Features

UIndy receives $21.5M in grants and awards in 2020-21

September 15, 2021

The University of Indianapolis marked a record year in 2020-21 for external grants, reaching nearly $21.5 million through 25 awards. While the University has seen steady growth in awards during the past seven years, 2020-21 brought a 139-percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year. That number does not include any pandemic-related institutional or student grants received by the University from the federal government, which makes the growth all the more remarkable.

“This increase in funding is such a boon not only for the future of UIndy, but for the entire state,” said Jeanie Neal, director of the Office of Grants & Sponsored Programs UIndy. “With these funds, we’ll invest in campuswide capital improvements, expanding opportunities for faculty and students, and helping students and teachers across the state have easier access to educational resources.”

Notable awards include a total of $12.3 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, Charting the Future for Indiana’s Colleges and Universities—a three-phase initiative to help institutions across the state invest in strategic planning for their future. UIndy received $2.5 million through the second phase of the initiative, followed by $9.8 million in the third phase. The latter award will support a collaborative effort coordinated by UIndy to improve student retention through the use of data analytics.

In order to meet the evolving needs of UIndy’s student population, investing in campus facilities is a priority. A $100,000 grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation will support a significant facility upgrade and expansion that meets the Department of Art & Design’s growing needs to accommodate more students and to continue to meet the accrediting standards set by the National Association for Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Through the expansion, the Department’s space will increase by 73 percent from 15,000 square feet to 26,000.

Other large awards will go toward supporting statewide communities. This includes a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration for Community Living. These funds will go toward a 36-month partnership between the UIndy’s Center for Aging & Community and the Indiana University School of Medicine to enhance, strengthen and expand supports for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers in 34 Indiana counties.

Additionally, UIndy’s Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) received $4.8 million in two grants from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. One grant worth $3.3 million will fund devices and broadband in nine service centers and 23 school districts in rural areas across the State of Indiana. The second grant allots $1.5 million for professional development to improve educators’ capacity to provide engaging and effective online instruction. CELL will partner with the Central Indiana Education Service Center during the next two years to disburse the funds and arrange for training.

The top five awards for FY 2020-21 are:

$9,806,456 from Eli Lilly Endowment, Inc. (Charting the Future, Phase 3) Collaboration to Improve Student Retention through Data Analysis
$3,375,000 from the Indiana Department of Education (Governors Emergency Education Response [GEER] Component 1) Fund devices and broadband in nine service centers and 23 school districts in rural areas across the State of Indiana
$2,950,000 from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (INvested Program Fund) Non-STEM Dual Credit Credentialing
$2,500,000 from Eli Lilly Endowment, Inc. (Charting the Future, Phase 2) UIndy CtF Project, Implementation
$1,500,000 from the Indiana Department of Education (Governors Emergency Education Response [GEER] Component 2) Improve educators’ capacity to provide engaging and effective online instruction

Laura Wilson, associate professor of political science, accepted into Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series

September 14, 2021

Dr. Laura Wilson, associate professor of political science, was recently accepted into the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series (SKL) 45th class.

Each class year, 25 individuals are selected to participate in this highly competitive program, which seeks to expand the ranks of community leaders by teaching and motivating members to address the needs of Central Indiana.

Class members are chosen because of their significant community involvement and professional achievement; their demonstrated interest in community issues; a record of participation and achievement in voluntary community activities; and their willingness to expand their leadership role in the community.

“It really is an honor to be selected and I am thrilled to get to be a part of this year’s class,” said Wilson. “The work we do here, both on campus but also in academia more broadly, has the potential to really influence our community in a positive way. I love discussing and engaging in politics and joining this class of the Lacy Leadership Series will help me develop the skills and make the connections to have a larger impact. This program has a history of cultivating leaders within our community and I am deeply humbled and excited to connect, learn, and grow.”

Myra Selby has been named the Moderator for SKL Class XLV. She is a Partner at Ice Miller and has the distinction of being both the first woman and the first African American to serve as associate justice on the Indiana Supreme Court. Selby herself is a graduate of the program having participated in SKL Class XIII. To ensure that the series is timely and topical, each class’s moderator identifies aspects of broad economic and societal issues that are specific to Central Indiana for the class to study.

“In the current environment of challenge facing our city, strong leadership is more important than ever. We need leaders who will bring vision, cross-cultural thinking, and civic-mindedness and they will lead us toward a brighter future,” said Selby.

Rebecca Hutton, President & CEO and SKL Program Director at Leadership Indianapolis added, “When Myra and I began working together nearly two years ago to plan this class, we could not have imagined all of the events that would unfold prior to us being able to finally bring the class members together. This is an important moment in time and these incredible leaders are ready to meet this moment.”

SKL Class XLV will meet monthly from September through June. Participants will interact with local leaders, professional experts, and community decision makers to discuss a range of community issues.For more details, visit www.leadershipindianapolis.com.

2021 UIndy Engineering 3D Printing Summer Camp: Developing the Next Generation of Makers

August 25, 2021

The R. B. Annis School of Engineering and the Center for Collaborative Innovation (CCI) successfully completed the 2021 STEM summer camp with the theme; Make the Maker: UIndy Engineering 3D Printing Summer Camp.

The summer camp had nine high school student campers. The camp, which combined engineering and entrepreneurial mindset development, focused on the design, fabrication, and use of 3D printers. The pre-college participants were exposed to advanced design tools as well as digital manufacturing processes at the new Annis Hall facility. Though the camps was only scheduled to run two weeks, R.B. Annis School of Engineering faculty and staff Dr. Paul Talaga, James Emery, Dr. Megan Hammond, Dr. Joan Martinez, and Dr. David Olawale worked with the students for over three weeks because of the participants’ engagement and the organizers’ commitment for campers to go home with their operational 3D printers after the camp.

According to Dr. Paul Talaga (Camp Coordinator) the camp modeled the engineering process well. “In the real world, the answers aren’t in the back of the book. Rather than run a camp where participants used 3D printers to print trinkets, we challenged the campers to imagine, design, and build a functional 3D printer on their own. Their creativity was astounding! Each printer was unique and contained dozens of 3D printed and waterjeted parts, each having been designed by campers who went through many iterations to verify proper fit and functionality. The creativity, problem solving, CAD, 3D printing, and fabrication skills acquired will allow these campers to continue their creativity.”

Some of the feedback from the campers on key lessons learned included:

“Learned how to manage my time, utilize CAD software, and learned to persevere through challenges.”
“Better CAD skills and thinking of how to assemble a product”
“I learned a lot about CAD and problem solving.”

Due to support from the Elevate Nexus Higher Education Grant, two high schoolers from Southport High School in Indianapolis, who would not have otherwise been able, were able to participate in the camp on full scholarships. “It is important to expose our high schoolers to advanced design and manufacturing tools as well as the entrepreneurial mindset,” said David Olawale, assistant professor of engineering, “So that we may attract them to the STEM disciplines and increase their ability to solve problems that matter to our nation, irrespective of economical and social status.” The CCI works on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across UIndy and the surrounding communities.

Kenny Broberg Announced as Artist-in-Residence

June 29, 2021

The University of Indianapolis continues a rich history of the performing arts in a unique partnership with the Indianapolis-based American Pianists Association.

Kenny Broberg, the 2021 American Pianists Awards winner and Christel DeHaan Classical Fellow, will serve as the Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis for the next two years. Broberg succeeds Emmet Cohen, the 2019 American Pianists Awards winner and recipient of the Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz.

“The Artist-in-Residence program continues to provide unique opportunities that connect our students with the expertise and talent of the American Pianists Association to help them navigate from the classroom to the concert hall. I am deeply proud of this partnership that creates a space for musical exploration for the entire community,” said University of Indianapolis President Robert L. Manuel. “We are grateful for the invaluable contributions of the previous artists-in-residence, Drew Petersen and Emmet Cohen. We extend our congratulations to Kenny Broberg on his tremendous achievement and we look forward to welcoming him to campus in the fall.”

The Christel DeHaan Classical Fellowship provides Broberg with a prize valued at $200,000 designed to assist him as he builds his musical career. It includes $50,000 in cash, a recording contract with Steinway & Sons, two years of professional development and assistance and performance opportunities worldwide.

Broberg will provide lessons to multiple students, present a two-hour master class and host performances during his time on campus as the Artist-in-Residence.

President Robert L. Manuel at the American Pianists Awards competition finale, with Dr. Joel Harrison pictured right

Dr. Joel Harrison, President/CEO and Artistic Director of the American Pianists Association, added, “We have greatly appreciated the support of the University of Indianapolis and most especially that of its president, Dr. Robert Manuel. The residency offers a superb opportunity for our winner to be in a strong academic setting, working with students not too different in age from our winner. And it gives the University of Indianapolis an excellent example to put forth of how valuable an educational and artistic experience can be in developing young artists. Everyone wins through this unique collaboration.”

About Kenny Broberg
Kenny Broberg, 26, is a Minneapolis native who won the silver medal at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the 2019 bronze medal winner at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, as well as winning prizes at the Hastings, Sydney, Seattle and New Orleans International Piano Competitions. He has appeared with the Royal Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestras, among others. Recent and upcoming highlights include his debut with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra, residencies at the Montreal Symphony’s Festival Virée Classique, Rye Arts, Methow Chamber, Strings and Sunriver Music Festivals, recitals in Houston, Denver, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, and in tours of Japan, Australia and Italy. He has been featured on NPR, WQXR, APM’s Performance Today, MPR and ABC (Australia) radio. His solo debut album was released in August 2017 on the Decca Gold label. Broberg studied for nine years with Dr. Joseph Zins before entering the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with Nancy Weems in 2016. He currently resides in Parkville, Missouri, where he studies with Stanislav Ioudenitch at Park University.

About the American Pianists Association
The American Pianists Association has been supporting aspiring young artists for over 40 years and has been based in Indianapolis since 1982. It has a professional staff of seven, headed by Dr. Joel M. Harrison. The American Pianists Awards, held for both classical and jazz artists, offer significant opportunities for American pianists, ages 18-30, to advance their careers. Each winner receives a two-year fellowship, valued at over $100,000 including cash awards, fees, publicity and recording opportunities. All American Pianists Awards events are produced as public recitals and feature the finalists in a variety of settings. The organization greatly values the individual artistic sensibilities of each pianist, nurtures such individuality and does not impose any repertoire requirements during the competitions other than those necessary for the different genres. It is the intent of the American Pianists Awards to focus on artistic expression and not on competitive prowess. Further, the organization makes an effort to tailor its career assistance to suit the particular needs of the winner, offering an array of opportunities appropriate to the winner’s current career development and status. American Pianists Association strives to be the bridge between professional training and a full-fledged professional career.

www.americanpianists.org.

UIndy network helps Jacob Weisenbach ’17 ‘pay it forward’

June 24, 2021

Building community connections could well be the defining career principle for Jacob Weisenbach ’17 (M.A., educational leadership). A graduate of the University of Indianapolis’ nationally recognized iLEAD program, Weisenbach was recently honored with the Outstanding Community Partner Award from the Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement for his work at Central Catholic School, where he served as assistant principal for the past three years.

Jacob Weisenbach (M.A., educational leadership)

As Weisenbach prepares to take on a new role with Indianapolis Public Schools as a special education specialist at Arsenal Technical High School, he reflected on ways the iLEAD program prepared him for success.

“I really enjoyed the concept of the iLEAD program for its hybrid nature. I got an in-depth experience working with other dedicated educators and that cohort mentality of working together to solve problems, having actual dialogue in front of people and working to better prepare ourselves to serve our schools immediately through the program,” Weisenbach said.

Weisenbach worked at Wayne Township Schools as an inclusion teacher in special education while he completed the iLEAD program at the University of Indianapolis, then went on to serve as assistant principal at Central Catholic. In his new role, he will serve inclusion teachers at Arsenal Tech.

With the iLEAD program, Weisenbach said he was able to leverage broad experience to grow his overall leadership skills.

“It takes a great partnership between myself and the student, the school I was working at – Bridgeport Elementary – and the University, to allow for the flexibility to take on new leadership activities and even to step outside of my role as a teacher and take part in opportunities at different levels,” he said.

Weisenbach grew up close to UIndy on Brill Road near Hanna Ave., attending St. Roch Catholic Church and school. When the time came for college, he felt that the UIndy campus was a little too close to home and opted for IUPUI. After serving nine years with the Army National Guard, including tours in Baghdad and the United States, he was ready to own his calling to become a teacher. Encouraged by his wife, Natalie, also a UIndy alum, he came to appreciate the opportunities that awaited him at UIndy.

“I really found my love for that great university that was in my backyard the whole time. It was like an undiscovered treasure I knew about!” he said.

The Weisenbach name may be familiar to the Greyhound community. Jacob Weisenbach’s aunt, Lynne Weisenbach, was the first executive director of the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), serving from 2001 to 2008, and helped pen the Center’s name, which highlights the model of transformative partnerships that are reshaping education in Indiana.

“That sense of community was always there for me,” said Weisenbach. He noted that even outside of those family connections, “the University does a great job to create and cultivate these relationships.”

Weisenbach would continue to build his UIndy network while at Central Catholic, thanks to introductions by RightFit, an after-school program partnership between the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and Notre Dame ACE Academies. RightFit introduced Weisenbach to Marianna Foulkrod, director of the Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement at UIndy, leading to opportunities for UIndy students to serve in a variety of roles.

“Jacob has been exceptional in working with our students and faculty to create service-learning experiences that connect them with UIndy’s mission of education for service,” said Marianna Foulkrod. “We are excited to see where these new relationships will take us.”

Central Catholic is now an official community partner with UIndy, and Weisenbach was recently recognized for those efforts with the Outstanding Community Partner Award. He noted that having that close partnership already in place was key to navigating the challenges of the pandemic.

“Central Catholic was one of the few places striving for a safe, in-person connection even through the bumpy waters of 2020 and 2021. For students seeking the opportunity, they were able to come to us and we were able to conduct the program in a safe manner,” Weisenbach explained.

As Weisenbach steps into his new role at Arsenal Tech, he is eager to grow his connections with the Center for Service-learning & Community Engagement.

“I’m sure there will be opportunities at a larger campus, and I’m curious to see how we can expand the role of service and leadership at Tech,” he said.

Weisenbach appreciates the UIndy students who have built connections with Central Catholic. In many cases they return to become coaches, check in on the students and attend their graduations.

“The connections we make, and the time and service we build together, help to foster and create this sense of community throughout,” Weisenbach said. “The opportunity to become educational neighbors really enhances the spirit of what you’re doing. The work that we do is the business of teaching and learning, but the connections that we make are where we get our joy and fulfillment in our missions.”

UIndy observes Juneteenth with vibrant celebration

June 21, 2021

The University of Indianapolis Office of Inclusion and Equity hosted the Juneteenth 2021 Family Affair: In Solidarity earlier this week. The University joined the nation in continuing to celebrate Juneteenth, which is the oldest national commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States 156 years ago. 2021 marks the first year for the celebration and the University’s observance of Juneteenth as an official holiday.

On Thursday, June 17, the celebration featured speakers like Rev. Dr. Aleze M. Fulbright, DJs, original poetry readings, and a dance performance from the Iibada Dance Company.

The Black National Anthem was performed by Tremayne Horne, an assistant director in UIndy’s Professional Edge Center. When asked about the importance of the event, Horne said, “America comes together to celebrate what happened on July 4, 1776, but has not acknowledged that Africans and African Americans were still slaves at the time. We were not free. It was not until June 19, 1865 (89 years later) that African Americans became free. Giving honor to those that fought for freedom and allowing space to those that choose to celebrate shows that UIndy acknowledges and supports all students.”

Horne, who also helped plan the event, said he was most proud of “the young men and women that have worked so hard to make this happen and the support and freedom that [the Office of Inclusion and Equity] has given them to express themselves.”

The entire UIndy community was invited to the celebration, including alumni and friends. The event resonated with Black alumni including DyNishia Miller ‘14. Miller said, “it shows that the University values and recognizes the significance of this day and its meaning to our country and Black Americans.” She added that it feels really good “as a Black alumna” to see UIndy celebrating the holiday.

“I hope the University will continue to create inclusive spaces and provide opportunities for diverse students, faculty, staff, and alumni to thrive, be understood, and be embraced. A more diverse, inclusive, and equitable UIndy is a better UIndy for all of us,” said Miller.

The Juneteenth Family Affair also served as an educational opportunity for many members of the UIndy community. An activity book was designed by Tylyn Johnson ’22. The book was given to attendees that highlighted the history of the holiday, its importance for the Black community and how everyone can get involved.

The Office of Inclusion and Equity also hosts a podcast series titled “Juneteenth Conversations” to help encourage diversity discussions. You can listen to previous podcast episodes here. We look forward to additional events hosted by the Office of Inclusion and Equity to honor and celebrate our diverse campus and alumni community.

University of Indianapolis announces Patrick Van Fleet as new dean of Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences

June 15, 2021

The University of Indianapolis announced today that Patrick Van Fleet, Ph.D., has been appointed as the next dean of the Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences effective July 26, 2021. His announcement follows an extensive national search.

Dr. Van Fleet most recently served as professor and chair for the Department of Mathematics at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also served as director of the endowed Center for Applied Mathematics (CAM) at St. Thomas. During that time, Dr. Van Fleet was funded by the National Science Foundation on four projects totaling $1.3 million, wrote three books on wavelet theory, published several papers on wavelet theory and spline functions, and led numerous undergraduate research projects. He was a 2016 recipient of the John Ireland Presidential Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Teacher-Scholar at the University of St. Thomas.

Patrick Van Fleet, dean of the Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences

“Dr. Van Fleet comes to UIndy at a crucial time for our University, as we emerge from the pandemic and find new ways to thrive and fulfill our mission to both our students and the community,” said Dr. Mary Beth Bagg, interim provost and vice president. “I am confident that Dr. Van Fleet will continue the tradition of innovation in the Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences by not only supporting opportunities for students to develop essential skills in their areas of study, but also by fostering successful transitions to their careers or further study at the graduate level.”

“I am excited and grateful to join the University of Indianapolis and the Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences. The College’s emphasis on helping faculty combine research and classroom work through the Shaheen grants aligns closely with my teaching and learning philosophy,” said Dr. Van Fleet. “I am eager for the opportunity to lead the College and the University in reaching new goals in interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and regional workforce needs.”

Dr. Van Fleet earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics (education emphasis) from Western Illinois University and his Master of Science and PhD in mathematics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He worked at Sam Houston State University from 1992-1998, where he performed research in the emerging field of wavelet theory (funded in part by the National Science Foundation) and led a large project funded by a branch of the Department of Defense. In 1998, he became director of the endowed Center for Applied Mathematics at the University of St. Thomas and from 2011 served as chair of the Department of Mathematics.

“The Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences is thrilled to welcome Dr. Van Fleet to our community,” said Dr. Mary Moore, interim dean of the Shaheen College. “His passion for undergraduate research and connecting students with industry mentors will enhance our robust programs and expand opportunities for students and faculty alike.”

About the University of Indianapolis

The University of Indianapolis, founded in 1902, is a private university located just a few minutes from downtown Indianapolis. The University is ranked among the top National Universities by U.S. News and World Report, with a diverse enrollment of nearly 5,600 undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students. The University offers a wide variety of study areas, including 100+ undergraduate degrees, more than 40 master’s degree programs and five doctoral programs. More occupational therapists, physical therapists and clinical psychologists graduate from the University each year than any other state institution. With strong programs in engineering, business, and education, the University of Indianapolis impacts its community by living its motto, “Education for Service.” Learn more: uindy.edu.

Letters of Love and War: Robert McBride & Luella Hart

May 24, 2021

You can’t talk about Judy Bentley’s family history without also mentioning the University of Indianapolis. For starters, it’s where her parents, Robert E. McBride and Luella Hart, met during their first year at Indiana Central College in the early 1940s. Her mom and dad both worked in the school kitchen and forged a romantic connection while cleaning pots and pans together.

Bob and Luella at Indiana Central College and Washington, Ind. (lower right)

What happened next is documented in Judy’s book, 25 Sugarland Road, Letters of Love and War, 1943-1945, published by the Indiana Historical Society Press. It’s a compilation of letters that Bob and Luella wrote to each other during World War II as they interrupted their education, navigated a time of great deprivation, and started a family together.

“I have selected family letters from 1943 to the end of 1945 and narrated the necessary background and war information,” Judy explains. “The book includes their engagement picture on a bench in front of the old college administrative hall and several mentions of what is now the University of Indianapolis.”

The letters were discovered by family after Luella and Bob died, and it wasn’t until Judy read the collection years later that she realized what a special discovery they’d made.

Readers can follow along as Bob proposes to Luella in front of Good Hall in 1943, as they get married in 1944 on a three-day military leave, and as Bob receives written word from home that his wife is pregnant with their first child, Judy. Letters from Elwood (Woody) McBride, who was an outstanding basketball player at ICC, are also included in the book.

“We don’t have another story like this, with artifacts like these letters in the archives,” said Michael Cartwright, Vice President for University Mission and Associate Professor of Philosophy & Religion. “The book presents a unique view of what students were doing, thinking, and feeling during World War II.”

It’s also a story about seeing the world differently; for example, Bob left rural Indiana to visit exotic locations like London, Berlin, and Paris during his time as a military medic, writing home about experiences with people from different backgrounds than his own.

After the war, Bob and Luella returned to the ICC campus and lived in married student housing at Cummins Hall with their daughter while Bob completed two and a half years of college. After graduating in 1948, he attended seminary in Ohio, worked on his doctorate at the University of Chicago, and then returned to Indianapolis to teach philosophy and religion at Indiana Central College. (During these years, he supported the family as a minister in the Evangelical United Brethren Church.)

Judy as a child with Doug Mullen near Cummins Hall

In 1954, the McBride family moved to a house on Castle Avenue in the University Heights neighborhood, which is where Judy grew up from fourth grade through high school. She writes that it was a neighborhood where the church, school, and community all overlapped; it was also a very White, Protestant, homogeneous place.

Judy remembers roaming the area with friends, attending services at the United Methodist Church, and going to see the musical Oklahoma! on UIndy’s campus. Judy’s brothers, Ron and Steve, were fast friends with Russell Brooker, son of chemistry professor Bob Brooker, who lived down the alley from the McBrides. The McBride family also hosted events for students at their house on Castle Avenue.

“The Philosophy Club met in our home, and my mother always made good dessert for that. I sometimes listened in,” Judy said.

Meanwhile, Luella became a secretary for the Evangelical United Brethren Conference South office, working in the basement of Buxton Hall (now known as the Stierwalt Alumni House), and Bob became known as an intellectual force at ICC who encouraged students to think carefully and rigorously. Before retiring, he wrote a memoir titled A Family Affair, which can be found in the University of Indianapolis archives.

Although Judy no longer lives in central Indiana, the University of Indianapolis continues to hold a special place in her heart and in her family’s history. Her dad was an accomplished student-athlete at ICC; maybe that’s why Judy can still remember all the words to the old ICC fight song.

All royalties from sales of 25 Sugarland Road will be donated to the University of Indianapolis.

Kelsey Green ’21 ends senior year with Governor’s Fellowship

May 11, 2021

Kelsey Green ‘21 (history, psychology) recently accepted a prestigious position at the Indiana Statehouse as a Governor’s Fellow. There, she will take an active role in the statehouse, work with various state departments to achieve their annual goals, and gain firsthand experience learning how state policies are made. She hopes to use that experience to bolster her applications to doctoral programs once that posting has been completed.

UIndy 360 got to know Kelsey with this Q&A before she graduated this May:

How has UIndy prepared you for the next steps of your career?

UIndy has prepared me for the next steps in my career by challenging me academically and helping me realize my own potential. As a freshman, I wasn’t sure what my collegiate experience would entail but knew I wanted to grow both professionally and personally. In both the history and psychology departments, I’ve encountered many professors and mentors who have offered me career advice, encouraged me to take risks, and have been professionally invested in my growth. That personal mentorship is not something all students have access to and I’m very thankful I had people who supported me.

Have you had any faculty mentors?

There are so many people I would need to thank for mentoring me! This is by no means an exclusive list but I’d like to thank Dr. Mason Burns, my honors advisor, for helping me complete my honors project and teaching me everything I know about social psychology and statistics. Dr. Frantz, my capstone history professor, for helping me navigate the complex world of historical academia and challenging me as a historical writer so I could produce a fabulous essay. Dr. James Williams, my professor and honors director, for supporting me through the honors project and providing ample support for such a challenging undertaking. And also Michael Strauss, my viola teacher and mentor of 4 years, who has always believed in my musicianship even when I didn’t. I could go on, but the list would be a mile long!

Were you involved in any other extracurricular activities on or off campus?

I am so honored and humbled to have received 2nd place in the Bennett-Tinsley award. I worked very hard on that essay and feel it is one of my best pieces of work yet. More so than anything, the award has motivated me, even more, to continue developing my writing skills and continue on my academic path!

Sabrina Camargo ’21 (psychology / criminal justice / sociology)

May 7, 2021

Congratulations to the University of Indianapolis Class of 2021! Meet Sabrina, one of our outstanding seniors:

Graduation: May 2021

Major: Psychology and Criminal Justice with concentrations in clinical counseling studies (PSY) and law enforcement (CJ)

Minor: Sociology

Extracurriculars: During my second year at UIndy, a new instructor started the Sociology Club, where I became the co-social media coordinator, the secretary my 3rd year, and president during my senior year. I have been able to see the club grow from the beginning.

Future plans: I am on a 4+1 track to graduate with a MA in Applied Sociology in May 2022. I am passionate about working with the Hispanic/Latinx community and hope to find a career helping that community after graduating with my MA.

How you’ve grown at UIndy: Each program has taught me to never settle and to continue searching for answers for what may be unknown. I started out my freshman year with no interest in research, but slowly learned the power of research and its importance. It has taught me to always stay curious about the world around us.

UIndy mentors: I have been fortunate enough to have several faculty members who have guided me and helped shape me into the student and person that I am. From the Psychology Dept. Dr. Loria always went above and beyond to help me apply my interests in my work. In the Criminal Justice Dept. Dr. Biggs was always a fantastic instructor who also helped me see how my degree in criminal justice could be applied in other areas the law enforcement. However, the Sociology Dept. is really where I felt at home. Dr. Wynn, Dr. Ziff, Professor Mouser, and Dr. Miller have all helped me truly grasp my passions and how I can apply them outside of the classroom.

Favorite thing about UIndy: It has always felt like home. Carrying the Mexican Flag during the Celebration of the Flags my junior year will forever be my favorite memory of UIndy. UIndy appreciates diversity, which is why I felt at home.

Advice to incoming freshmen: Never to be afraid to nerd out. College is the time and place where you are meant to learn and pursue your passions!

Get to know more Greyhounds from the Class of 2021

1 2 3 … 21 »