UIndy is helping high school students see that college is a place where they belong. Thanks to an additional $343,376 in funding from Lilly Endowment Inc, the Summer Success Camp continues to give Southside youth a glimpse of college life. Now in its fourth year, the free, week-long camp partners with Perry Township Schools to provide students with an immersive campus experience. Campers stay in residence halls, eat at Ober Dining Hall, and participate in hands-on activities that help them identify potential majors. “The University is very grateful for this funding from Lilly Endowment, which has enabled us to showcase the opportunities and impact that higher education can have for students who may not have previously seen it as part of their future,” said Andy Kocher, vice president for corporate and community partnerships and chief of staff. Only 51.7% of Indiana high school graduates enrolled directly in college in 2023, down significantly from 65% in 2015. In 2025, 90% of surveyed campers said the experience made them more confident about deciding to go to college and over 80% believed they would succeed in college. “Not only do they see themselves in a physical space, but they see themselves as future college students,” added Kocher.
about and contribute to their parents’ family-owned businesses. But Perry Township leaders believe the impact can be far greater than a single business. By creating new opportunities for students, the partnership can harness the creativity and drive of bright young minds to transform the south side of Indianapolis, touching everything from local businesses to community groups. So don’t measure this partnership by a single building or the number of students in a classroom—measure it by the true impact the next generation will have on the Southside for years to come. “This is so much more than just a program,” said Morris. “This is an experience they will not be able to get anywhere else. Getting that experience, helping them dream bigger, giving them the tools to pursue those passions, is a dream of ours. To be able to do it on a college campus is a dream come true.”
opportunities for students in various disciplines, whether it’s STEM fields, like engineering or business, or creative fields, like performing arts or design. That way, students can explore their interests and apply what they learn in different contexts. They can also receive mentorship from UIndy faculty and students. “We have such a depth of talent and expertise at the University of Indianapolis,” said UIndy Provost Dr. Chris Plouff. “This allows us to connect students with a wide variety of disciplines in hands-on, experiential ways, similar to the approach we use in our DesignSpine program in the R.B. Annis School of Engineering.” A total of 56 students just completed the first-ever Principles of Entrepreneurship course at Southport High School in May. Bulmer and Morris believe many of the lessons learned are already translating beyond the classroom— giving students new ways to think
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MAGAZINE // SUMMER 2026
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