From the Provost

October 14, 2025

I remember a time when “interdisciplinary” meant students taking a course or two outside their major. Today, it’s much more.

The opportunities our graduates will pursue—at the intersections of humans and technologies, physical and virtual environments, civic leadership and discovery—no longer fit neatly within a single discipline. The most impactful innovations and groundbreaking ideas emerge when leaders with different expertise collaborate toward a shared goal. Meeting these opportunities requires fluency across fields, connecting science with policy, technology with ethics, business with design and the arts.

At IU Bloomington today, we are rethinking what a degree can be—not just to respond to change, but to prepare students for meaningful careers and real-world problem-solving. Our newest programs offer flexible, student-centered pathways that empower learners to work across boundaries, think from multiple perspectives, responsibly employ new technologies, and graduate ready to innovate, lead, and make an impact in a rapidly evolving world. 

Expanding our academic horizons 

Since 2022, IU Bloomington has introduced 23 new degree programs that reflect emerging fields and interdisciplinary thinking. A few of our newest programs show how this vision is coming to life: 

• B.S. in Business Intelligence and Data Science (Kelley School of Business & Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering): Integrates business strategy with data analytics. Students tackle real-world problems using data-driven approaches, preparing them to innovate across industries increasingly shaped by technology and information. 

• B.S. in Cybersecurity and Global Policy (Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies & Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering): Merges technical expertise in cybersecurity with policy and international affairs. Students learn to analyze global security challenges, design technical solutions, and understand policy implications, preparing them to address complex, cross-disciplinary issues. 

• B.S. in Music Business (Jacobs School of Music & Kelley School of Business): Combines musical artistry with business strategy and management. Students engage in real-world projects with industry partners, gaining experience in marketing, entrepreneurship, and entertainment management. 

You can see this vision in action as students work side by side with faculty from across IU Bloomington’s schools—bridging disciplines, engaging in hands-on research, and gaining experience that connects learning with impact. Students leave not only with disciplinary knowledge but with the ability to think across boundaries and solve problems that traditional programs cannot fully address. 

Faculty and data-informed innovation 

These creative programs are the product of faculty vision and deans’ leadership. Faculty see new intersections between disciplines, and deans champion innovative approaches to education and research that expand opportunities for students and foster new exploration. I’m especially grateful to Deans Pat Hopkins, Joanna Millunchick, John Ciorciari, David Tolchinsky, Abra Bush, and our other academic deans and their teams for their leadership in advancing interdisciplinary programs at IU Bloomington. The momentum is only growing. 

Our progress is also grounded in data. With key industry and data partners, we actively analyze dynamic student interests and workforce demand. These insights inform new programs and ensure they align with real-world opportunities. As one example, the Business Intelligence and Data Science degree was designed to respond directly to market demand for graduates who can integrate business insight with technical expertise. 

Already, these new degrees are attracting diverse cohorts of students, fostering collaboration among schools, and strengthening IU Bloomington’s position as a leader in interdisciplinary education, preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow. 

Looking ahead 

As we continue to expand and refine our academic offerings—through new programs and the reimagining of existing degrees—our goal remains clear: every IU Bloomington student should graduate ready to navigate complexity, think across disciplines, and make a meaningful impact. 

I encourage all our creative faculty to embrace the challenge of ensuring the utmost relevance of our offerings and delivering meaningful, truly interdisciplinary experiences that will best prepare graduates for leadership and stewardship of the world’s communities. From philosophy to synthetic biology, everything we study and teach at IU Bloomington has a vital connection to our students’ lives today and tomorrow—and it is our duty to unite and share that knowledge. 

Innovation must be a team effort—driven by leading faculty and deans and informed by the students and communities we serve. Together, I am confident we are building the structures, programs, and partnerships that will keep IU Bloomington at the forefront of discovery and learning for years to come.