5 Questions with …
The 5 Questions feature celebrates the people who make our community so special by helping us get to know one another—one story at a time. Want to suggest a colleague to feature or share a story idea? Tell us about it.
Spring 2023 spotlights
Michael D. K. Ing
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
Michael explores identity and what it means to be human. “My work aims to show how robust the intellectual traditions of Indigenous peoples have been and are.”
Meet Michael
Lauren “Wren” Garcia
Student
College of Arts and Sciences
Wrenhas made a welcoming place for herself and others in STEM research.“I truly cannot think of a better place for me to be pursuing my degree.”
Meet Wren
Alwiya Omar
African Languages Coordinator, African Studies Program Director, Clinical Professor
HAMILTON LUGAR SCHOOL
“I returned because Bloomington is really home away from my Zanzibar home.” Alwiya discusses the joy of teaching and learning language.
Meet Alwiya
Jamie Gayer
Assistant Vice President
Capital Planning and Facilities
“The flexibility of the online MPA has made all the difference in being able to successfully complete courses.” Jamie pursues an O’Neill degree while working and sharing time with family.
Meet Jamie
John Ooley
Custodian
Regional Academic Health Center
No matter what comes up — from broken glass to struggling students — John is ready to help. “We all go through our moments in life, and it’s good to be able to have community.”
Meet John
Jen Berry
Assistant Director & Lead Academic Advisor
21st Century Scholars Program
Jen is committed to empowering lower-income and first-generation students in learning and growth. “Don’t let yourself be silenced!”
Meet Jen
Carley Cruz
Assistant Director for Diversity Initiatives and Curriculum
CommUNITY Education Program
Follow Carley’s journey as a first-generation college student and DEI educator in the CUE program. “The most important thing for me is cultural humility and being willing to learn.”
Meet Carley
Mary Embry
Senior Lecturer, Merchandising
Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design
Mary’s passion for fashion intertwines with her global advocacy. “Human rights in fashion are one piece of a rounded sustainability conversation about people, planet, and profit.”
Meet Mary
Pieper Walton
Doctoral Student
IU School of Optometry
“I knew from my interview day at IU School of Optometry that IU felt like home.”
Meet Pieper
Xavier Ramirez
Student
O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
From Bloomington to the Netherlands, Xavier builds community. “Each student has their own story and background, and making sure to never forget this is vital to creating the best possible outcomes, in work and in life.”
Meet Xavier
Sam Young
Interim Director
Groups Scholars Program
As an IUB undergrad, Sam was an involved student and Groups Scholar. Now associate director of the Groups Scholars Program, he wants students to remember the program’s motto: “Success is our reality.”
Meet Sam
Purnima Bose
Academic Director, IU India Gateway, Professor
Department of English and International Studies
Purnima is an IUB professor of English and of international studies who wants to help connect faculty with the IU India Gateway.“Academic activities at the gateways are faculty driven. We’re always happy to brainstorm ideas for initiatives with colleagues.”
Meet Purnima
Mary Yoke
Healthy IU Instructor
School of Health and Human Sciences at IU Indianapolis
Learn how Mary’s journey from opera singer to Healthy IU instructor and lecturer has given her a unique perspective on the importance of physical and emotional well-being.
Meet Mary
Vesna Dimitrieska
Coordinator, Global Education Initiatives
School of Education and Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies
Vesna Dimitrieska stewards a host of programs that help Hoosier educators internationalize their teaching and curricula for students from kindergarten to college.
Meet Vesna
Kate Johnson
Voice Student
Jacobs School of Music
Learn about Kate Johnson's path to IU and how she is preparing for the titular role of "Anne Frank" with IU Jacobs School of Music Opera Theater.
Meet Kate
Britt Koehnlein
Ph.D. candidate
Department of Political Science, College of Arts & Sciences
Ph.D. candidate and Ostrom Fellow Britt Koehnlein will present a March 8 workshop on how vaccination campaigns can both improve health and build capacity in states that are in conflict or are newly independent.
Meet Britt
César Félix-Brasdefer
Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Spanish and Portuguese, College of Arts & Sciences
César offers ambitious, collaborative goals for IU’s Mexico Gateway and helpful advice for speaking respectfully with people of different cultures.
Meet César
Jennifer Engel
Associate Vice President
Office of Overseas Study
Jennifer joined IU as director of Overseas Study in July. Among the things she loves about the work is connecting students with opportunities -- especially those who didn’t think study abroad was within reach.
Meet Jennifer
Luke Leftwich
Executive Director
Residential Programs and Services
What has 3,300 toilets, 2,600 showers, and serves 28,000 meals a day to 11,000 people? Luke Leftwich offers a look inside the massive operation that is Residential Programs & Services.
Meet Luke
Steven Lalevich
Healthy IU Dietitian
IU Student Health Center
Steven offers tips on creating healthful habits, the ups and downs of diverse diets, and surviving the Bub’s “Big Ugly” challenge – twice.
Meet Steven
Kyle Seibert
Public Affairs, Policy Analysis Student
O’Neill School
The IU Student Body President shares how he is working with focus groups to bring a student perspective to the IUB 2030 strategic planning process.
Meet Kyle