Written by Daniel Farrell, MPA-MIA candidate, December 2025 I recently returned from Baku, Azerbaijan, where the annual United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) concluded after two weeks of intense climate negotiations. This was COP29—the twenty-ninth meeting of what is often the largest international policy conference of any given year. The COP is administered by the… Read more »
High Impact Practices
Exploring Public Service and STEM: IU students gain insights at national NextGen Service Corps retreat in New Mexico
In early November, Indiana University NextGen Leadership Program students Ella Bell and Khloe Williams had the unique opportunity to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a retreat hosted by the NextGen Service Corps at the University of New Mexico. The conference brought together students from across the country, all interested in exploring how public service… Read more »
O’Neill MPA student research used to secure $200K grant for California community
A small California town is better prepared for future floods thanks to the innovative research of three current and former MPA students at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. While working on a final paper for their Climate Change Policy class, Jeff Adams, Tracy Luther, and Evan Fall dove into the… Read more »
Empowering Bloomington: IU students research keys to unlocking nonprofit success
Understanding the keys to a thriving nonprofit is crucial—not only for academic insight but for building stronger, more connected communities. At Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, students are diving into this challenge by engaging directly with nonprofits in the heart of Bloomington. Supported by AmeriCorps, the Observing Civic Engagement (OCE) project… Read more »
Sustainability in action: O’Neill students’ Costa Rica Summer Program experience
This past summer, a group of students from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs embarked on an unforgettable 10-day journey through Costa Rica, immersing themselves in the country’s rich biodiversity and sustainability efforts. From hands-on experiences at local coffee farms and fisheries to eye-opening lessons on environmental policy, the trip offered students the… Read more »
Ethan Fragoso: Building a brighter future through public service and advocacy
Ethan Fragoso’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and an unwavering commitment to community service. Originally from Lake Station, Indiana, a suburb of Gary, Fragoso has overcome numerous challenges to become a dedicated advocate for underserved communities. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of leadership. Fragoso’s life took… Read more »
MS in Healthcare Management students benefit from a week with Value Capture experts
Our MS in Healthcare Management graduate students recently had the privilege of attending a weeklong learning experience with Value Capture, a company founded by our school namesake, Paul H. O’Neill, with his son Paul O’Neill Jr. as a co-founding principal. Guided by the expert team of Lisa Beckwith, Vickie Pisowicz, and Shana Padgett, Value Capture… Read more »
High-impact practices for learning and leadership: O’Neill’s commitment to excellence through internships
This post is part of our series outlining O’Neill’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate education by R.J. Woodring, Associate Dean for Educational Programs, and Andrea Need, Director of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Students need more than just textbook knowledge to thrive in today’s complex, interconnected world. They need practical experience, real-world problem-solving skills, and a global… Read more »
High-impact practices in learning and leadership: O’Neill’s commitment to excellence through collaborative assignments
This post is part of our series outlining O’Neill’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate education by R.J. Woodring, Associate Dean for Educational Programs, and Andrea Need, Director of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Experts work together to develop strategies and procedures to solve a problem by creating a policy. That policy is then passed on to decision-makers… Read more »
High-impact practices for learning and leadership: Diversity and global leadership opportunities at O’Neill
This post is part of our series outlining O’Neill’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate education by R.J. Woodring, Associate Dean for Educational Programs, and Andrea Need, Director of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. At the O’Neill School, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community for everyone who engages with our institution—placing justice and… Read more »