O’Neill’s Community and Organizational Leadership Studies degree marks first new degree for IU Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis is launching a new degree program this fall to help grow leaders across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. It’s the first new degree program approved for IU Indianapolis under its new structure and name.
The Community and Organizational Leadership Studies program offers a bachelor’s degree, minor, and certificate option. The IU Board of Trustees approved the degree path in spring 2024 and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education gave the green light in July.
The COLS program is specifically designed to meet the needs of transfer students, returning students, and students who are veterans as they work toward completing their degrees and taking on management roles in their careers.
“This COLS program provides students with training that transcends job titles,” says O’Neill’s Associate Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management Suzann Lupton. “Being able to lead effectively is a critical skill that is applicable in every sector of our society.”
O’Neill School Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Leadership Programs Liz Wager spearheaded the launch of the new degree. Wager says offering a degree, minor, and certificate expands the program’s relevance and appeal, increasing options for students.
“Leadership does not require a title or position of power,” she says. “It requires an understanding of how to influence others to become the positive change agents needed to navigate today’s complex public, political, and organizational challenges.”
The education COLS students receive will allow them to improve organizations and their communities, helping fulfil the O’Neill School’s mission of making the world a better place for all.
“The O’Neill School attracts students from all walks and phases of life who share a desire and passion to make a difference in the world,” Lupton says. “Whether that happens in a human resources job, the public policy sphere, or within a nonprofit, the new Community and Organizational Leadership Studies program provides a path for any student of any age to learn to lead where they are now and in the future.”
The program adds seven new courses to O’Neill Indianapolis’ roster for its COLS bachelor’s degree and four new courses for its COLS minor. This is the sixth major available to undergraduate students at O’Neill Indianapolis, adding to the school’s existing Criminal Justice, Management and Civic Leadership, Public Policy, Public Safety Management, and Sustainable Management and Policy majors.