IUPUI has long been a national leader in assessment and evaluation of student learning and in the use of evidence-based decision-making to guide the development of academic programs and initiatives. Led by the Office of Planning and Institutional Improvement, campus use of these best practices has contributed to the development of our first-year experience programs, increased retention and graduation rates, and numerous other improvements. Now IUPUI’s success in “Building a Culture of Evidence to Improve Learning” has been recognized by the National Consortium for Continuous Improvement in its 2008 inaugural “Leveraging Excellence” competition. The competition honors “initiatives that have resulted in significant impact on quality, efficiency, service, or learning.”
The IUPUI Campus Center, part of the original vision for the university when it was created 40 years ago, opened for business in early 2008. A collaboration among the Division of Student Life, Finance and Administration, and many other campus offices and organizations, the center provides a home away from home for IUPUI’s commuting students. It includes spaces for study, dining, meetings, and events and houses the Admissions Center, Campus and Community Life, Student Financial Services, and other student service offices. The spectacular building, designed by SmithGroup, Inc., received the Maryland State Component of the American Institute of Architects Award for Excellence in Design in September 2008.
The Bepko Scholars and Fellows Program graduated its first full cohort of undergraduates. The program provides full tuition and fees for four years of study at IUPUI to academically outstanding students, who also receive intensive preparation for graduate study and engage in community service. Scholars who remain at IUPUI for graduate or professional study receive an annual stipend. Among the ten graduates to date, seven have enrolled in graduate and professional programs at IUPUI in medicine, law, science, engineering, and the liberal arts, two are pursuing doctorates at Harvard and the University of Michigan, and one holds a research appointment at the University of Chicago Hospitals.
The Cox Scholars Program funds academically outstanding sophomores, juniors, and seniors who demonstrate strong motivation to succeed by working part-time to fund their education. The program is the largest IU scholarship initiative based on these criteria. Established by Jesse and Beulah Cox, the program provides 75 percent of expenses to scholars, who must provide the remaining 25 percent through employment. In Spring 2008, the Cox Scholars at IUPUI graduated nine scholars, the largest class since the program’s inception. Beginning with seven students in 2005, the Cox Scholars at IUPUI will grow to approximately 21 students each year, thanks to the gift from the Cox estate.
The RISE to the Challenge Initiative, a component of IUPUI’s new Academic Plan, will increase experiential learning opportunities for IUPUI undergraduates and take advantage of IUPUI’s urban learning environment. With leadership from the Office of Academic Affairs, schools and departments across IUPUI are expanding programs and initiatives in the RISE areas of undergraduate research, international learning, service learning, and other experiential learning, including internships, practica, and field work. RISE is aligned with skills employers seek in new graduates. The goal is to enable every IUPUI graduate to participate in at least two RISE experiences by graduation.
