IU Southeast partners with Louisville hospital groups to strengthen health care workforce
This week saw Indiana University President Pamela Whitten join campus and community leaders to announce that IU Southeast has established a historic five-year workforce development partnership with three Louisville hospital groups. The agreement will address a regional need for more laboratory science health care positions.
Beginning in the fall, IU Southeast will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory science, training students to become medical technologists or clinical laboratory scientists. These professionals play a critical role in health care by analyzing biological samples to help diagnose and treat diseases.
“This important partnership demonstrates Indiana University’s commitment to serving Hoosiers and our Kentucky neighbors, offering students the opportunity to gain experience in a critical, growing field,” Whitten said at Wednesday’s event celebrating the new partnership. “Graduates of IU Southeast’s new degree program will go on to provide meaningful care to patients in local communities and across the globe.”
Previously, the program was offered through a consortium with Bellarmine University in Kentucky, but students will now complete the degree fully at IU Southeast.
The demand for medical laboratory scientists is steadily rising in Indiana and Kentucky. According to Lightcast labor data, job demand in this field has increased by 5.4% over the most recent four-year analysis.
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State Update
The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This Statehouse Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking that have had activity up to this point during the first three weeks of session.
Read the State Update
Federal Update
President Trump met with House and Senate leaders Wednesday in the White House to discuss Republicans’ strategy for passing a reconciliation package. Congressional leaders are still debating whether to pass a single bill or two bills.
Read the Federal Update
Economic Engagement Update
Open Campus newsletter spotlights how IU is supporting rural needs
Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement continues to attract nationwide attention as a model for how colleges and universities can address the most important needs facing their states’ rural communities.
The center, which engages IU faculty, staff and students in projects to support thriving rural communities, is featured in the latest issue of “Mile Markers,” an Open Campus newsletter about rural higher education. “How rural towns can tap their flagship” spotlights several key center-led initiatives that address, among other issues, shortages of teachers and health care workers in rural Indiana cities and towns.
As the story notes, a recent report from the center showing that 70% of counties in the Indiana Uplands region have identified access to health care as a top community need. In response, the IU School of Nursing is connecting nursing students with community members in partnership with Southern Indiana Community Health Care.
Denny Spinner is executive director of the center and former mayor of Huntingburg, Ind., which has worked with IU students on business plans for the Huntingburg Regional Airport and with IU faculty and staff on strategies to ensure the success of a new downtown park. He told “Mile Markers” that IU offers a continually fresh supply of resources to help rural communities address the myriad challenges and opportunities they face.
“We can utilize any of the disciplines here at IU,” he said. “And we'll never run out of students excited about applying their skills in a real-life setting. From health issues to technology, education, business, art, architecture, there are so many resources here for rural communities to tap into.”
Read the newsletter story
IU East business students launch real-world budget projects with cities of Richmond, Carmel
Students at Indiana University East are currently analyzing financial statements and preparing reports, which they will deliver at the end of the spring semester, for the cities of Richmond and Carmel.
Last week, Richmond Mayor Ron Oler fielded questions from members of Assistant Professor Mark Sanders’ class on governmental accounting. He also discussed a range of city needs and topics—from bonds and TIF districts to microtransit solutions to the Richmond Certified Technology Park.
Read more about the students’ project
Patents awarded to six IU innovations
The most recent patents awarded for Indiana University discoveries in the past three months from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office include a caravanning vehicle system that improves the transportation of goods, an open-chamber acoustic device that improves drug screening and a novel way to target stubborn cancer proteins.
Explore the patents
IU South Bend’s ‘Map The Gap’ participants tour hospital, explore career options
About a dozen recent high school graduates spent a recent Saturday talking with employees at Saint Joseph Health System and touring the Mishawaka hospital. Their visit was part of Indiana University South Bend’s “Map The Gap” program, designed to guide them through personal discovery, professional development and community connection during a “gap” year and to prepare them to develop a plan for future education, career and life.
“Our gappers drive by this hospital every day. They may not know what goes on inside the hospital. I think hearing about the culture and that people here love to go to work every day—I think that makes it realistic for them to think about,” said Mary Jo Sartorius, IU South Bend’s Map The Gap program manager.
Learn more about the program and recent tour
Leading the effort to train the next generation of law enforcement
Major Stephen Luce and Officer Abby Gambrell from the Indiana University Police Department appeared on this week’s Policing Matters podcast, where they shared their perspectives on university law enforcement and how to effectively leverage advanced training programs, modern technologies and personal mentorship, such as IU’s pioneering Cadet Officer Program, to foster the next generation of highly qualified police officers.
IU's Cadet Officer Program is the first program in the U.S. to allow full-time students to earn a college degree and become a certified police officer in the state of Indiana.
Download or watch the episode
IU in the News
Kelley School online MBA is No. 1 in U.S. News national online program rankings
For the fourth consecutive year, the IU Kelley School of Business’ online MBA program, Kelley Direct, has ranked No. 1 in the country, including ranking in the top five in all five specialty categories.
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Dudich appointed CFO; Morrison to take new role
Indiana University has announced two upcoming leadership transitions. Jason Dudich has been named vice president and chief financial officer effective immediately, after serving as interim in the role since July. Tom Morrison, vice president for capital planning and facilities, has accepted a new role as vice president for facilities at Duke University effective June 1.
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$3.2 million grant to advance research on benefits of low oxygen in blood stem cell treatments
Results from this study could expand the reach of advanced stem cell therapies and lead to new strategies for treating a range of blood disorders, including leukemia, anemia and genetic conditions.
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1,000th student receives immunizations through Fairbanks School, Marion County partnership
A partnership between the Marion County Public Health Department and the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health at IU Indianapolis has immunized over 1,000 students in its first few months. This milestone is part of a broader initiative providing critical health services to students, staff and community members.
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From the field to the press box, sports media students cover historic College Football Playoffs
The Hoosiers reached the playoffs for the first time since the College Football Playoff format began 10 years ago, and students from IU’s Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses were in the press box to experience history.
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