BLOOMINGTON and INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Indiana University and the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs are proud to announce the opening of the Paul H. O’Neill Center for Leadership in Public Service, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to preparing current and future leaders for service to others and the common good.
The center aims to strengthen society by leveraging the expertise and resources of the O’Neill School at our locations in Bloomington and Indianapolis. The center will amplify existing initiatives and develop new programs to broaden our reach, serving additional audiences and deepening the school’s impact.
“We are thrilled to launch the Paul H. O'Neill Center for Leadership in Public Service,” said Siân Mooney, dean of the O'Neill School. “This center will play a pivotal role in shaping tomorrow's leaders who are dedicated to public service and committed to addressing the significant challenges facing our society.”
The pillars of the center will cultivate the next generation of innovative, ethical, and impactful leaders during every phase of their careers. It will build upon the existing strengths of the leadership programs currently at the O’Neill School.
Student Leadership Training: The center is committed to preparing all future leaders that value public service through programs such as the NextGen and O’Neill Leadership Programs, public service scholarships, the Leadership Series, and the Washington Leadership and D.C. Accelerator Programs. These initiatives provide students with the skills, experience, and opportunities to integrate public service into their careers.
Executive Education: The center is expanding its executive leadership training programs, offering professionals tailored pathways to leadership excellence. With new cohort-based and online courses, as well as international partnerships, the center equips professionals with advanced skills to drive impact.
Public Engagement and Research: The center is dedicated to bridging the gap between academic insights and real-world practice. Through initiatives such as the D.C. Colloquium, Executives in Residence, and service-learning projects, the center empowers public and nonprofit leaders, engages students with hands-on learning, and fosters collaboration across sectors.
“There is nothing more valuable than practical experience,” said R.J. Woodring, associate dean for student success and administration. “By organizing and expanding leadership programs on the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses, the center creates additional opportunities for experiential learning, research-driven insights, and professional development that benefit students, faculty, and community partners alike. It also will provide the flexibility that is needed to adapt to the various challenges that may arise.”
The center is being established as part of the transformative $30 million gift from former secretary of the U.S. Treasury and IU alumnus Paul H. O’Neill to support programming within the school. The O’Neill School is named in his honor.
“Dad would be grateful for the efforts of the entire leadership team at IU and all those involved in launching the Paul H. O’Neill Center for Leadership in Public Service,” said Paul O’Neill, Jr. “I’m confident that the future leaders that are exposed to the programs at the center will be best prepared to meet the ever-evolving challenges of the world.”