As we celebrate National Transfer Student Week, we’re highlighting the incredible students who joined the O’Neill School community after starting their college journeys elsewhere. Meet Allie Wiley, BSPA’25, who studied law and public policy at O’Neill before starting law school IU McKinney in Indianapolis. Transferring to IU and Finding O’Neill For Allie, transferring to Indiana… Read more »
Alumni Story
From Bloomington to the backcountry: How O’Neill prepared David Diamond, MPA-MSES’99, to facilitate collaborative grizzly bear conservation
When David Diamond, MPA-MSES’99, was deciding where to earn a graduate degree, he had several top programs on the table. But after one visit to Indiana University, he knew the O’Neill School was the right place for him. Today, Diamond leads collaborative efforts to protect and recover grizzly bears across the Northern Rockies. His work… Read more »
Leading across sectors: Ron Walker’s career built on O’Neill principles
For Ron Walker, the O’Neill School offered not just a transformative education—it turned a proud alma mater into a family tradition of leadership and public service. A 1996 graduate of the Master of Public Affairs program, Walker has built a successful career that spans the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Almost 30 years later, his… Read more »
Essential Skills for Essential Resources: Joshua Stockton, BSPA’24, Keeps Our Water Safe
With a background in environmental management from the O’Neill School, Joshua Stockton, BSPA’24, found a role that aligns with his interests and the growing demand for water professionals. Today, he’s working at the City of Bloomington’s water treatment plant, applying what he learned in the classroom to protect one of the state’s most essential resources. … Read more »
Future arts leader Lucia Walker hits all the high notes at O’Neill
Lucia Walker, BSAM’25, didn’t have to look far to find inspiration for her college journey. Growing up in Bloomington, surrounded by the arts, community service, and Indiana University’s vibrant energy, she found a natural home at the O’Neill School. She began her time at IU as a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, a highly competitive… Read more »
Connecting Communities with Capital, Alumna Stephanie (Sievers) Barrett Builds Meaningful Career in Affordable Housing Finance
When Stephanie Barrett, BSPA’94 graduated from Indiana University with a degree from what’s now the O’Neill School, she didn’t know her path would eventually lead to helping thousands of people find a safe, stable place to call home. But with a passion for community and a sharp eye for finance, she carved out a career… Read more »
Alumna Abby Henkel Roman, MAAA’10, to perform original choral piece with local ensemble
This weekend, local chamber choir Voces Novae will perform the Midwest premiere of Perigee, an original choral selection composed by O’Neill alumna Abby Henkel Roman, MAAA’10. The text of the piece is drawn from a poem by Abby’s friend and fellow soprano Mary Craig, written to honor the memory of Mary’s son, Simon. When Abby… Read more »
A Lifelong Learner: Robert Sarikas and His Journey Back to School at 76
When Robert (Zeke) Sarikas decided to return to school in his 70s, he wasn’t just pursuing a degree—he was chasing a new chapter in life. Enrolling in Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs to earn a Master of Environmental Sustainability (MES), Sarikas exemplifies the power of lifelong learning and the drive to… Read more »
From dreams to degrees: The inspiring journey of Alex Sanchez, first-generation college graduate
Born and raised in Hanover Park, Illinois, Alex Sanchez embarked on his college career in 2019 at the College of DuPage. Initially uncertain about his path, he dreamt of a career in healthcare to help others on a larger scale. Reflecting on his roots and his parents’ sacrifices as immigrants from Mexico, Sanchez felt a… Read more »
Charting the green path: Kiryssa Kasprzyk’s journey from O’Neill to global leadership in climate policy and conservation
In a Zoom call, I had the pleasure of interviewing O’Neill alum Kiryssa Kasprzyk amidst a backdrop of lush tropical plants. I immediately resonated with her dedication to preserving tropical forests, seamlessly integrated into her urban life in D.C. On that brisk winter afternoon, the panoramic view of greenery, extending from floor to ceiling inside… Read more »