At IU Bloomington, we’re shaping a bold, forward-looking future—one defined by access, innovation, real-world impact, and the success of our students and faculty. Through interdisciplinary programs, experiential learning, world-class research, and creative excellence, we are equipping graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing world while advancing knowledge, addressing society’s toughest challenges, and strengthening communities locally and around the world.
Priorities and initiatives
Interdisciplinary innovation
Solving tomorrow’s problems across disciplines.
We unite expertise from business, science, technology, policy, and the arts to tackle complex challenges. Our programs and research centers prepare students to think broadly, collaborate across fields, and create solutions that matter.
- Creating 23 new degree programs that reflect emerging fields and interdisciplinary approaches, including B.S. in computer engineering, B.S. in music business, and B.S. in business intelligence and data science.
- Expanding the engineering commitment through a $75 million investment to grow academic programs, launching new degrees, and advancing research initiatives as part of the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering.
- Supporting Accelerated Master’s Programs (AMPs), which expand pathways to advanced degrees by allowing students to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s in five years or less through integrated, streamlined coursework.
- Reimagining lower-enrolled programs to align with workforce needs, student demand and emerging fields and opportunities.
- Establishing interdisciplinary research groups in aging, environmental health, AI, and quantum technology to drive collaboration and pursue large-scale funding for global challenges.
- Building strategic partnerships with organizations like Lilly Endowment and Bloomington Trades District.
- Growing the AI ecosystem at IU Bloomington through Accelerating Imagination initiative—including new AI programs, cross-disciplinary research collaborations, GenAI 101 course, free access to ChatGPT Edu and other generative AI tools—equipping faculty and students to lead in technology-driven industries.
- Establishing a new eight-story facility in Washington, D.C. that places faculty and students at the center of national and international affairs—strengthening civic engagement, policy research, and real-world learning.
Preparing students for the future of work
Skills, experiences, and adaptability for every career.
Our students gain hands-on experience through internships, study-away programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, and immersive projects. They graduate ready not just for their first job, but for evolving industries and opportunities that don’t yet exist.
Reimagining general education curriculum to promote critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning, with a new first-year seminar launching at scale in fall 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to revise the undergraduate curriculum.
Expanding Experiential Learning Activities (ELAs) that help students apply knowledge, build skills, and prepare for success beyond the classroom.
Launching innovative new programs to integrate academic curriculum with real-world experiences, such as through the KIX Lab, K+M Media Collective, Vertically Integrated Programs, and others.
Reimagining Hutton Honors program to focus on building both breadth and depth of inquiry for high-achieving students.
Enhancing student engagement through the integration of active learning strategies and the expansion of purpose-designed classrooms that promote collaboration, participation, and hands-on problem solving across disciplines.
Strengthening First Year Experience programs and seminars through a more cohesive, student-centered approach—including reimagined welcome weeks, enhanced advising and wellness support, and greater integration of curricular and co-curricular learning.
- Implementing reimagined advising models that offer personalized, holistic support—part of a broader effort to improve student success, retention, and course completion rates.
- Implementing the Crimson Course Transformation initiative to redesign high-enrollment, high-DFW entry-level courses—improving student outcomes in foundational courses, completion rates, and academic momentum.
- Enhancing transfer student pathways by launching new partnerships and services that support a smoother transition to IU Bloomington—including a partnership with Verto Education that enables study abroad, a dedicated transfer office, and a streamlined application process via the EdVisorly
- Advancing affordability initiatives to reduce financial barriers for students, including the use of Open Educational resources—saving nearly $2 million in textbook and e-book costs over two years, and elimination of many fees.
- Enhancing graduate student success through expanded career development programs, including the hiring of a new director of graduate career coaching and a Graduate Ombudsperson, alongside increased stipends—supporting outcomes beyond the degree.
Faculty & academics as problem-solvers
World-class scholars driving real-world impact.
Our faculty lead research and teaching that address pressing societal challenges—from AI ethics and climate to health equity and economic growth. We provide them the resources and support to pursue bold ideas, creating discoveries that benefit communities locally, and beyond.
- Recruiting new F100 faculty in high-impact disciplines to advance research, foster innovation, and strengthen the academic experience for students.
- Enhancing faculty recruitment, retention, and professional development through streamlined processes, expanded support, and a renewed focus on career advancement.
- Strengthening the infrastructure for faculty awards and recognition by expanding eligibility, introducing self-nomination options, and fostering a campus culture that celebrates excellence in teaching and research.
- Growing the academic profile of incoming students through record-breaking enrollment, increased application volume, and continued support for access and affordability.
- Advancing innovative teaching and research through Project Inspire—a $13 million investment in renovating labs and learning spaces in biology, chemistry, and music.
- Increasing campus fundraising to support strategic priorities while expanding efforts to engage donors and secure long-term investments in IU Bloomington’s future.
- Implementing a $45 million project to renovate laboratories and workspaces to enable research requiring wet labs, microelectronics, robotics, secure computing, quantum simulation, and others.
