The University Relations Report
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This week, Indiana University introduced Latha Ramchand as the inaugural chancellor of IU Indianapolis and executive vice president of IU. Ramchand joins the campus at a pivotal time in its history, bringing with her the energy and vision to help launch IU Indianapolis as one of the nation’s premier urban research universities.
Ramchand comes to IU Indianapolis from the University of Missouri, where she recently served as vice chancellor and provost. At MU, she pioneered innovative approaches to improve enrollment and student success, while strengthening academic offerings and significantly expanding the university’s research enterprise. She replaces Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch, who is returning to her role as dean of the IU School of Dentistry after serving as interim chancellor.
Throughout her career, Ramchand has been passionately committed to supporting student success and to strengthening campus and community partnerships. True to form, she started her tenure on Monday meeting with IUPUI students. She also met with representatives of the faculty and staff councils.
IU President Pamela Whitten welcomed Chancellor Ramchand in an email to members of the IU Indianapolis community, writing:
“I am confident that Latha’s visionary and entrepreneurial leadership will continue to strengthen our momentum, impact and legacy of excellence as we transform IU Indianapolis into one of the nation’s foremost urban research universities.”
Read IU President Whitten’s email
Learn more about Chancellor Ramchand
Statehouse Update
The sixth week of session continued to pick up pace after the intersession break. The House has six more business days to hear Senate bills in committee and the Senate has eight more business days to hear House bills. IU State Relations anticipates significant bill movement next week as legislators negotiate which bills will continue to move through the process.
Economic Engagement Update
IU advancing safe, trustworthy AI as part of new U.S. government consortium
Indiana University is advancing the development and deployment of safe, trustworthy artificial intelligence as a member of the recently announced U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium, from the United States Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. IU joins more than 200 other companies and organizations as part of the consortium. The new initiative brings together artificial intelligence creators and users, academics, government and industry researchers, and civil society organizations to develop science-based and empirically backed guidelines and standards for AI measurement and policy, with the goal of improving AI safety across the world.
IU East launching new micro-credential programming
Indiana University East is launching an expanded micro-credential program for local corporations who want to attract, develop and promote employees. The course is launching this month; it was first offered in 2022 as a pilot program in partnership with Belden, Inc. The spring 2024 program will be in partnership with NSK Corporation, a global leader in bearings, precision machine solutions and automotive components.
Read about IU East’s pilot program with Belden
IU Athletics, Legends and IU Ventures facilitate consulting experiences for IU students
As part of the Indiana University Sports Innovation Initiative, an ongoing partnership between Indiana University Athletics and IU Ventures, Indiana University’s early-stage venture and angel investment arm, a group of honors students from IU recently participated in a consulting project with Legends, a global premium experiences company that has a multi-year partnership to provide officially licensed Indiana University merchandise in-store, at events, and online at shop.iuhoosiers.com.
IU in the News
IU Bloomington named top producer for Fulbright U.S. Student program for 2023-24
For the ninth consecutive year, IU Bloomington has been named a top producer of recipients for the Fulbright U.S. Student program. This honor, announced by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is shared with only 56 doctoral research universities in the U.S. for the 2023-24 academic year.
John Ciorciari named dean of Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies
John Ciorciari, professor of public policy at the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, has been named dean of the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at IU Bloomington, effective March 1, 2024.
From IU graduation to Terre Haute mayor’s office in 30 days
One month before taking office as mayor of Terre Haute, Brandon Sakbun graduated from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs’ online Master of Public Affairs program. His desire to serve a community that has poured so much into him is what motivated his run for mayor and his decision to choose IU to complete his education.
Wired story highlights difference-making Luddy School dementia research
For Selma Šabanović, professor of Informatics and associate dean for faculty affairs at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, and her research team, it’s about hope, about making a difference, and about finding answers to questions that once seemed as elusive as, well, talking robots that can help people living with dementia. The team’s innovative research is getting worldwide recognition, including a February story in Wired, a monthly magazine focused on emerging technologies that affect culture, the economy and politics.