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Office of Community Engagement IU Indianapolis

IU Indianapolis and Still Waters Adult Day Center: A growing partnership centered on care, learning, and community impact

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Still Waters adult day center logoStill Waters Adult Day Center, a nonprofit serving elderly adults in Indianapolis, has built a thriving partnership with Indiana University Indianapolis grounded in creativity, innovation, and compassion. What began as a single intern placement from the Herron School of Art and Design has blossomed into a multi-faceted collaboration supporting research, experiential learning, and enhanced senior care.

Diana Keely, executive director of Still Waters.

“Our mission is to support families by offering a safe and engaging environment for their loved ones during the day, enabling them to age in place rather than move into long-term care facilities,” said Diana Keely, executive director of Still Waters. “We serve seniors aged 55 and older, providing social, emotional, and physical support through programs that encourage cognitive engagement, physical activity, and community connection.”

That mission aligns with the work of IU Indianapolis students and faculty, who bring fresh ideas and insight to the center through semester-long internships, service-learning projects, and collaborative initiatives.

Building a strong foundation through art

Lauren Dougherty, visiting clinical assistant professor at the Herron School of Art and Design at IU Indianapolis.

The partnership began with an art therapy intern from the Herron School of Art and Design. Each year, Still Waters welcomes an art therapy intern who facilitates engaging, hands-on sessions designed to foster self-expression, emotional well-being, and cognitive stimulation.

This fall, they will welcome their third intern, supported by visiting clinical assistant professor Lauren Dougherty.

Art therapy intern and IU Indianapolis student Abby Emerson, pictured wearing a gray headband, works with guests at Still Waters. “Our art therapy intern from Herron brought creativity and connection to our guests,” said Keely. “These guided sessions enhance memory, communication, and emotional expression.”

Art therapy intern and IU Indianapolis student Abby Emerson, wearing a blue head scarf, engages with guests at Still Waters.

Expanding through internships and innovation

Still Waters is in its second year of receiving an Internship Grant through the Office of Community Engagement. This funding supports student placements at central Indiana nonprofits like Still Waters, Shepherd Community Center, and Use What You’ve Got Prison Ministry.

JoAnne Whelan, director of the MS in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Program, School of Health & Human Sciences at IU Indianapolis

“Our partnership with IU Indianapolis opened new doors,” said Keely. “After hosting an art therapy intern, we connected with additional programs and schools at the university, including the Nutrition & Dietetics Internship Program at the School of Health & Human Sciences and interns and faculty from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.”

Dietetic students recently visited Still Waters, preparing healthy snacks and leading interactive sessions on nutrition for older adults. The effort was supported by JoAnne Whelan, director of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Program and clinical assistant professor in the School of Health & Human Sciences.

A dietetic intern from IU Indianapolis delivers an engaging nutrition presentation tailored to aging adults.

“This partnership educated and empowered our seniors while giving students real-world experience,” Keely noted.

Dietetic interns from IU Indianapolis prepare healthy snacks and deliver an engaging nutrition presentation tailored to aging adults.
Dr. Hee-Tae Jung, assistant professor in health informatics, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at IU Indianapolis

From the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, student interns have contributed cutting-edge support by developing a homecare information system. Additionally, Dr. Hee-Tae Jung, assistant professor in health informatics, has led innovative research initiatives to advance caregiving technology.

“He’s developing a virtual reality tool to help caregivers experience the world through the eyes of someone with dementia,” said Keely. “It’s truly groundbreaking technology.”

Student interns from IU Indianapolis Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering collaborate with Still Waters’ staff, enhancing care coordination through technology.

Supporting caregivers and enhancing community engagement

The center not only supports guests but also provides crucial respite for family caregivers. Still Waters is a Level 2 licensed adult day center, meaning it offers both medical and social support services from trained professionals, including RNs and LPNs.

“Most of our guests have dementia,” said Keely. “Our services allow spouses and adult children to work or rest, knowing their loved one is safe, engaged, and well cared for.”

Interns also play a vital role in community outreach. A public relations and marketing intern supported by the Internship Grant helped organize the Senior Expo, an event that welcomed more than 200 attendees and 65 community partners to connect seniors with local resources and services.

A public relations and marketing intern from IU Indianapolis supports community outreach efforts during the Still Waters Senior Expo.
Sophia Wang, MD, associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine

“We’re also fortunate to work with Dr. Sophia Wang, MD, associate professor of clinical psychiatry from the IU School of Medicine,” said Keely. “She and her students lead quarterly seminars for families and caregivers on topics like medication management and dementia care, which we open to the broader community.”

Best practices and lasting impact

Keely emphasizes the value of interactive, real-world experiences for both students and seniors. “One of our goals is to expose students, especially those who’ve only worked with children, to the senior population and those with dementia. It’s eye-opening and deeply meaningful.”

Through this partnership, Still Waters has identified several key best practices:

  • Create hands-on, meaningful experiences for both students and seniors
  • Set clear expectations for internship roles
  • Build strong relationships with faculty for long-term sustainability

The impact has been significant: seniors benefit from expanded programs, intergenerational learning, and enriched services, while students gain professional experience, a deeper understanding of aging and caregiving, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults.

“Our partnership with IU Indianapolis continues to grow, and we’re so excited about what’s ahead,” said Keely. “By working together, we’re building a better future for both our seniors and our students.”

This collaboration is part of IU Indianapolis’ broader commitment to meaningful community engagement, and it’s strengthening communities across Indianapolis.

Want to Get Involved?

IU Indianapolis students interested in interning at Still Waters or community members who want to support the center’s mission can learn more by visiting Still Waters Adult Day Center’s website.

Subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website to stay informed about the Office of Community Engagement and how the campus engages with the community.

Engage Today. Impact Tomorrow. Recapping the 2025 IU Statewide Community Engagement Institute

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Melissa Fry (IU Southeast), center, and Sheila Snyder (IU South Bend), far right, speak about ‘Impactful Partnerships: How We All Benefit’ during the IU Statewide Community Engagement Institute, alongside moderator Andrea Copeland (IU Indianapolis), left. (Photo by: Jeni Waters, Indiana University)

Faculty, staff, and students from across Indiana University campuses gathered at the IU Bloomington campus for the 2025 IU Statewide Community Engagement Institute, a full day dedicated to building stronger partnerships, sharing innovative practices, and deepening community-engaged work across the state.

Hosted by the IU Center for Rural Engagement and the IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement, the event featured a dynamic lineup of speakers, panelists, and interactive sessions designed to foster collaboration and impact.

Keynote speaker Andrew Furco, Director of the International Center for Research on Community Engagement and former Associate Vice President for Public Engagement at the University of Minnesota, opened the day with a powerful message on the importance of institutionalizing community engagement across R1 and regional campuses. Drawing from the University of Minnesota’s experience since 2002, he shared actionable strategies to strengthen similar efforts at other institutions.

Andrew Furco presenting the keynote address. (Photo by: Jeni Waters, Indiana University)

Panels of IU staff and community partners shared real-world examples of community-engaged partnerships, highlighting lessons learned and opportunities for future growth.

A panel of community partners share insights from their university–community collaborations during the IU Statewide Community Engagement Institute’s session, “Grounded in Community: Insights from Partners on Collaborative Impact.” (Photo by: Jeni Waters, Indiana University)

A poster session showcased diverse community-based projects from IU campuses, celebrating the breadth and depth of engagement work happening across Indiana.

A presenter shares insights on their work during the poster session at the IU Statewide Community Engagement Institute. (Photo by: Jeni Waters, Indiana University)

Attendees participated in the interactive session, ‘Cultivating Collaboration,’ aimed at identifying ways to enhance collaboration within the university, with community partners, and across the state.

Attendees presenting ideas on strategies to strengthen community engagement in interactive session. (Photo by: Jeni Waters, Indiana University)
Attendees collaborating on strategies to strengthen community engagement in interactive session. (Photo by: Jeni Waters, Indiana University)

The day concluded with closing remarks by E. Scott Lee, Chair of Criminal Justice and Political Science at IU East.

This year’s theme, Engage Today. Impact Tomorrow., captured the spirit of the day and the collective commitment to long-term impact through meaningful partnerships.

Photos and highlights: View photo gallery

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s event a success!

Spring 2025 IU Statewide Community Engagement Institute: Collaboration Across IU Campuses

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IU students participating in community-engaged work in rural Indiana

The IU Center for Rural Engagement and the IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement invite Indiana University faculty, staff, and students who are involved in community-engaged work, to participate in the Spring 2025 IU Statewide Community Engagement Institute. Formerly known as the IU Community Engagement Unconference, this day-long event will take place on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union on the IU Bloomington campus. A continental breakfast will be served at 8:15 a.m.

Faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited to submit posters to present at the Institute that share their stories of community engagement by February 15, 2025.

A Participant-Driven Conference

Todd Burkhardt, director of campus partnerships at the IU Center for Rural Engagement

Now in its third year, this participant-driven conference brings together representatives from all IU campuses to share best practices, explore collaborative opportunities, and strengthen IU’s community engagement networks. With a focus on interdisciplinary work, student opportunities, and service to the state, the Institute highlights the importance of multi-campus and community collaborations to advance university goals as well as address pressing community issues.

The Institute will feature Andrew Furco, former University of Minnesota associate vice president for public engagement, presenting a keynote address on The Importance of Community Engagement for R1 and Regional Campuses.

“Our goals for the Institute are to express the significance and value of community engagement and to support and strengthen our IU networks that facilitate community engagement work via research, creative activity, teaching, service, and public scholarship,” said Todd Burkhardt, PhD, director of campus partnerships at the Center for Rural Engagement.

Cover page of ENGAGE! Journal, Vol. 5 No. 3 (2024): IU Community Engagement Conference Proceedings

The second annual conference, “IU Community Engagement Unconference: Better Together,” was highlighted in a special issue of ENGAGE!, IU Indianapolis’ first journal dedicated to community-engaged and community-based participatory research. This issue showcased reflections from IU faculty, staff, and students on diverse community-engaged research topics featured at the 2024 conference. This year’s Institute builds on that momentum, inviting attendees to deepen their connections and broaden their impact.

Burkhardt said, “Each year, this conference builds on the discussions and learnings from our previous sessions, continuing the conversation, strengthening relationships, and sharing best practices.”

Who Should Attend?

Participants engaging in conversation at the 2024 IU Community Engagement Unconference: Better Together

The Institute welcomes university leadership, faculty, staff, and students interested in advancing community-engaged research, creative activity, scholarship, and teaching. Attendees will have opportunities to network with colleagues, share ideas, and lay the foundation for multi-campus community engagement projects. “This conference is for leadership, faculty, staff, and students who recognize the importance of working with the community. It’s deeply rooted in collaboration, trust, authenticity, and a desire to serve something larger than oneself,” said Burkhardt.

“Community engagement work overlays across all three pillars of the IU 2030 Strategic Plan: student success, transformative research, and service to the state,” said Burkhardt.

Participants engaging in an activity at the 2024 IU Community Engagement Unconference: Better Together

Conference Takeways

Burkhardt hopes attendees take away “the larger picture of how we are better together. The power of relationships, trust, and transformative partnerships facilitates creativity, innovation, cultural humility, civic engagement, and impactful work.”

Call for Posters

Are you leading a community-engaged project? Showcase your work during the conference’s poster session! Faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited to submit their posters by February 15, 2025, to share their stories of community engagement.

Registration and Logistics

  • Fee: $10 for faculty and staff; free for students
  • Travel Support: Parking validation for participants and mileage reimbursement scholarships for students are available for participants traveling from other IU campuses. Students are invited to contact ajanke@iu.edu to learn more about scholarships.
  • Overnight Accommodations: A discounted room block is available at the Indiana Memorial Union Biddle Hotel. Reserve your room.

Register and see the full agenda for the Spring 2025 IU Statewide Community Engagement Institute. For additional information, contact ajanke@iu.edu.

Season of Giving program nearly doubles number of community members reached this year

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The holiday spirit was strong at IU Indianapolis this year, as members of the IU community—from faculty and staff to students, alumni, retirees, and friends of the Indiana University family— came together to help 233 community members have a more joyous holiday through the 2024 Season of Giving program, sponsored by the IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement. This year’s program reached new heights, nearly doubling the number of community members supported compared to the previous year.

For over 27 years, IU Indianapolis has been committed to helping families in the local community during the holidays, and this year’s program, in partnership with the Hawthorne Community Center and Christamore House, was a testament to the generosity and dedication of the IU community. For committee member Jill Ward, the sight of the gifts was deeply emotional. “It gave me the goosebumps – AGAIN!!,” she said.  Teresa Francis, another committee member, shared her awe, “The site was amazing to walk into—the room full of gifts!”

The Season of Giving pairs sponsors with families in need, providing gifts such as toys, clothing, and household items to make their holiday season brighter. This outpouring of generosity from the IU family—faculty, staff, students, alumni, retirees, and friends—helped 233 children and parents from 63 families. The strong participation this year has given the committee confidence that in 2025 they will reach 100 families.

Season of Giving committee members (left to right): Richard Bray, Jill Ward, Virginia Washington, and Cindy Harkness.

The program’s success was driven by 51 teams from IU Indianapolis, IU School of Medicine, IU Health, and Riley Children’s Hospital, whose efforts exceeded expectations. Gifts were collected and delivered to the community centers on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Cindy Harkness, a committee member, was moved by the generosity displayed. “Two trucks full of gifts for families in need—it was a simply beautiful day, and I am honored to work and be among this amazing committee!” she said.

Volunteers from the Laboratory Animal Resources Center (LARC) bringing in wrapped gifts from a sponsor’s car.

Richard Bray, Community Partnerships Manager in the IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement and Season of Giving program manager, also reflected on the impact, “It was an amazing sight to see.” Bray expressed his gratitude to all involved, including volunteers from the IU School of Medicine Indianapolis  Laboratory Animal Resources Center (LARC). “Their efforts were instrumental in ensuring the process ran smoothly and efficiently, allowing us to make a meaningful impact,” Bray said. Key activities such as checking in sponsors, wrapping gifts, labeling, and organizing the donations by family and community center were completed seamlessly. “Thanks to the leadership and volunteers from LARC, we were able to manage all these activities with remarkable ease,” Bray added.

Volunteers wrapping gifts for the 2024 Season of Giving.

As the program continues to grow, Bray is already looking ahead to next year. “We look forward to collaborating with the IU Indianapolis community, our partners, and LARC for Season of Giving 2025, building on this year’s success,” he concluded.

The Season of Giving program remains a shining example of community engagement at IU Indianapolis. The IU family, together with its dedicated community partners, came together to make the program a success, brightening the holiday season for many families. As the 2024 holiday season continues, the campus community and partners can take pride in knowing their generosity has made a meaningful difference in the lives of their neighbors.

If you’re interested in participating in the 2025 Season of Giving, you can sign up now by visiting the webpage.

IU Indianapolis, Ivy Tech, and Marian University partner with the Indiana Latino Institute to support Latinx students

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2022 Pathways to Careers Cohort

The Indiana Latino Institute‘s (ILI) Pathways to Careers (P2C) program provides an innovative approach to supporting Latinx students while they are in college. Indiana University Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College, and Marian University partner with ILI to provide a cohort experience, paid internships, mentorship, and additional support to increase retention and persistence rates throughout their college experience.

P2C, funded by the Eli Lilly Foundation, provides support for five academic years. Currently, the program is in its fourth year. The program aims to reduce poverty among Latinx communities in Central Indiana, particularly in Marion County, through education. Its goal is to help Latinx college students complete their studies at partner universities and to enhance the universities’ capacity to better serve Latinx students, while strengthening their career pathways and placement in good jobs.

Every academic year, each academic institution, in partnership with ILI, selects five incoming freshmen for a total of twenty students. These students are then supported throughout their journey on each campus. All incoming university students who self-identify as Latino or Hispanic are encouraged to be part of the program and to apply. Other Latino students are nominated from sources, such as their high school.

Cindy Gil, Director of Latino Affairs, IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement

“They are leaders because they say, ‘I’m interested, and I’m going to take on this challenge,'” said Cindy Gil, director of Latino affairs at the IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement.

IU Indianapolis campus cohort

The P2C program provides students with hands-on experience and the opportunity to be mentored by their supervisors.

Internship placements

At IU Indianapolis, during the first two years, students are matched with an internship placement. They receive a scholarship and are compensated for their internship work, which is funded by the grant. The internships are located within various areas and units on campus, based on the students’ interests. Each year, sites are chosen based on their capacity to accommodate students in this program. As a result, there is a new set of internship placements each year. “The internship supervisors are challenged to think about how their offices or units can support the Latinx student population,” said Gil.

IU Indianapolis students have been placed in areas such as the Admissions Office, the Multicultural Center, the Financial Aid Office, Paws Pantry, Paws Closet, and within recruitment teams at specific schools.

Resources at the Multicultural Center

At the IU Indianapolis campus, every P2C student takes part in program activities at the IU Indianapolis Multicultural Center.

Cecilia Gomez, Latinx Student Service Specialist, IU Indianapolis Multicultural Center

IU alumna Cecilia Gomez works with the P2C students as the Latinx student service specialist at the Multicultural Center. Gil said, “Cecilia Gomez earned her master’s degree on our campus and now she’s working professionally with us at the Multicultural Center. I’m really excited that she’s with us!”

Gomez works with the students daily, engaging in activities that provide support, such as time management and resume preparation. She also organizes workshops with Eli Lilly, aiming to help students secure internships at Lilly by the end of the year. Additionally, she advises the Latino Student Association, which is IU Indianapolis’s largest Latino serving student group on our campus, according to Gil.

College and career coaching at ILI

All P2C students have the chance to collaborate with ILI monthly.  ILI provides a college and career coach for students to meet with regularly. They also bring in speakers to share information about community events, offer professional development activities, and provide a space for students to discuss campus life, personal matters, and classroom experiences. “Just again, another network of support for our students,” said Gil.

“There’s a lot that they’ll be involved in, and it’s going to require our students to balance their time and energy,” said Gil. “Many students in this program will participate in an internship, have a part-time job, and be full-time students. So, they’re very dedicated, involved, engaged, and are leaders in themselves,” Gil adds.

ILI also creates opportunities for students to come together for events in the community. For example, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra ensemble “Latin Fire” brought in a conductor from Latin America. ILI provided the opportunity for all cohorts to attend, meet and talk to the conductor before the concert, and then stay for the concert.

Strength of this partnership

A unique strength of P2C is that partner campuses collaborate to achieve a common goal of helping Latinx students graduate from college with internship experience. “The fact that three universities (IU Indianapolis, Ivy Tech, and Marian) are working to help increase student graduation across our campuses is unique,” said Gil. Although each respective university is attempting to attract the same students, they collaborate through P2C to share what has worked for the university and its students.

Another strength is that through the grant, P2C supports the campus’ effort to recruit and retain Latinx students in general. Thanks to effective recruitment and retention strategies at IU Indianapolis, the percent of Latino/Hispanic students on campus has increased to 11.6% of the total student population in 2023. P2C is committed to supporting Latinx students as they work towards graduation and future opportunities.

“An added strength to our retention efforts is that students work within their cohort,” added Gil. “It’s an additional resource and support as they work towards completing their educational goals.”

Program and student success

2021 Pathways to Careers Cohort

“One thing we can say is that our P2C students have remained at the university,” said Gil. While personal or family reasons may lead some students to withdraw, the program has successfully retained at least four out of five students each year, according to Gil.

Clarissa Vazquez Hernandez, P2C student (IU Indianapolis cohort #1) and Latino Student Association President

Several P2C students within the IU Indianapolis cohort have taken on leadership roles in student groups on campus. Clarissa Vazquez Hernandez, student from P2C’s first IU Indianapolis Cohort serves as the Latino Student Association President.

“The P2C program was one of the most eye opening and greatest accomplishments I’ve ever done,” said Hernandez. “It opened my door to many connections and inspired me to no longer be afraid to speak up and continue forward on my journey to become a doctor. This program gave me the courage to strive and continue sharing my stories to others who look just like me,” she added.

Other IU Indianapolis P2C students have moved into such leadership roles as the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and Alliance for Immigrant Justice.

IU Indianapolis Cohort Partnerships

The engagement between the IU Indianapolis cohort and internal campus units has been critical to P2C’s success.

The IU Indianapolis Latinx community, including alumni, community organizations, students, faculty, and staff, held a welcome back social at Taylor Hall during Weeks of Welcome. The photo was taken on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Photo by Liz Kaye/Indiana University)
Brian Benedict, Assistant Director for Internships, IU Indianapolis Campus Career and Advising Services Office

The IU Indianapolis Career and Advising Services office has effectively kept P2C students informed about available career and internship opportunities, as well as activities sponsored by the Lilly Foundation. “Brian Benedict, assistant director for internships in the IU Indianapolis Campus Career and Advising Services office, has been incredibly helpful in Career Services,” said Gil. “He has also done an excellent job maintaining our partnership with Eli Lilly,” she adds.

Alyssa Luna, English and Spanish Speaking Admissions Counselor, IU Indianapolis Office of Undergraduate Admissions

The grant also supports work by Alyssa Luna, an English and Spanish speaking admissions counselor at the IU Indianapolis Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and her team to collaborate with partners to organize and execute recruitment and student events as well as staff and student development programs.

The Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) is a 501(c)3 statewide non-profit organization committed to serving Latino communities across Indiana. Applications for the 2025-2026 Pathways to Careers cohort will be available in spring 2025.To learn more about the Pathways to Careers (P2C) program, visit the website.

IU Indianapolis Season of Giving supports families in need during the holiday season

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'TIS THE Season of Giving

The IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement invites faculty, staff, and students to spread holiday cheer and joy to families in our community by participating in the Season of Giving program. For over twenty years, IU Indianapolis (which transitioned from IUPUI in July 2024) has supported numerous struggling families during the holidays.

This annual program pairs sponsors with families in the community who wish to receive gifts during the holiday season. We collaborate with community partners, Christamore House and Hawthorne Community Center, to gather wish lists from participating families.

This year, our goal is to assist 100 families. Each sponsor is expected to spend a minimum of $75 per person and will receive a list of interests for each family member, which may include toys, clothing, and household items. Sponsors will also receive additional details regarding the gifts and drop-off procedures.

Gifts are being loaded onto Stuart’s Moving & Storage truck to be taken to the community centers.

Tuesday, December 3, is collection day, when we will collect all gifts in the Taylor Courtyard in front of the Multicultural Center between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Our community partners manage the distribution of gifts to their families.

Registration is open to all faculty, staff, and students! Departments, schools, and student organizations are encouraged to register as groups. Many groups participate in the Season of Giving program as a collaborative way to support our neighbors and their families.

The deadline to sign up as a sponsor for the Season of Giving program is Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Sign up today! For more information, contact Richard Bray at richbray@iu.edu.

Indiana University K-12 Student Success Corps report shows academic success statewide

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IU K-12 SSC tutor/mentor working with a small group of elementary school students.

Between the 2021 and 2024 academic years, the Indiana University K-12 Student Success Corps (IU K-12 SSC) served nearly 2,500 students statewide, resulting in improved academic and social-emotional outcomes, their recently released 2021-24 Impact Report shows.

IU K-12 SSC assists students in grades K-12 with free in-person or virtual tutoring, mentoring and college and career readiness programming. Created in 2016 as the Indiana KIDS program (the name changed in 2020), IU K-12 SSC employs Indiana University students from IU Indianapolis (transitioned from IUPUI in 2024), IU South Bend, IU East, and IU Southeast and community members that include retired teachers as tutor/mentors.

About the program

IU K-12 SSC is home to three free tutoring and mentoring programs: grade 6-12 virtual evening sessions, grade K-12 in-person sessions, and the grade K-6 in-person Young Scholars pilot program.

An IU K-12 SSC tutor/mentor serving in an online session.

During the academic school year, the virtual evening program provides tutoring and mentoring online and by phone to any Indiana student in grades 6-12. A program coordinator works closely with each student’s caregiver to identify academic areas of need and matches the student with skilled tutors and mentors who assist in math, language arts, science, and social studies. Students also learn about careers, college goals, navigating obstacles, and positive decision making.

IU K-12 SSC tutor/mentor serving in-person with an elementary grade student.

The K-12 in-person program provides tutoring and mentoring in schools and community centers in Indianapolis, South Bend, Richmond, and New Albany to support math, language arts, science, and social studies. Principals partner with teachers to identify students who need academic support and academic materials are provided to meet the students’ needs. IU K-12 SSC uses research-based academic strategies in tutoring sessions while also providing tutors and mentors with professional development in areas such as managing student behavior, addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and providing culturally responsive tutoring strategies. The program uses small groups and individualized instruction to respond to students’ learning needs.

IU K-12 SSC tutor/mentor serving in-person with an elementary grade student.

The Young Scholars Program is a two-year pilot program launched in October 2022 at two Indianapolis Public Schools – Robert Lee Frost School 106 and Theodore Potter School 74. At these schools, tutor/mentors provide face-to-face, high-dosage tutoring and social emotional learning interventions for students in grades K-6. They build relationships with students during the school day for 30 minutes, two to three times a week, to address learning setbacks in reading. Tutor/mentors implement professional development strategies learned from the Orton Gillingham phonics-based curriculum, as well as mentoring students in positive behavior choices, addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) for social emotional wellbeing, and incorporating culturally-responsive tutoring strategies for meaningful and relevant connections.

The Young Scholars program uses the looping approach to connect students tutored in the first year of the program with the same tutor/mentor in the second school year. Looping provides continuation of the relationship established between the student and tutor/mentor, helping to build trust and rapport.

IU K-12 SSC parents and caregivers attending an IU K-12 SSC workshop.

“Research has shown that keeping teachers with students over more than a one-year period helps them to be academically successful,” said Latosha Rowley, Young Scholars program manager. The program found that many students had improved behavior as a result of having an additional caring adult who was part of their school experience.

Enrolled students and their caregivers are invited to participate in workshops that support learning. Topics include literacy development, college and career readiness, student study habits, and college campus tours.

Students show academic growth and improvement

The strength of the IU K-12 SSC program is that students across gender, ethnicity and grade levels are having academic success. “This program works for all students,” said Mary Louise Bewley, Young Scholars school liaison.

InfographicBetween August 2021 and April 2024, IU K-12 SSC programming served at total of 2,472 students. The in-person program served 146 Indiana elementary (15), middle (54), and high (77) schools in addition to (4) community sites in Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis), South Bend (IU South Bend), New Albany (IU Southeast), and Richmond (IU East).

Tutors/mentors provided a total of 23,929 hours in tutoring and mentoring to enrolled K-12 students statewide from years 2021 to 2024 (including the IU Young Scholars and Virtual Evening programs), indicating a high degree of engagement between students and tutor/mentors. Following the sessions, 82% of students were reported to be able to move forward independently or with some guidance. An outstanding 90% of students actively participated and stayed engaged throughout each session.

In the Virtual Evening program, 230 students from 109 schools were served by phone or online with a total number of 3,745 tutoring and mentoring sessions from 2021-24. More than 96% of caregivers reported, based on qualitative program data, that the tutoring and mentoring their children received in the Virtual Evening program had a very significant positive impact on their academic and social/emotional growth. This impact included improved grades and test scores, increased confidence and self-esteem, reduced anxiety, better study habits, and positive attitudes toward learning. The program has also been demonstrated to have long-lasting benefits.

In 2023-24, the Young Scholars pilot program found students in the program showed an 83% increase in Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) scores for both pilot schools, demonstrating the program’s positive effects on academic growth and achievement.

Based on surveys received from teachers at the end of the school year, 89% thought the IU K-12 SSC program had improved their student’s literacy skills. Most teachers reported the tutors/mentors had a positive impact on students’ behavior.

Program impacts tutors and mentors too

College students from various IU campuses, community members, and former educators served as tutor/mentors in the program. Many were bilingual with proficient Spanish skills.

“The IU K-12 SSC experience encouraged two tutor/mentors to take a different career path – EDUCATION!,” said Crystal Clark, IU K-12 SSC program manager.  After graduating from Indiana University this year, two IU K-12 SSC tutor/mentors were hired as middle school teachers working in Indianapolis.

Melanie Martindale, a biology major, graduated in May 2024 intending to study pre-med but shifted her career path to education. Martindale applied for the Transition to Teaching program at IU Indianapolis and accepted a 7th grade science teacher position at IPS William Penn School #49 for the 2024-2025 school year.

Emma White, another May 2024 graduate who holds a master’s degree in public health, also shifted her career path to education. White was accepted into Teach for America (the Summer 2024 cohort) and accepted a middle school science teacher position at Arlington Community Middle School.

Faith Odiete, the IUPUI 2024 undergraduate commencement speaker served as a tutor/mentor in the 2023-2024 school year. As an IU K-12 SSC tutor/mentor, Faith supported first graders at IPS James Whitcomb Riley School 43 and students at Crispus Attucks High School. She plans to continue her role as a tutor/mentor, returning to James Whitcomb Riley School 43 to support the same group of students as second graders. (Photo by Liz Kaye/Indiana University)

Praise from parents and caregivers

IUSSC tutor/mentor serving in-person.

“The program has significantly increased the grades and confidence of my two students. My daughter’s grade went from a C to a B. My son hated math and his grades corresponded with his dislike. This last quarter my son has been receiving B’s in math and more importantly he has been excited to do his math homework. He looks forward to meeting with his tutor.”– IU K-12 SSC parent/caregiver

“It’s nice to see my child’s confidence blossom, which is not easy to capture in the data, but if you’re physically there it is very rewarding.” – IU K-12 SSC parent/caregiver

“I loved the coordinator’s willingness to work with my scholar’s schedule and the flexibility of his tutors.  The coordinator made sure I understood the process and worked with my schedule to ensure my scholar was scheduled with a tutor who best suited his academic needs.” – IU K-12 SSC parent/caregiver

“This program is amazing. My son has ADHD and situational anxiety and even though he has an IEP through the high school he doesn’t get the one-on-one help that he needs all the time. Since starting this tutoring program, he has been able to bring his grade up from an F and maintains a C+ to a B+ last semester and this semester. The high school has tutoring options, but it costs money and it’s something my family cannot afford at this time. This program being free has allowed my son an opportunity that we were not able to find anywhere else within the public school. Having the tutoring through the IUSSC was the only help we could find for our son with his math struggles. Having help once or twice a week allowed him to gain the knowledge he needed to bring his grades up and pass the class.” – IU K-12 SSC parent/caregiver

IUSSC tutor/mentor working with an elementary school student.

“Tutoring has had a tremendous impact regarding my daughter’s academic achievements. The skills, lessons, and accountability have helped her maintain her highest GPA in her academic career. Tutoring has had a tremendous impact on her success as a student. Most importantly, her confidence and understanding has improved. That has reflected in better test taking and grades. The skills that she learns from tutoring in math carry over in other subjects as well.” – IU K-12 SSC parent/caregiver

“When I say that I appreciate all that you have done for us I mean it. This tutoring program has improved my child’s mental health, academic standing, and her confidence in herself in ways that I could not have dreamed possible.” – IU K-12 SSC parent/caregiver

Appreciation from teachers and administration

“I want to extend our appreciation for the exceptional support that has been provided by the IUSSC tutors over the last two years. I have been extremely impressed with every one of the student tutors as they have made a significant and positive impact on our school community. Our students not only have benefited from their academic guidance but also behavioral as well. The tutors’ willingness to go above and beyond to support our students in whatever ways necessary has not gone unnoticed. They lead stations, provide engaging activities, support transitions, participate in parent/teacher conferences, and contribute to a safe and nurturing learning environment. The genuine connections they have built with our students and staff have made a significant, positive impact. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. We deeply appreciate your time and commitment and are truly grateful to have you as partner of our school.”  – Principal Kevin McMahan, IPS Jonathan Jennings School 109

“I’ve been in IPS for quite a while (22 years!) and this is the most beneficial outside program I’ve seen. The tutors who work with my students have been nothing short of wonderful. They show up every day they are supposed to be here, they are always on time, they are friendly and approachable, and they’re making a difference. I have tutoring students who were getting straight F’s on their spelling tests, missing every word, who are now consistently getting A’s. All of my tutoring students have shown growth both academically and socially. The tutors consistently check in with me and ask what I’d like them to work on. All in all, I just can’t say enough about how beneficial this program is. Thank you for everything you’re doing!  – 2nd grade teacher Elizabeth Clayton, IPS Robert Lee Frost School 106

Comments from tutor/mentor

Tutor/mentors serving at IU K-12 SSC family engagement event.

“Serving as a tutor/mentor has impacted me by allowing me to see the reach of my university beyond providing college students with an education. The Young Scholars Program serves communities and families, and it reminds me that I have skills and knowledge to share with the community.” – Dawn, IU Indianapolis student

As IU K-12 SSC looks to the future, they are evaluating their work and identifying funding sources. For more information about partnering with the Indiana University K-12 Student Success Corps (IU K-12 SSC), contact sscp@iu.edu or call 317-278-2000.

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