IU expands Group Scholars Program to Indianapolis
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Indiana University is expanding its Groups Scholars Program to its Indianapolis campus—the school’s latest effort to support students who have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education.
The program supports first-generation college students and those with socioeconomic barriers as they work toward a bachelor’s degree. The university says admitted students receive academic, financial and social support.
“The inaugural year of IU Indianapolis is the perfect time to launch the Groups Scholars Program in the capital city,” IU Indianapolis Chancellor Latha Ramchand said in a news release. “Supporting student success is our top strategic priority, and the Groups Program will add to services that enhance access and opportunities for our students.”
Indiana University Indianapolis officially launched July 1, when Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, founded in 1969 and known as IUPUI, separated. Purdue launched Purdue University in Indianapolis, which it considers an extension of its main campus in West Lafayette.
The Groups Scholars Program was created at IU Bloomington in 1968 and over the past two years expanded to include IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend and IU Southeast. The expansion to all campuses is among the initiatives led by IU President Pamela Whitten, hired in 2021, to improve access to education and bolster student support, the university said.
The inaugural cohort at the Indianapolis campus will include 80 to 100 scholars. Groups Scholars receive academic advising, tutoring and enrollment in specialized courses, among other support services. Students who are admitted to the program live on campus for about six weeks during the summer before their first year, taking courses toward their degree while being introduced to the campus and establishing a network of social and academic support.
“Bringing the Groups Program to Indianapolis is like coming full circle; it propelled me to success,” Eric Williams, senior executive director of educational equity programs at IU Indianapolis, said in the release. Williams grew up in East Chicago and is an alumnus of Groups Scholars at IU Bloomington.
“The staff there was so supportive, helping with academic support, financial aid support — with life support,” he said.
For more information on the IU Indianapolis program and eligibility requirements, email groupsin@iu.edu.