University of Indianapolis: Communicating, Collaborating, Decision-Making
The University of Indianapolis (UIndy) is a small liberal arts institution, located in
Indianapolis, Indiana that serves approximately 5,000 students. The university is accredited by
the Higher Learning Commission and a national survey found that students ranked UIndy faculty
near the top in accessibility and helpfulness. Not surprisingly, given this student-centered
approach, faculty members within the School of Education (SOE) and the College of Arts and
Sciences (CAS) at UIndy are committed to navigating the volatile waters of higher education
collaboration. In 2002, the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher
Education (AILACTE) recognized UIndy as a program of distinction for the efforts made by
both SOE and CAS in the creation of the Center of Excellence in Leadership for Learning
(CELL). These two programs came together again in 2007 to create the Woodrow Wilson
Teaching Fellowship Program.
Not surprisingly, the UIndy Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship Program has established
partnerships with the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, the Metropolitan School
District of Decatur Township, and the Indianapolis Public Schools. The relationship between
UIndy SOE and these three urban districts has been in place for more than five years.
Historically, the relationship between UIndy and these schools has been typical as defined by
Johnston (1997), but with the opportunity of creating the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellows
Program the university decided to embark on a more reciprocal and dynamic experience for both
university and K-12 faculties. Additionally, the K-12 partners were excited about this
opportunity and willing to engage in program development activities with the UIndy faculties in
efforts to grow their own future colleagues and have a more prominent voice in the teacher
education process.