IU economists chart prosperous path to Indiana’s future
When in need of a quick statistic about the state of Indiana, Mark Russell of the Indianapolis Urban League heads upstairs to check in with economists at the Indiana Business Research Center, part of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
The Urban League is on the northeast edge of the IU Indianapolis campus, in the same building where the center’s Indianapolis offices and Director Carol Rogers are located.
“The IBRC is right on the second floor of our three-story headquarters in Indianapolis,” said Russell, director of advocacy and family services at the Urban League. “We have regular interaction with Carol and her staff in support of our programs.”
Executive Director Phil Powell said the close collaboration between the organizations is emblematic of the Indiana Business Research Center’s mission to provide data-driven economic insights to the people of Indiana and beyond.
“For nearly 100 years, we’ve been bringing faculty together to offer business and government leaders guidance on where the economy of the nation, state and city are headed,” said Powell, a clinical associate professor of business economics and public policy at the IU Kelley School in Bloomington, where the center also has offices.
The center, which was created in 1925, hosted 11 “Futurecast” events last fall in collaboration with IU regional campuses and local business advocacy organizations. The events attracted over 1,400 attendees in communities such as Bloomington, Indianapolis, South Bend, Richmond, Columbus and New Albany.
“We see members of the General Assembly, mayors, business and nonprofit leaders … they’re coming to us to understand where the economy has been and where it’s going, and they’re going back to their organizations to make decisions based upon these insights,” Powell said.
Read the full story
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 and that moved during the fifth week of session. The House Ways and Means Committee took public testimony on the Governor’s proposed budget yesterday, so we are getting closer to seeing the House’s proposed budget before the House committee report deadline of Feb. 17th.
Read the State Update
Federal Update
This week’s Federal Update covers Congressional and Executive Branchactivities of interest in Washington, D.C.
Read the Federal Update
Economic Engagement Update
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship takes shape at IU South Bend
A new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which will open this fall at Indiana University South Bend, will provide space on campus to bring together faculty, students and community entrepreneurs.
While the space is under construction, what will happen inside is already becoming a reality. Several students are part of a new Entrepreneurship Student Ambassadors Program and others are piloting a Certificate in Entrepreneurship program, which is free and open to students of any major.
“The response from students in our pilot programs has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed enthusiasm about the hands-on opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills and connect with mentors,” said IU South Bend Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Modupe Adeoye.
Discover more about the new center and entrepreneurship programs
IU CREATE director spearheads research of microelectronics for harsh environments
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, Daniel Loveless delves into the challenges and innovations of using emerging microelectronics technologies in extreme environments, driving advancements in optimization and long-term performance.
Loveless is an associate professor of intelligent systems engineering at the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering and director of IU CREATE—the Center for Reliable and Trusted Electronics. In a recent Q&A for IU’s “Research Impact” series, he discusses his current research focus and how IU CREATE is working to protect electronics in space from radiation and extreme temperatures, while also providing insights to improve the design of commercial technologies that are used in phones, cars and computers.
Read the Q&A
Nurturing northwest Indiana’s entrepreneurial spirit
For Ruhani Sharma, closing her local restaurant was the start of something great. Now, she’s turning her experience into a learning opportunity for countless entrepreneurs in northwest Indiana.
An accomplished Indiana University Northwest MBA alumna, she now serves as the assistant director of the IU Northwest Business Academy, a vital campus-community resource dedicated to empowering local entrepreneurs and start-ups with the tools they need to thrive. This includes dynamic workshops, expert-led clinics, engaging speaker series and a wealth of additional support.
“In my role, I have the opportunity to help guide fellow entrepreneurs, whether it’s turning an idea into a business, or providing counsel to existing business owners,” Sharma said. “It’s exciting and a true honor to be a part of someone’s dream.”
Learn more about how the Business Academy is helping business owners of all levels in northwest Indiana
IU in the News
Before the Super Bowl, the Big Data Bowl: IU Indianapolis students tackle NFL analytics challenge
Long before the Chiefs and the Eagles battle it out in Super Bowl LIX, IU Indianapolis students studying sports analytics teamed up to compete in a bowl of their own—the NFL Big Data Bowl.
Read the full story
Celebrating Black History Month at IU
February is a time of reflection and celebration at Indiana University as it honors Black History Month. This annual observance includes events and programming designed to honor the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans in the nation’s history.
Read the full story
IU earns ‘Seal of Prevention’ for its leadership in student safety and wellness
Over the past few years, Indiana University has committed significant time and effort across all campuses to improve mental health, safety and security, sexual violence prevention, alcohol and drug education, and student engagement. These efforts earned IU the 2024 Seal of Prevention from the Campus Prevention Network. The distinction, announced Jan. 24, recognizes higher education institutions that have demonstrated leadership in student safety and wellness.
Read the full story
