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What’s it like to transfer to O’Neill?

Posted on by ebatman

“It all happened really fast,” said Rachel Moneta, BSHMP’22.

smiling student
Transfer student Rachel Moneta, BSHMP’22, studied Healthcare Management and Policy and Human Resource Management.

After a year of taking classes at a commuter campus close to home in northwest Indiana, Moneta woke up one morning and decided to transfer to IU Bloomington.

“Watching all of my friends branch out on different campuses, I realized I was missing key parts of the college experience,” said Moneta. “I talked to my advisor and ended up applying to IU and sending my transcripts over that same day.”

Finding her major

Moneta arrived in Bloomington not knowing what she wanted to study. She had initially planned on becoming a nurse but realized she didn’t enjoy the clinical side of healthcare. On a whim, she wandered into the Walter Center for Career Achievement. An advisor there carefully listened to her explain her interests, then handed her Brett Reardon’s contact information.

Reardon is a senior academic advisor at the O’Neill School and specializes in working with transfer students. When he started to outline O’Neill’s Healthcare Management and Policy major, Moneta knew she’d found the right fit.

Although she worried that coming in as a transfer student might put her behind, Reardon was able to help her map out her goals. “I accomplished everything I wanted to,” said Moneta. “O’Neill was very flexible. [Reardon] always says he’s able to help people graduate when they want to as long as they pick their major by their junior year. I was nervous – but it all worked out.”

Finding her community

Moneta found the social aspect of transferring particularly stressful. On top of being worried about her academic progress, she was nervous that coming in a year behind meant that she’d struggle to break into established friend groups. However, she found that joining clubs like IU’s club gymnastics and frisbee teams were effective ways to meet new people.

She also found a tight-knit community at the O’Neill School. She met friends in her classes and through the Honors Program. She even joined a club for students from her new major.

“I loved being a part of the Healthcare Management and Policy student organization,” said Moneta. “We talked about issues and trends in the field – things like access to healthcare for uninsured individuals. I got a head start thinking about challenges I’ll be facing in the future as I enter the workforce.”

Moneta also appreciated the relationships she formed with her professors. “[They’re] not just here to teach,” she said. “They’re passionate about their fields and also about making sure we do well.”

Moneta met frequently with Prof. Mark Norrell, a former hospital administrator, about her professional plans. “He has hands-on experience in an area where I wanted to have a career, so he became a mentor – not just a professor.”

Finding her path

After graduating, Moneta started a job as a corporate recruiter at Wabash National in Lafayette, Ind.

“After you’ve been in school for years, it can be intimidating to think about moving into the workforce. O’Neill made that less scary by offering a lot of resources to help me transition,” said Moneta. Through the Career Hub, she got help preparing her resume, working on her interviewing skills, and clarifying her sense of professional direction.

She also credits her coursework for helping her develop a versatile skill set. “O’Neill prepared me with real life projects. I took a wide variety of courses, so I wasn’t just learning project management in general, but also finance, strategic planning, human resources – many different sides of my major.”

If you’ve recently transferred to IU or have questions about joining the O’Neill School, reach out to our advising staff today.

Fulton earns 2022 Customer Excellence Award from Alteryx

Posted on by Ken Bikoff

Brad Fulton, an associate professor at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, has received a 2022 Customer Excellence Award from Alteryx, Inc., at its annual user conference, Alteryx Inspire 2022.

Photo of Brad Fulton
Brad Fulton

Fulton earned recognition in the Impactor category as the best example of using data for good by developing a comprehensive workflow to automate data extraction, cleansing, and matching from multiple sources. The vast volumes of unstructured administrative data often inhibit researchers and practitioners from conducting field-level studies of philanthropic efforts to address social needs. Fulton and his team from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering’s Data Science in Practice course, including recent graduates Jessi Arthur, David Ross, and Hannah Corso, increased usable data by more than 200 percent, improved data processing speed 16-fold, and optimized match rates. The result is a first-of-its-kind network dataset that links U.S. foundation and grantee data spanning the past 10 years.

“Given that we were competing with Fortune 500 companies for this award, I’m impressed that our team could distinguish itself in providing a high-quality, innovative, and impactful use case,” Fulton said. “I work with a lot of data scientists from around the world and the Luddy students are among the best. It’s great that our efforts to use big data for the greater good received this recognition in a very competitive field.”

By linking U.S. foundation and grantee data, the dataset of more than one million non-profit organizations successfully reveals the flow and distribution of money throughout the non-profit sector to show how funding patterns affect community-level social and economic inequality.

“I plan to use these data to collaborate with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who are interested in conducting field-level analyses of the entire nonprofit sector or any of its subsectors such as the arts, education, and healthcare,” Fulton said.

Fulton is also in the process of seeking additional funding so that he can make the data and platform publicly available in a plug-and-play format.

“The ability to transform complex raw data into business insights is critical to remain competitive in the current business landscape,” said Matthew Stauble, chief customer officer at Alteryx. “The 2022 Customer Award Winners are shining examples of what businesses can achieve by coupling a culture of analytics that focuses on upskilling employees with the right analytics tools. We are thrilled to recognize their achievements and look forward to seeing how they continue to evolve their programs in the coming year.”

Meretsky, Fischman paper honored as one of the top-five environmental law articles by Land Use and Environment Law Review

Posted on by Ken Bikoff

Vicky Meretsky, a professor at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and IU Mauer School of Law Professor and Adjunct Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs Rob Fischman are among the authors of “Collaborative Governance Under the Endangered Species Act: An Empirical Analysis of Protective Regulations,” which was judged by the Land Use and Environment Law Review as one of the five best environmental law articles published in 2021.

Photo of Rob Fischman and Vicky Meretsky
Rob Fischman and Vicky Meretsky

The piece, which was led by Fischman in collaboration with Meretsky and Matthew Castelli from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, examines how the Endangered Species Act has thrived as a tool to save species thanks partially to collaborative governance, which allows stakeholders and regulators to work together craft best practices that can benefit all.

“The recognition from the legal academy reflects greater acceptance of the empirical approaches that Vicky Meretsky and I have been promoting for many years,” Fischman said. “Our aim was not simply to provide a more comprehensive account of the controversial special rules under the Endangered Species Act. It was also to demonstrate how collaborative governance works in conservation agencies. This scholarship is especially rewarding to me because it involves analysis I could not undertake without Vicky’s expertise in quantitative analysis and conservation biology. Our skills are more powerful in partnership than separately.”

The study was initially published in the Yale Journal on Regulation. The piece underwent two rounds of peer review and was selected from more than 100 articles before receiving recognition.

“As a conservation biologist, I’m delighted that this recognition will raise awareness of the vital role of collaboration in conservation,” Meretsky said. “With biodiversity undergoing threats from climate change and habitat loss, collaborative efforts are increasingly important. Legal scholars are well positioned to encourage laws and policies that support collaborative efforts such as we described that are vital to protect biodiversity.”

Fischman has been an adjunct professor at the O’Neill School since 2007, and Meretsky, who also is an affiliate associate professor at the Mauer School, has been with O’Neill since 1997.

O’Neill-Presbyterian Fellowship Welcomes First Recipient

Posted on by Ken Bikoff

Ndayishimiye Florence, who recently earned her undergraduate degree in political science from Presbyterian College, is first recipient of the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs-Presbyterian Fellowship.

Photo of Ndayishimiye Florence
Ndayishimiye Florence

A native of Tanzania, Florence and her parents survived the Rwandan and Burundian Genocide during the mid-1990s to settle in Dillon, South Carolina. After enrolling at Presbyterian College, Florence became a leader on campus as a founding member and current secretary of PC’s first NAACP chapter and president of the Political Science Club. Her senior research focused on the effects of British versus French colonialism in African countries, combining statistical analysis with case studies. Her honors research project in political science was an extension of that project.

Florence plans to focus on a nonprofit or diplomatic path at the O’Neill School.

“As I’ve grown older, I’ve always wondered why the things my family went through happened in the first place,” Florence said. “That’s how I got interested in politics – finding ways to learn from that experience and affect change. “It starts with individuals. Nothing changes if we don’t change or bring about awareness or make some changes ourselves. If we wait for everybody else to do it, we’re just saying maybe.”

The O’Neill-Presbyterian Fellowship was established in 2021 to provide PC students the chance to pursue their graduate education with the top-ranked public affairs school in the nation.

“This partnership is about developing opportunities,” said Siân Mooney, dean of the O’Neill School. “Our programs equip students with the real-world tools they need to make a difference, and this partnership will only serve to create a positive impact. We’re excited to welcome Ndayishimiye to our school and look forward to future collaborations with Presbyterian College students.”

The O’Neill School is a world leader in public and environmental affairs and is the largest school of public administration and public policy in the United States. In the 2023 “Best Graduate Public Affairs Programs” by U.S. News & World Report, O’Neill ranks first in the country. Additionally, five of its specialty programs are ranked in the top-five listings, including top rankings for its nonprofit management, public finance and budgeting, and environmental policy and management programs.

Upcoming graduate Max Frausto takes MSHM experience to role outside the hospital

Posted on by Colin Kulpa

With the stresses on the healthcare system created by COVID-19, those in the healthcare field might be feeling a lot of mental burnout. Even students might feel unsatisfied with the career options they think lie ahead.

But in Max Frausto’s case, this upcoming O’Neill and Kelley School of Business Master of Science in Healthcare Management graduate is taking what he learned in the program to a job outside of a hospital, and to a role where he can take the skills he learned and help to push the healthcare field forward.

In a Q&A with O’Neill, Frausto shared how his experience helped him grow his leadership skills and set him up for success.

O: What were you doing before you went back for your MS?

F: I was a recent graduate (May 2021) from O’Neill where I received my Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Policy. My prior experience included interning at IU Health’s Children’s Therapy Center as a data analyst. In addition, I worked for the American Red Cross, Indiana Region, as an intern for their operations department.

O: What made you want to go back for your MS?

F: I strive for continuous improvement in all aspects of my professional career. I knew that in order to accomplish my career ambitions, I would need to pursue a master’s degree. Enrolling in the MSHM program would help foster my development of leadership skills that I can transfer to the workplace. In addition, I wanted to build a strong network of aspiring professionals who I know I can rely upon in my career.

O: What made you pick the MSHM offered by O’Neill and Kelley (School of Business)?

F: What attracted me to this program was the partnership between O’Neill and Kelley. Both schools consistently earn high rankings for their graduate programs. Kelley does an excellent job of helping me develop the necessary skills to make sound business decisions within the healthcare landscape. O’Neill’s faculty are renowned for their policy expertise and learning directly from them has been an invaluable experience. Being able to access both of their alumni networks has opened numerous doors for me in my young professional career. Lastly, the opportunity to complete the degree within one year played a large influence in my decision to continue my education at Indiana University.

O: What makes the program a great launch pad for a post-grad career?

F: The MSHM program’s curriculum thoroughly prepares students for leadership positions within the healthcare industry. Students can take part in a practicum site with an organization where they are tasked with leading a team in solving today’s healthcare problems. This invaluable experience exposes students to the healthcare landscape and gives them the opportunity to interact with highly experienced professionals daily. In addition, the program offers numerous certifications through Franklin Covey that help students become effective leaders within the workplace. Employers are aware of the rigorous curriculum offered by both Kelley and O’Neill which sets us apart from other candidates during the interview process.

O: Tell us about what you’ll be doing in your new job? How has the MSHM prepared you for it?

F: I will be working for Baker Tilly US starting this August. I will be a consultant with their healthcare team at their headquarters in Chicago. As a consultant, I will be tasked with solving complex healthcare problems from clients who seek to optimize the delivery of their services. The MSHM program has thoroughly prepared me for my future role. Courses such as Operations Management, Quantitative Analysis, and Healthcare Finance have been beneficial in developing my newly acquired skill set. In addition, I am thankful for the opportunities within the program that have allowed me to collaborate with my peers. In consulting, teamwork and effective communication are an essential part of the job. I thank the MSHM program for exposing me to these aspects of project management that will help me be successful at Baker Tilly US.

O: If you were recommending the program to a friend, what would you tell them?

F: I would emphasize the amount of support I feel within the program. Faculty, staff, and your cohort want to see you succeed within this space. It is a very transparent space where we help one another accomplish our professional goals. Regardless of your academic background, the program sets you up perfectly to become a transformational healthcare leader.

Learn more about the MS in Healthcare Management program

Upcoming graduate Hallie Cohoon pursues passions with MSHM program

Posted on by Colin Kulpa

Hallie Cohoon, an upcoming O’Neill and Kelley graduate studying for a Master of Science in Healthcare Management (MSHM), knew she wanted to be involved in healthcare, but knew she wasn’t set on working in a hospital when she started her journey.

Cohoon shared her answers to questions on her decision to join the MSHM program, how she pursued her passions, and how O’Neill and Kelley helped her reach her goals.

Now, she’s about to enter the industry as a consultant. After completing the MSHM program, Cohoon knows that she can pursue her passions and make a difference even outside of a traditional healthcare setting.

O: What were you doing before you went back for your MS?

C: Prior to the MSHM program, I went to Miami University where I studied public health and graduated in the Spring of 2021. Two weeks later, I jumped right into the MSHM program. I knew that I wanted to work in healthcare, but was unsure what sector or role, so when I found this MSHM opportunity I knew it would be the perfect chance to develop as a leader and find what interests me the most.

O: What made you want to go back for your MS?

C: I loved the idea of getting a second degree, not only to help me in my job search, but to help me develop my skills to the next level, and this program does just that. If you are interested in working in healthcare but not sure exactly what kind of role interests you the most, this program helps aid in finding your passion.

O: What made you pick the MSHM offered by O’Neill and Kelley (School of Business)?

C: I chose this MSHM program because finding a one-year program that offers a degree in two very prestigious schools is not very common. I also saw that there was an opportunity for a hands-on internship with a healthcare professional that would help me gain real-life experience. My practicum experience with IU Health has been monumental to my growth and by far my favorite experience this year.

O: What makes the program a great launch pad for a post-grad career?

C: This program provides a mastery of healthcare literacy, business acumen, data analytics, problem solving, leadership and emotional intelligence, as well as career foresight – the six competencies of the program. Having these skills as a young professional that I am able to use in my future career is truly amazing. On top of that, one of the key highlights of the program that I personally love is how much Kelley and O’Neill provide for your future career. They teach you how to network, prep for interviews, aid in making connections to various companies, and help in any other way that you may need. It is so clear how much they care about each individual’s success.

O: Tell us about what you’ll be doing in your new job? How has the MSHM prepared you for it?

C: After graduation, I will be working at Grant Thornton as a transformation consulting associate in their healthcare sector. I found an interest in consulting through various case studies and projects that are a part of the MSHM program, which gave me a profound interest in working in collaborative teams to solve complex issues. The MSHM program has prepared me for this role in a variety of ways. Not only has my confidence in public speaking significantly improved, which I will be using with future clients, but I have also mastered all six program competencies, how to be a leader, and very importantly how to mitigate bias in the workplace. Having these skills will be extremely helpful in my consulting role.

O: If you were recommending the program to a friend, what would you tell them?

C: This program was the best decision of my life. I have become a much more confident and well-rounded individual as a result of the overwhelming amount of support and encouragement by both the faculty and staff, as well as by my amazing cohort. The cohort that you spend the year working with turns into a family, and being able to bounce talents and skills off one another helps everyone grow and learn something new. The program will provide you with amazing lifelong skills in all six of the core competencies that you will be able to use throughout your entire career.

Learn more about the MS in Healthcare Management program

Attari, Glaholt earn Campus Catalyst Awards

Posted on by Ken Bikoff

Two faculty members from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs have earned Campus Catalyst Awards from Indiana University, which recognizes individuals, departments, and offices that have made a significant difference in the classroom, on campus, and within the community, and that exemplify IU’s continuing efforts to become a sustainable institution and set an example for environmental stewardship and responsibility.

Photo of Shahzeen Attari and Chip Glaholt
Shahzeen Attari (left) and Chip Glaholt

Associate Professor Shahzeen Attari was honored for her Excellence in Teaching in sustainability, while Research Faculty Chip Glaholt was recognized for his Outstanding Mentorship in sustainability. The awards are handed out by Sustain IU, which identifies and promotes sustainable solutions that reduce environmental impacts while supporting an equitable and prosperous IU. Honorees are nominated by their students and peers.

Attari earned her award by developing pedagogy and curriculum which reinforces and advances principles of sustainability through course design and instruction. Her contributions were measured on their impact and level of innovation.

“I feel honored,” said Attari, who earned the award for a second time after having previously garnered the honor in 2014. “This award is dedicated to all my teachers and all my students. These roles commonly switch, and I have learned a lot from my students over the years.”

The Outstanding Mentorship Award focuses on faculty or staff who have made an impact mentoring and guiding a student in addressing sustainability challenges with overlapping and complex ecological, social, and economic dimensions.

“I’m honored by this award and to be nominated by my student is truly heartwarming,” Glaholt said. “The role Sustain IU plays in providing IU the knowledge and ideas to move forward sustainably is critical for IU’s long-term success, and I feel privileged to be a part of this effort. My work with the Sustainable Scholars Program and Co-chair of the Energy in the Built Environment Working Group have been some of the most rewarding campus activities in my 15 years at IU.”

New era begins for Washington Leadership Program as McLean retires, Volsky steps in

Posted on by ebatman

female faculty memberSince 2004, professor Donna McLean has been introducing undergraduate students to the inner workings of the D.C. policy scene through the Washington Leadership Program (WLP). This May, after 18 years leading the program, McLean will retire from Indiana University.

Since WLP’s inception, more than 700 students from IU Bloomington and IUPUI have spent a semester studying and interning in D.C. and many credit McLean for making their program experience special and formative. Joel Riethmiller, BSPA’05, one of McLean’s first WLP students, interned with former Indiana congressman Baron Hill in 2004. Today, Riethmiller is the founding partner for a D.C.-based government affairs firm.

“The Washington Leadership Program opened my eyes to new career opportunities and lifelong friendships. Donna was the consummate guide on how Washington works. I can unequivocally say that I would not be where I am today without Donna and WLP,” said Riethmiller.

Inside the classroom, McLean brought policymaking to life by drawing from firsthand experience. Before forming her own consulting firm, McLean, a transportation policy expert, held different senior positions within the Department of Transportation, served as a professional staff member of the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, and worked in the Office of Management and Budget. She also regularly used her connections to bring in senior-level guest speakers to lecture on different policy topics – a highlight for many WLP-ers.

McLean’s steady presence helped students navigate the transition to Washington even through government shutdowns, challenging presidential transitions, and the COVID-19 pandemic. To honor her service, former students—including Riethmiller—and others have created the Donna McLean Washington Leadership Program Scholarship. Those wishing to support the endowed scholarship may make a contribution online, which will help O’Neill students with financial need participate in WLP.

Ushering in a new administration

male faculty memberAdjunct instructor Brian Volsky will step in to lead WLP following McLean’s retirement. No stranger to the program, Volsky is an IU alumnus who spent his WLP semester interning with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Japanese Affairs.

Like McLean, Volsky brings plenty of firsthand experience to draw from in the classroom. As a senior investigative counsel with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), Volsky reviews allegations of whistleblower retaliation, administrative misconduct of senior officials, and other areas focusing on broad or systemic issues within the agency. Previously, Volsky was the director of the Whistleblower Protection Unit at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s OIG. A Harvard Law graduate, Volsky also spent several years as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he advised on export control and sanctions law and represented the Bureau of Industry and Security in administrative enforcement actions under the Export Administration Regulations.

Any undergraduate student at IU Bloomington or IUPUI interested applying to WLP can learn more about the program on the WLP webpages.

O’Neill Cayman Islands Spring Break program gives students life changing research, field experience

Posted on by Colin Kulpa

Spring break in the Cayman Islands conducting research in one of the worlds’ most unique ecosystems while earning course credits? That’s a class worth taking.

Instructor Stephen Glaholt’s E482 course, “Coral Reef Restoration & Conservation,” includes a Spring Break trip to the Cayman Islands where students learn about and conduct their own research at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, which works to study and preserve the natural ecosystems present in the Cayman Islands with a focus on coral reefs and coral restoration. Emma Campolattara, a junior studying environmental management at O’Neill, heard from a friend about the unique course, and after hearing how research-heavy and academic-focused the trip would be, she knew it was for her.

The students conducted various research projects alongside the CCMI teams. Campolattara and her partner began a research proposal weeks before the trip aiming to look at the biodiversity of mollusks in tide pools, including methodology and other aspects of a research proposal. She also learned more about sustainable living.

“Being an environmental student, I try to live sustainably,” Campolattara said. “But I think that being a part of a community for that week, being in a small island country where resources are very limited, what you have is very valuable. Getting perspective on the value of resources was very interesting.”

A Cayman Islands student poses for a photo while snorkeling.

IUPUI student Megan Hill was interested in a study abroad program during the spring and was pointed to the O’Neill Cayman Islands program, which matched her environmental interests. She attended classes online throughout the semester and met up with fellow students from Bloomington when it was time to go to the Caribbean.

Hill’s project consisted of studying the queen conch, which is significant to the area’s economy and biodiversity. Hill looked at the success of protective zones established for the queen conch compared to the unprotected hunting zones by measuring adult and juvenile populations.

Hill discovered that protective zones were more effective at preserving the species but found fewer juvenile queen conches than adults overall, a troubling sign for the species. Additionally, she was limited to studying in shallow water, which could impact the results of the research. Luckily, Hill said the project will continue long-term at CCMI.

“I am so glad I did this,” Hill said. “It gave me a lot of confidence in creating my own research project in the field by hand, and I gained that as a skill through that experience. It was an exciting way to get out of the classroom, and I experienced a lot.”

Campolattara didn’t think she would be able to study abroad in college due to financial constraints, but the O’Neill course allowed her to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“The fact I was able to go with help from the O’Neill International scholarship program and the Hutton Honors [College]—what other time in your life will you be paid to go out of the country and have this experience?” Campolattara said. “You’re with your peers, not ones you necessarily know but ones of similar age and interest. There’s really no other time in your life you can do this kind of thing.”

Fulton receives PACE grant to study faith-based and secular foundations

Posted on by Ken Bikoff

Brad Fulton

Brad Fulton, an associate professor at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement to conduct research on faith-based and secular foundations.

The award, which is shared with Allison Ralph at the Aspen Institute Religion and Society Program, provides funding for their Faith in Philanthropy project that analyzes Form 990 data to examine both public and private foundations, differentiate between faith-based and secular foundations, and compare their characteristics. The public foundation portion of the study found that 24 percent of all public charities operate as foundations, and 17 percent of those foundations are faith-based.

“These findings provide the first-ever estimates for the field of public foundations,” Fulton said. “Based on our analyses and calculations using data from the nonprofit sector, we found that roughly 52,000 of the approximately 300,000 public foundations are faith-based and they contributed at least $8 billion to charitable causes in 2015.”

The project additionally examined faith-based and secular public foundations and compared their demographics, government funding, and grant distributions, including the location to which the grants were distributed.

“This project enables us to better understand the similarities and differences between faith-based and secular foundations,” Fulton said. “It further helps us understand the scale and impact of faith-based foundations, and it showcases the influence religion has on philanthropy. This new grant will enable us to examine private foundations in the same light and build an important data set to help us understand the differences in how public and private foundations operate.”

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