INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana College will establish a science and technology corridor in downtown Indianapolis to increase degree completion ( STEM ). This is part of the ongoing restructuring of the 536-acre campus in central Indiana.
The IU SciTech Corridor will begin at the corner of Michigan and West streets, one of the downtown campus' main entrances, and will encompass about four blocks housing both IU and Purdue programs, IU President Pamela Whitten announced Friday during a board of trustees meeting.
The proposal builds on calls from a recent Governor's Workforce Cabinet report urging Indiana leaders to use digital technologies to strengthen science, technology, engineering and math ( STEM) education to meet the needs of high-tech employers in battery technology, semiconductors and microelectronics.
"By working seamlessly with state and business partners, we'll advance certificate and research programs that meet targeted regional workforce needs and establish Indiana College as a cornerstone for the state and business community to achieve economic and workforce development goals," Whitten said.
Victor Smith, a partner at Bose, McKinney & Evans and former Indiana secretary of commerce, will oversee the project, which doesn't necessarily require the construction of new buildings, Whitten said.
The corridor will complement the existing 16 Tech Innovation District and utilize expanded research programs, new lab space and STEM study opportunities for IU students to attract talent to the faculty and increase enrollment in STEM programs.
"IU's announcement is the latest addition to the growing innovation ecosystem in downtown Indianapolis," said Emily Krueger, president and CEO of 16 Tech Community Corp, in a written statement. "As IU expands its research programs and capabilities in Indianapolis, 16 Tech stands ready to help IU commercialize technologies, advance its commitment to industry partnerships and accelerate job creation in the Indy region
IU also plans to expand multidisciplinary research projects involving the new IU Indianapolis School of Science with the IU School of Medicine, the IU School of Nursing and other health science schools, Whitten said.
The creation of the corridor coincides with IUPUI's transition to IU Indianapolis in 2024. In August, trustees from both universities agreed to drop the IUPUI name and expand their Indiana operations separately. IU announced it'll rename the campus Indiana College Indianapolis to increase enrollment and establish IU as one of the nation's leading urban research universities.
Since that announcement, a group of 10 working groups has met regularly to facilitate the transition, Whitten said. The college has also assembled a "dream team" of business and community leaders led by Julie Magid, associate dean for faculty and research at IU Indianapolis, and Nate Feltman, CEO of IBJ Media.
The transition is expected to be complete by the fall 2024 semester.
