Indiana University’s Football Success: A Vision for Excellence in Education and Beyond
Indiana University’s recent football triumphs have put the state in the national spotlight, reminding Hoosiers that excellence requires a playbook built on vision, investment and execution. Indiana University President Pamela Whitten reflected on how success in athletics can inspire similar ambition in education and workforce development in an interview with the Big Ten Network:
“When I came to Indiana...I was hired with the vision of everything we do at Indiana University will be the best. We’re going to be the champions of everything, both academics and athletics.”
President Whitten expounded on this idea in her recent Washington Post op ed: “Institutions that succeed will be those that build cultures where vision is matched by follow-through, and where performance is measured consistently and accountability is embedded in daily practice."
As Hoosiers celebrate this historic achievement in program history, IU will continue to channel this momentum to support policies that strengthen education, workforce readiness and economic vitality. Indiana’s future success – on and off the field – starts with bold leadership today.
Read IU president Pamela Whitten's Washington Post op-ed here
Watch IU president Pamela Whitten’s Big Ten Network interview here
Governor Braun announces 2026 agenda and delivers State of the State address
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun delivered his second State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 14, to a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly in the Indiana House of Representatives chamber, on the same day he announced his 2026 Freedom and Opportunity Agenda. The State of the State highlighted Braun’s agenda, which builds on the progress achieved in 2025, and focuses on solutions for affordability, keeping Hoosiers safe, improving education quality and choice, and new jobs and higher wages.
Gov. Braun opened by saying, “In 2025 our message was clear: Indiana is open for business. Indiana’s real GDP is growing faster than the national rate. We’re growing double the rate of Illinois. Double the rate of Ohio. Triple the rate of Kentucky. And growing 6 times faster than Michigan. The time is now, and the place is Indiana, and the state of our state is strong! Affordability is our highest priority.”
At the end of his remarks, Braun stated, “My administration has people from up and down the state. We have Butler fans, Notre Dame fans, Purdue fans… But on Monday I expect to see all of them wearing cream and crimson! Go Hoosiers! On and off the football field, Indiana is winning big. We have secured big wins already to make life more affordable for Hoosier workers, and there’s much more to do. Together, we can make Indiana the state where your dollar goes further, where opportunity abounds for all who are willing to work hard, and where every Hoosier worker can build the life they deserve.”
IU President Pamela Whitten attended the State of the State address again this year, her fifth as president.
Watch the address
Read the address
Read Gov. Braun’s 2026 Freedom and Opportunity Agenda
State Update
The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This State Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking that have had activity during the fourth week of session.
Read the State Update
Federal Update
This week’s Federal Update covers Congressional and Executive Branch activities of interest in Washington, D.C.
Read the Federal Update
Economic Engagement Update
Bloomington’s Trades District Mural: Call for Proposals
Indiana University, in partnership with the Kiln Collective, the Mill, and the City of Bloomington, seeks a community artist or artist team to create a signature mural for an outdoor location in Bloomington's Trades District. Bloomington community artists and artist teams age 18 and over are invited to submit proposals for an original mural that celebrates the past, present, and future of the Trades District. Artists or teams must be based in or primarily serving the Bloomington community.
Learn more about the Trades District mural
Kelley Indianapolis launches new Business of Sports co-major
Indiana University Kelley School of Business Indianapolis is launching its Business of Sports co-major to meet the needs of Indiana’s talent pipeline and beyond. The program is designed to develop an innovative talent pool ready to make an impact in the sports industry. The Business of Sports co-major adds 15-credit hours to Kelley’s six core majors: accounting, finance, human resource management, marketing, and supply chain management. Co-major classes will be offered beginning August 2026.
Learn more about the new Kelley co-major
Carnegie Community Engagement Classification awarded to 3 IU campuses
Indiana University’s Bloomington, Indianapolis and Southeast campuses have earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification from the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
The campuses are among 237 institutions awarded the designation this year. It is given to institutions that exemplify American higher education’s commitment to the greater good through community partnership, sharing knowledge and resources to enrich scholarship, research and creative activity; catalyze real-world learning experiences for students; and engage and equip citizens to fuel innovation and build prosperity.
Learn more about IU's 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classifications
IU in the News
Hoosier Nation’s guide to College Football Playoff National Championship weekend
The Indiana University Hoosiers are heading to the College Football Playoff National Championship game for the first time ever. IU will face the University of Miami Hurricanes at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Whether you plan to cheer the team on from the stands, at a local watch party or at home, Hoosier Nation plays an important role in celebrating this historic moment.
Read the full story
New IU Public Safety Education Center makes safety courses available to anyone
Indiana University Public Safety has launched a new education center to provide safety courses to the public. The IU Public Safety Education Center will offer a wide range of courses, including a basic detective school, police mountain biking, autism for first responders and crime prevention through environmental design. Some classes are designed for first responders, law enforcement officials and public safety professionals, while others are available to anyone regardless of work experience.
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Music therapy research program helps Indiana residents recovering from opioid use disorder
A team of music therapy researchers at Indiana University Indianapolis is partnering with Hoosier communities to help residents recover from chronic opioid use. The team was recently awarded $310,000 through a State Opioid Response Grant from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addictions. The funds will help the program expand, demonstrating IU’s leadership in finding innovative, effective solutions for addiction recovery and mental health across the Hoosier state. In Marion County, the team led by Kate Myers-Coffman, visiting assistant professor of music therapy in the Herron School of Art and Design, has been building a music therapy protocol through a partnership with the Indianapolis Comprehensive Treatment Center, a state-funded outpatient opioid treatment facility.
Read the full story
