IU Office of Community Engagement in Indianapolis

🌟 A week of exploration, discovery, and inspiration. We're proud to see middle school students on the IU Indianapolis campus building confidence, exploring future possibilities, and beginning to envision their paths to college and future careers.

🎥 Check out the WTHR story to learn more:

IU Indianapolis is helping middle school students answer the age old question — "What do you want to be when you grow up?" 💼💭

Through Kids College, a free college-readiness camp for middle school students, campers receive all the tools they need to learn more about their fields of interest and explore what their futures could look like. From hands-on experiences throughout the week to building vision boards, the program aims to create a support system for the kids as they finish school.

"There are so many different careers, and right now, I don't know what I want to do, so this camp is helping me figure it out," said camper, Mia Perira.

🔗Learn more about this college-readiness program in this story from WTHR: https://hey.iu.edu/uqlDT

From hosting March Madness Final Four to being home to some of the biggest major league sports teams, Indianapolis sports and fan culture is only growing residents' pride and love for the Circle City. 🏙️🏟️

According to the latest Indy Sports Poll conducted by the IU Indianapolis Sports Innovation Institute, Central Indiana residents overwhelmingly believe that sports strengthen Indianapolis’ economy, culture, and personality.

Conducted in December 2025, the poll found that...
➕9 out of 10 Central Indiana residents agree sports makes Indianapolis a better place to live
🤝83% residents agree hosting championship events benefits the local community
⚾3 out of 4 respondents support a future major league baseball venue
⚽️73% support a future major league soccer team

Learn more about how Indianapolis sports are strengthening city pride: https://hey.iu.edu/uqbew

What began as a choice to stay close to home and save money soon became a kismet opportunity for IU School of Health & Human Sciences student Jake Lemming. 🏫🤝

The exercise science major initially chose IU Indianapolis for its proximity to home and affordability, but as he prepares for graduation, this Jag reflecting on finding much more in the heart of campus — a sense of belonging and career readiness.

"The opportunity for internships and outside of class opportunities within the exercise science major has definitely prepared me for what comes next as many of the professors have connections to internships or other events to help us get even more experience," said Lemming.

Jake's advice for current and incoming students? Connection.

"I would recommend connecting with professors as much as possible. They have so much experience and so many connections that gives your undergraduate education so much more depth... [I] will be doing my kinesiology externship through one of my professor's connections in Hawaii."

Homegrown impact. 🏆

Most of Indiana’s LCSWs got their education right here, building skills locally and showing up for communities across the state.

IU Indianapolis is empowering high school students to prepare for their next steps. 🎓

Through IU Indianapolis’s SPAN Division and programs like Take6, high school students are gaining early access to college courses, career exploration opportunities, mentorship, and real-world experience, all while saving thousands in tuition costs.

Learn more about these college readiness programs: https://hey.iu.edu/upMdg

From braiding hair with her grandmother to winning IU Indianapolis' annual pitch competition, Ja’Niya Smith's entrepreneurial dreams are only just beginning.

The Muncie native came to IU Indianapolis to major in marketing, management and venture creation at Kelley School of Business Indianapolis. She soon began envisioning how to spin off her success as a solo stylist into a scalable business that would reach beyond a single shop.

She landed on a startup idea focused on creating stylish workwear for beauty professionals. Her startup, Miss CEO Essentials, got a big boost when Smith won first place in the 2026 JagStart competition, an annual pitch competition sponsored by IU Innovates.

Learn more about Ja'Niya's journey: https://hey.iu.edu/upoQk

Camp is in session! ⛺️🎨

Through the IUI Herron School of Art + Design, students in grades 1 through 12 explore new avenues of art and design from professional art educators and studio artists.

From illustration to makerspace equipment and techniques, these weeklong summer youth art camps are designed to inspire, pique curiosity, and channel enthusiasm, transforming the wonder of each child's imagination into objects of invention and creativity.

🔗Sign up before June 1: https://hey.iu.edu/upxvX