Thanks to generous donors, O’Neill students on both the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses can get financial support for hands-on learning opportunities outside the classroom. The O’Neill Experiential Learning Fund is a vital resource to enhance students’ academic and professional development. Whether through internships, conferences, or other experiential learning programs, the fund helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
Bloomington students explore democracy in action
In February, six undergraduate students traveled from Bloomington to the University of Maryland to represent the O’Neill School at the first-ever Big Ten Democracy Summit. Their travel was made possible by the O’Neill Experiential Learning Fund.
All the students who attended were current or previous participants in IU’s Civic Leaders Center (CLC), a living-learning community for first-year undergraduates. They were accompanied to the summit by Prof. Paul Helmke, who directs the CLC.
“I’ve been discussing civic engagement with these students since their first years on campus, but participating in this summit together allowed them to explore the challenges of preserving our democracy in a fresh and exciting way with prominent speakers and students from across the country,” said Helmke.
One of the highlights of the summit was the opportunity for students to engage in real-world legislative debates through a policy simulation. The students assumed the role of senators or congressional representatives to debate a proposed bill and explored the conversations—and compromises—legislative action requires. The hands-on experience allowed students to understand the intricacies of policy-making and the importance of working across party lines to achieve common goals.
“It illustrated, through a real bill, the necessity of bipartisan collaboration—an essential skill for addressing complex societal issues,” said law and public policy major Noah Bootcheck. “These conversations have inspired me to think creatively about how I can apply what I’ve learned to my studies, my work on IU’s campus, and my career beyond graduation.”
In addition to the policy simulation, the summit featured breakout sessions on civic engagement, higher education, and a keynote on strategies for countering disinformation. The students had the chance to engage with experts, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the issues.
New paid internship opportunity in Indianapolis
Students in Indianapolis will also benefit from the O’Neill Experiential Learning Fund. In an exciting new development, a regional development agency approached the O’Neill School to create a work-learn opportunity. This initiative will allow an O’Neill student to join their organization one day a week throughout a semester. Through this experience, the student will meet local officials and business leaders while gaining professional experience by performing agency tasks.
Thanks to the experiential learning fund, this opportunity will be a paid internship, enabling students—who might otherwise need to work outside of class—to learn while they earn.
Your support makes a difference
From national summits to community-based internships, the O’Neill Experiential Learning Fund empowers students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world issues. These experiences prepare them to lead, serve, and make meaningful change.
Learn how you can support students learning outside-the-classroom through the O’Neill Experiential Learning Fund by give.myiu.org.
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