The Next Generation of Problem Solvers

On Friday, April 25, 2025, the Institute for Engaged Learning hosted the Student Research and Creative Activities Day. This is part of IU Indianapolis's Engaged Learning Showcase, a series of in-person and online events highlighting the types of experiential and hands-on learning experiences students have in our classrooms. The learning that this facilitates is direct, applied, and connects what we do with what our city, state, and region need.

Better and more effective solutions for Type 2 diabetes,strategies to address opioid overdose, and insights into community perceptions of health and wellness - these were just some of the topics our students studied, researched, and presented. Our students are learning by doing, and this learning sticks. 

As I spoke with several students, I learned more about the health challenges Hoosiers face. For instance, one poster described the work being done in our communities to improve health and wellbeing as the right next steps to enhancing efficiency in health care spending in our state. Our legislature deserves recognition for its recent action on the cigarette tax, which will increase revenues, reduce our deficit, and improve health outcomes for our citizens. In the same vein, the work of our students and faculty can help lawmakers consider the next steps for the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). The research proposes enhancements to HIP by eliminating POWER Account contributions, removing financial and bureaucratic barriers, and creating a more efficient version of the plan.

Walking through Room 450 at the Campus Center, it was clear that our students’ commitment to this work was more than a grade for the semester – it was about helping our community, while also thinking about the careers they wanted to pursue. Our IU Indianapolis faculty who mentor these students deserve our kudos and gratitude for the time and talent they commit and nurture.

What is remarkable is that this work is more than just a student classroom or research experience – the findings help all Hoosiers live happier and healthier.

As a public urban research university, IU Indianapolis is committed to meeting the needs of our citizens, with our students and faculty leading the way.

Go Jags!

Latha Ramchand
Chancellor