Faces of IUPUI

IUPUI Chancellor Nasser Paydar

Nasser H. Paydar

Fifth Chancellor of IUPUI

When IUPUI Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar was just a teenager, his father impressed upon him the need to take his education as far as he could.

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James Taylor

James Taylor

CEO of John Boner Neighborhood Centers, Friend of IUPUI

For more than two decades, James Taylor has been a catalyst for the urban renewal and revitalization of Indianapolis' eastside.

Read J. Taylor's story
Claudia Dille

Claudia Dille

Retired Nurse, Friend of IUPUI

Claudia Dille coupled her love for science and her desire to give back to the community to create a notable career as a nurse, educator, mentor, and advocate. 

Read Dille's story
Abdullah Alzeer

Abdullah Alzeer

Alumnus, Class of 2019

"Some might say my biggest achievement was finishing my Ph.D. ... I think my biggest accomplishment is my six years of ... community service and engagement."

Read Alzeer's story
Shannon McCullough

Shannon McCullough

Assistant Dean, Herron School of Art and Design

Shannon McCullough made IU history as part of the largest group of black women to receive doctorates at the same time.

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Luis Franco

Luis Franco

Consul General of Mexico, Friend of IUPUI

Luis Franco represents the government of the only country in the world with a full-time Consulate office in Indianapolis.

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Logan Bromm

Logan Bromm

Junior, Resident Assistant

"I am a first-generation college student. ... I constantly remind myself how blessed and lucky I am to have this incredible opportunity."

Read Bromm's story
Wilhelmenia Warren

Wilhelmenia Warren

Custodian, Campus Facility Services

"The people here are friendly and very open-hearted. I love encouraging others and to see people smile brightens my day."

Read Warren's story
Zach Carrico

Zach Carrico

Senior, Herron School of Art and Design

"At IUPUI, I was able to ... mature within my photography and artwork to articulate what queer identity means to me."

Read Carrico's story
Dr. Virginia Caine

Virginia Caine

Marion County Public Health Department Director, Friend of IUPUI

Dr. Virginia Caine's pioneering work has improved public health in Indianapolis.

Read Caine's story
Andre Zhang Sonera

André Zhang Sonera

Alumnus, Class of 2016

Passionate about civic engagement and community service, André Zhang Sonera propelled himself into a career in public affairs.  

Read Zhang Sonera's story
Former IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz

Charles R. Bantz

Fourth Chancellor of IUPUI

Chancellor Charles Bantz led campus through a period of incredible growth, helping to reinforce the role of IUPUI as a 21st century university.

Read Bantz's story
Abby Boatman

Abby Boatman

Senior, IUPUI Volleyball Player

"Looking back ... the qualities of IUPUI that attracted me to the school held true. My time at IUPUI not only met my expectations, but exceeded them."

Read Boatman's story
Khalilah Shabazz

Khalilah Shabazz

Director, IUPUI Multicultural Center

Khalilah Shabazz likens her journey from an 18-year-old single parent to a doctor of higher education to that of a butterfly.

Read Shabazz's story
Jordan Nelsen

Jordan Nelsen

Alumna, Class of 2018

Since she was a little girl, Jordan Nelsen knew that she wanted to be an artist — a passion that she has put to use in unique and life-changing ways.

Read Nelsen's story
Ralph Taylor

Ralph Taylor

Radio Color Analyst for Purdue University men's basketball, Friend of IUPUI

Ralph Taylor has made a name for himself as a champion for diversity and inclusion.

Read R. Taylor's story
Diane Billings

Diane Billings

Associate Dean Emerita, School of Nursing

"My career was propelled by a vision of excellence in teaching. Think big and realize that change is good."

Read Billings' story
Jake Manaloor at the Roman ruins in Jordan.

Jake Manaloor

Alumnus, Class of 2000 and 2003

Former Undergraduate Student Government president Jake Manaloor was one of the first Jinx mascosts, which made its official appearance in 1999.  

Read Manaloor's story
Ali Emswiller

Ali Emswiller

Graduate Student, Jagathon Vice President of Finance

"My involvement with Jagathon has given me so much pride in my campus that I know I will carry with me forever."

Read Emswiller's story
Kim Merritt

Kim Merritt

Director of Alumni Programs, Office of Alumni Relations

"I ... remember leaving a psychology class during my senior year and thinking that I would like to work at IUPUI ... someday."

Read Merritt's story
Former IUPUI Chancellor Gerald Bepko.

Gerald L. Bepko

Third Chancellor of IUPUI

Chancellor Gerald Bepko's vision ultimately established IUPUI as a leading urban university, ranked among the highest in its peer group.

Read Bepko's story
Breon Johnson

Breon Johnson

Senior, Diversity Enrichment and Achievement Program mentor

Since his arrival at IUPUI, Breon Johnson has immersed himself in the campus community.

Read B. Johnson's story
Cindy Harkness sits at her desk.

Cindy Harkness

Senior Programs Coordinator, Division of Enrollment Management

Cindy Harkness exemplifies IUPUI's welcoming spirit.

Read Harkness' story
Virginia Harrison

Virginia Harrison

Alumna, Class of 1972

School of Education alumna Virginia Harrison and IUPUI have something special in common: they share a January 24 birthday.

Read Harrison's story
Joseph Taylor

Joseph T. Taylor

First Dean of the School of Liberal Arts

Dr. Joseph T. Taylor was an integral partner in the creation of the new IUPUI campus in 1969.

Read Dr. Taylor's story
Nina Mason Pulliam

Nina Mason Pulliam

Former Journalist, Friend of IUPUI

Through the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars Program at IUPUI, Pulliam's legacy continues to impact and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Read Pulliam's story
Damon Spight

Damon Spight

Academic Support Specialist, School of Dentistry

“What attracted me to IUPUI is the culture of learning and growth, not only for students, but also for staff."

Read Spight's story
Keith Anliker

Keith Anliker

Senior Lecturer, School of Science

"I just love higher education and how we do it at IUPUI. It is such an optimistic endeavor.

Read Anliker's story
Sohin Shah.

Sohin Shah

Graduate Student, School of Engineering and Technology

Sohin Shah was unsure about living in a new city, but the diverse community he found at IUPUI gave him a sense of home.

Read Shah's story
Mariana Lopez-Owens

Mariana Lopez-Owens

Alumna, Class of 2014

"Attending IUPUI was life changing. Had it not been for all of the opportunities afforded to me ... I wouldn't have had the support I needed to achieve my dreams."

Read Lopez-Owens' story
Former Chancellor Glenn Irwin delivers the State of the Campus address in 1982.

Glenn W. Irwin, Jr.

Second Chancellor of IUPUI

Revered for his kindhearted nature, Dr. Glenn W. Irwin, Jr. was appointed IUPUI's second chancellor in 1973, and his lasting impact on IUPUI cannot be overstated.

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James Kendrick

James Kendrick

Stacks Manager, University Library

James Kendrick has been a fixture in IUPUI's University Library for more than 30 years.

Read Kendrick's story
Alpha Blackburn.

Alpha Blackburn

President and CEO of Blackburn Architects, Inc., Friend of IUPUI

Alpha Blackburn is a tireless advocate for the arts and a champion for education at IUPUI and beyond.

Read Blackburn's story
Nate Mugg

Nate Mugg

Alumnus, Class of 2006 and 2017

As Lead Creative Designer at the Multimedia Production Center, Nate Mugg uses his artistic talents to support student programs and organizations.

Read Mugg's story
Michael Stottlemyer.

Michael Stottlemyer

Senior, Paw's Pantry Chairman and SAPB President

"You take care of yourself, you get yourself the bare necessities, but with everything else, you need to help other people."

Read Stottlemyer's story
Taylor Rhodes

Taylor Rhodes

Alumna, Class of 2012 and 2018

"To me, community service is something you should do ... to make everyone great. To make yourself great, the whole community has to be great."

Read Rhodes' story
Lacy Johnson

Lacy Johnson

Partner at Ice Miller LLP, Friend of IUPUI

Lacy Johnson exemplifies a spirit of service that far surpasses everyday expectations.

Read L. Johnson's story
Lorraine Blackman

Lorraine Blackman

Associate Professor Emerita, School of Social Work

Lorraine Blackman came to IUPUI in 1992 as a member of the largest cohort of African-American faculty in IUPUI history.

Read Blackman's story
Supriya Chittajallu

Supriya Chittajallu

Sophomore, IUPUI Regatta Arts and Culture Fair Coordinator

"I attended Regatta as a freshman, and it was the event that served as my 'a-ha' moment ... I officially became Jaguar."

Read Chittajallu's story
Linda Durr

Linda Durr

Administrative Assistant, Office of Planning and Institutional Improvement

Linda Durr has witnessed IUPUI's growth firsthand through more than 45 years.

Read Durr's story
Priya Dave speaks at the podium during the 2018 IUPUI Top 100 celebration.

Priya Dave

Alumna, Class of 2018

"My time at IUPUI was transformational. The many opportunities I was afforded ... instilled in me lifelong passions and scholarly interests."

Read Dave's story
Merlin Gonzales

Merlin Gonzales

Founder and President of Faith Hope and Love Community, Inc., Friend of IUPUI

Merlin Gonzales works with Paw's Pantry to fight food insecurity at IUPUI.

Read Gonzales' story
Meghan Nowels

Meghan Nowels

Junior, President of The Moving Company at IUPUI

Meghan Nowels found her home at The Moving Company at IUPUI, where she can continue her passion for dance.

Read Nowels' story
Josh Skillman with the Indianapolis skyline behind him.

Josh Skillman

Associate Dean of Students and Director of Housing and Residence Life

Josh Skillman's job is to make students feel at home in their IUPUI housing.

Read Skillman's story
Kristi Palmer in the book stacks balancing a book on her head.

Kristi Palmer

Interim Dean of IUPUI University Library

"My favorite thing about IUPUI is our community connectedness. We've really embraced that at University Library."

Read Palmer's story
Rafael Sanchez

Rafael Sanchez

RTV6 Investigative Reporter, Friend of IUPUI

Rafael Sanchez loves giving back to the Indianapolis community — something he and IUPUI have in common.

Read Sanchez's story
Etta Ward.

Etta Ward

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Development

Etta Ward doesn't call her IUPUI journey unique, but it is certainly a story of hard work and perseverance. 

Read Ward's story
Will Smith

Will Smith

Senior, OTEAM leader

Will Smith embodies what it means for IUPUI to be a welcoming campus. As an OTEAM leader, Smith creates positive first impressions of IUPUI.

Read Smith's story
David Nguyen speaks with race judges at the 2009 IUPUI Regatta.

David Nguyen

Alumnus, Class of 2006

Born to Vietnamese immigrant parents after they settled in Indianapolis, David Nguyen followed in his mother's footsteps when he chose IUPUI.

Read Nguyen's story
Maynard K. Hine

Maynard K. Hine

First Chancellor of IUPUI

Well before he helped lead efforts to create an urban university called IUPUI, Dr. Maynard K. Hine was already helping his fellow Hoosiers.

Read Hine's story

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