The Indiana University Council for Regional Engagement and Economic Development, or CREED, held its final quarterly meeting of 2017 on Nov. 1 on the IUPUI campus.
David Gard provided updates from the university, including an extended and expanded goal to raise $3 billion in the For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign; the announcement of the latest Grand Challenge, “Responding to the Addictions Crisis”; President McRobbie‘s travels to Japan and Australia; Chuck Carney being named director of media relations and university spokesperson; news that the Office of the Vice President for Engagement will present an update on the university’s economic engagement activities at the next meeting of the board of trustees; and information about meetings with regional chancellors to explore economic development opportunities at each campus that CREED can support.
Campus spotlight – IU South Bend
Rick Kolbe, dean of the Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics at IU South Bend, began his presentation with an overview of the River Park Neighborhood Project. It covers an area smaller than a square mile in South Bend but includes Adams High School; Nuner Primary Center; a park, a zoo and a conservatory; the South Bend Farmer’s Market; the YMCA of Michiana; and the River Park branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library. These assets are in close proximity to the IU South Bend campus and represent a significant economic development zone for the city and campus.
Kolbe detailed how the Leighton School is an organizer and community sponsor of the South Bend chapter of 1 Million Cups, a Kauffman Foundation-based program that educates, engages and connects entrepreneurs with their communities. The South Bend chapter began meeting in September, and attendance has been strong — a diverse range of businesses have joined and new members make presentations each week.
Another strategic initiative of the Leighton School is the Transformative Learning Assessment Institute, which seeks to create and sustain a business school that is responsive to the needs of the business community. It will strive to establish competency-based credentials of value to industry within the business school coursework, as well as transform how assessment is employed in higher education.
Kolbe said these and other initiatives have been created to demonstrate the school’s value to the regional business community; develop a strong image for the Leighton School name; and strengthen the market awareness of the quality of the school’s students, programs, faculty and value to the community.
Government relations
Trevor Foughty, director of government relations and communications, said there have been many opportunities to speak with legislators about the topics they care about, including the state’s return on investment based on the university’s economic development work. A video and website about IU campuses’ impact on the state and counties are in the works; the website should launch by late May or early June.
RED Fund
CREED approved a $1,500 Regional Economic Development, or RED, Fund grant for a luncheon at IU Southeast with an anticipated 55 attendees. The luncheon provides direct engagement with regional employers and economic development officials. The event will place IU Southeast at the forefront of discussions about the role of education attainment in the region.
The next CREED meeting will be Feb. 6.