By Debbie Ford, Chancellor, Indiana University Southeast
NEW ALBANY, Ind. (January 22, 2026) – Higher education across the nation is experiencing a period of profound change. Workforce needs are evolving, student expectations are shifting, technology continues to reshape learning, and demographic trends are influencing how universities serve their regions. At Indiana University Southeast, we believe the most responsible response to this changing landscape is to be proactive, transparent, and strategic—always with our students and community at the center.
That is why this semester, IU Southeast will undertake a comprehensive review of our academic structure. This effort will be guided by a process facilitator from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), a national organization that works closely with public regional universities like ours. Their role is to provide an informed perspective—grounded in national best practices—to help ensure our academic organization is well positioned to support student success, faculty excellence, and regional impact for the future.
This review is not about cutting corners or diminishing our mission. It is about strengthening our ability to deliver high-quality, relevant education in a sustainable way. Our goal is to ensure IU Southeast remains agile, student-centered, and closely aligned with the workforce and economic needs of Southern Indiana and the greater Louisville region.
A faculty-led task force is guiding this work in partnership with the AASCU facilitator. Throughout the semester, the group will engage faculty, staff, students, alumni, community leaders, and campus leadership to examine how academic units are organized, how programs are delivered, and how resources are aligned with institutional priorities. This will be a collaborative and transparent process, with no predetermined outcomes.
It is likely that this review could result in changes to our current six-school academic structure. However, I want to reassure our campus and community that our academic programs will remain. The focus is not on elimination, but on exploring whether programs could be better supported, more connected, better aligned, or more efficient within a different structure. The intent is to strengthen what already works and position IU Southeast for long-term success.
Similar reviews have taken place on other Indiana University campuses and public universities nationwide. This type of review is a normal and responsible practice in higher education, particularly as institutions work to be strong stewards of public and private resources.
In recent years, IU Southeast has built strong momentum. We have stabilized enrollment, improved student retention, expanded partnerships with regional employers, launched new academic programs aligned with workforce demand, and increased experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for meaningful careers. This review is a natural next step in building on that progress.
Public regional universities like IU Southeast play a vital role in expanding access to higher education, strengthening local economies, and developing the next generation of professionals and civic leaders. To continue fulfilling that role, our academic structure must reflect today’s realities—not those of the past. This review will help identify opportunities to enhance collaboration, strengthen advising and student support, reduce unnecessary duplication, and better position programs to meet regional needs.
For our community partners, alumni, and supporters, I want to emphasize that IU Southeast remains deeply committed to serving as a regional anchor institution—one that opens doors to opportunity, supports workforce development, and contributes to the vitality of Southern Indiana. This work is an investment in that shared future.
Change in higher education is inevitable. The choice institutions face is whether to react to change or lead through it. At IU Southeast, we choose to lead—thoughtfully, inclusively, and with our students and community at the heart of every decision.
I look forward to sharing updates as this work moves forward and to continuing meaningful conversations about how we shape the next chapter of IU Southeast together.
About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality, nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts, and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from ten counties in the Louisville region, including Bullitt, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Trimble, and Spencer counties, and discounted tuition for remaining Kentucky residents through the Indiana Partner Program. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.
Contact Information:
Indiana University Southeast
Contact: Nancy Jo Trafton
812-941-2676
ntrafton@iu.edu
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