Throughout the summer, students in the online Master of Public Affairs program at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs have been logging in from across the country, balancing their professional careers and personal lives while pursuing growth in a virtual classroom.
But each year during O’Neill Online Week, those digital borders dissolve.
Students in the online MPA gathered in Bloomington this week to meet face-to-face, building on their virtual relationships to forge in person experiences and connections. The week serves as an intensive, immersive experience where students translate classroom theory into tangible public service. It also provides students an opportunity to test their skills by working directly with community clients to deliver real-world solutions.
“I did Online Week last year, and I had a wonderful experience,” said Anne-Therese Ryan, the executive director of the Human Relations Commission for the City of Terre Haute and a student in the program. “It has been such a great opportunity to really dive into a project and be immersed with a client, and there are so many things that connect back to my own work. And working together with the other people in my class makes everything so much more personal and builds connections.”
Online MPA students followed one of two paths developed in partnership with IU’s Center for Rural Engagement. One section of this year’s program, led by Clinical Assistant Professor Mitch Berg, saw students tackle regional economic development by partnering with Radius Indiana and Southern Indiana Trailways to explore how the Monon South Trail can serve as a catalyst for community development across southern Indiana.
The student team focused on building long-term momentum for the corridor. They developed targeted capacity-building and funding strategies for Southern Indiana Trailways to support ongoing operations and expansion. Recognizing that local communities need practical tools to leverage the trail’s momentum, the group also created a comprehensive toolkit. Designed to assist municipal leaders and planners, the toolkit offers guidance on land-use strategies that position neighboring towns to gain a distinct economic advantage from trail-oriented tourism and business growth.
Additionally, students aimed to enhance the organization and funding capacity of Southern Indiana Trailways to sustain the long-term success of the trail.
“The O’Neill students have taken their work very seriously, asking thoughtful and probing questions as they gain understanding of the issues at stake,” said Jeff Quyle, president and CEO of Radius Indiana. “They've pitched alternative options that will give us some capability to adjust as we implement their recommendations. They are helping our work on the Monon South Trail to move forward efficiently as we transition from the trail construction stage to the trail operational stage.”
A second section of the program, guided by Adjunct Instructor Trent Engbers, focused on youth development and community infrastructure in rural Indiana. Partnering with the Washington County Community Foundation, students were tasked with conceptualizing a dedicated youth center aimed primarily at children ages 7-13.
Specifically, the project aims to design a safe, engaging community space for youth recreation outside of school hours. Beyond providing a haven for kids, the team’s organizational and facility recommendations focused on developing a space where families could come together or youth-serving nonprofits could hold programming.
“I anticipate this work will be extremely beneficial,” said Judy Johnson, executive director at the Washington County Community Foundation. “The primary community leaders need a roadmap to get the center up and running. Without such guidance, I fear they would be too scattered in their start-up. The class asked great questions, and it was apparent they had completed their pre-work and conducted research. They have done a tremendous amount of work.”
Working shoulder-to-shoulder under tight deadlines forces team members to lean on one another’s diverse professional backgrounds—combining expertise from military, government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. By the time final presentations are delivered to clients, the participants have gained more than just three academic credits and hands-on consulting experience. They leave with a refreshed sense of purpose and an expanded professional network that spans the nation.
“I like to take advantage of opportunities that are not traditional learning,” said Anthony Crapisi, who is pursuing his MPA as part of O’Neill’s D.C. Accelerator Program. “This is hands-on learning, and I’m very passionate about building better communities. I'm always looking to build my network and connections. Everybody has different, unique backgrounds, and so I'm always fascinated to learn what other people do. I’m learning a lot about improving communities while also learning from the other people in my class.”
For more information about O’Neill’s Online MPA, visit the program’s website.