Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement News
The University of Indianapolis has earned the 2026 Community Engagement Classification, reinforcing its commitment to community service and student involvement. Through initiatives such as free health clinics, educational programs, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations, students gain real-world experience while making a meaningful impact. University leaders emphasized that this recognition reflects the shared efforts of students, faculty, and community partners in promoting civic responsibility and service.
The University of Indianapolis has been nationally recognized with the 2026 Community Engagement Classification from the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation. This designation highlights UIndy’s strong commitment to service-learning, community partnerships, and civic engagement. The university collaborates with more than 200 nonprofit organizations and provides hands-on service opportunities that benefit both students and the surrounding community. This recognition affirms UIndy’s mission of “education for service” and its impact locally and beyond.
UIndy sport management students in Dr. Jennifer VanSickle’s Facility and Event Management course planned and implemented a free, fall break sports camp for youth in the Bethel Park area October 11-13, 2022. Twenty-four youths ages 8-14 attended each day and were treated to lunch and snacks, supplied by donations secured from area organizations by the UIndy students. The camp provided an opportunity for the youth to participate in health, fitness, and educational activities led by UIndy students and served as a safe place for them to socialize during the school break. Attendees were also treated to mini sport history lessons by students in Dr. Isabell Mills’s Sports History class. UIndy students learn how to plan, organize, and implement a sports program and how to interact with and lead sports activities. Bethel Park is an Indy Parks facility located on the Southside of Indianapolis and is managed by Derrick Miller, a UIndy alum. This is the 5th year sport management students have provided this service for youth at Bethel Park.
The Freshman Seminar in Music 106 went to Joy's House on October 5th, 2022 for their service-learning project for class and did a wonderful job! We had incredible attendance from our students and there was a good group of guests there on that day. 20 students participated in solo and group selections with some being interactive. After 2 years of virtual programming for Joy's House, they were able to see the faces of the guests and the UIndy students in this interaction.
Through a collaboration with the University of Indianapolis and ProAct Indy, the Youth Empowerment Summer Camp creates immersive service-learning experiences for high-school-aged students. During the two-week camp, students engaged in reflection, team building, community service, and analyzed homelessness in the Indianapolis, IN and Louisville, KY communities.