News

Community engagement is in our DNA

IUPUI is inextricably connected to the world around us. Our campus covers more than 534 acres within the city of Indianapolis but our reach goes deep into the community.

Our commitment to community engagement can be seen in almost everything we do, whether we’re helping students succeed in the classroom or working to increase the well-being of our city, country, and world.

We’re here to facilitate these activities, creating and nurturing partnerships between campus and community in ways that matter.

Community engagement by the numbers

9,737students enrolled in community-based learning courses in 2015–16

1,000,000+hours of student engagement in the community through courses

4campus-wide days of service

875 community partners

63%of alumni reported participating in community service or volunteer work while at IUPUI

24%of faculty report engaging in a collaborative research project with a community partner

57%of IUPUI employees live in Marion County

57.7%of students voted in 2016

177community service scholarship recipients annually

A round yellow seal that says Carnegie Foundation Elective Community Engagement Classification.

IUPUI was among the first cohort of campuses to recieve the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2006—the gold standard for the field—and was reclassified in 2015.

Making an impact in our community

Three people stand in front of a home. Two are holding shovels. One is holding a tree. There is a hole in the ground.

IUPUI wins Engaged Campus of the Year award from Indiana Campus Compact

In 2018, IUPUI was awarded the Engaged Campus of the Year award from Indiana Campus Compact for exemplary commitment to improving the community and educating students for civic and social responsibility. The Indiana Campus Compact is a partnership of Indiana's public, private and community college higher education institutions and is focused on advocating, implementing and improving service engagement. The Engaged Campus Award recognizes exemplary commitment to advancing the civic purposes of higher education.

Read more about the award
Three people stand in front of a home. Two are holding shovels. One is holding a tree. There is a hole in the ground.

Madam Walker Theatre Center and IU partner to continue rich legacy of Madam C.J. Walker

In 2018, the Madam Walker Theatre Center and Indiana University announced the formulation of a first-ever partnership in a move that will refurbish and modernize one of Indianapolis' most beloved landmarks. The collaboration continues the rich legacy and tradition of the renowned entrepreneur, civil rights activist and philanthropist Madam C.J. Walker and commits to a complete renovation of the Madam Walker Theatre Center building.

Learn more about the partnership
Three people stand in front of a home. Two are holding shovels. One is holding a tree. There is a hole in the ground.

Indiana University free, statewide program prepares 6-12th grade students for success

Indiana University college students are preparing 6-12th grade students across the state for college and careers by providing free tutoring, mentoring, and workshops through the Indiana Kids program. Launched from the IUPUI campus, the Indiana Kids program is a collaboration between Serve Indiana and seven Indiana University campuses (IUPUI, IU Bloomington, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast).

Learn more about the program

Help us make Indianapolis a better place

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