Democratic candidate for secretary of state, and will need to receive votes from moderate and independent voters to break a Republican-dominated election cycle in Indiana. Wilson also told the Indianapolis Star about how Jim Banks’ political strategy has helped him avoid significant opposition within the Republican Party for a story which was syndicated in places like the Evansville Courier & Press and the Times of Northwest Indiana. She served as a panelist on Indiana Week in Review, where she discussed state political developments, including education funding, Indiana’s secretary of state race, and Attorney General Todd Rokita’s lawsuit involving mifepristone. Wilson also shared her insight with the Indianapolis Star on the potential impact of Indiana’s new partisan school board elections on candidates and voters.
Dr. Matt Will, associate professor of finance, discussed various financial topics during several live interviews with Tony Katz on WIBC.
Lauri Shillings, creative director and Libertarian running for secretary of state, was mentioned in the Indianapolis Star, the Lafayette Journal & Courier, and the Star Press, which detailed her potential opponents. She was also profiled in the Greenfield Daily Reporter, where she discussed her criticisms of the two-party system and her stated goal of “restoring credibility” to the position.
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.