Bloomington, Indiana – At Indiana University, the spirit of public service isn’t just a concept—it’s being taught firsthand by those who live it every day. In an effort to inspire the next generation of civic leaders, the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs has launched two new programs designed to connect students with experienced public officials and help them understand the responsibilities and rewards of public service.
These new academic offerings—community and organizational leadership studies on the Indianapolis campus and a leadership and advocacy minor in Bloomington—aim to empower students to step into leadership roles within their communities. A central feature of both programs is a course titled The Call to Public Service, taught not by career academics, but by Indiana mayors themselves.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, an alumnus of the O’Neill School, leads the course in Indianapolis. He brings a unique perspective to the classroom, having handled the daily challenges of running a city while navigating public policy, budgets, and the complex web of community needs.
“I love teaching and enjoy sharing my unique perspective with students,” said Fadness. “As mayor, you address a little bit of everything, from day-to-day management and public policy issues to the political landscape. My goal is to help the students feel confident in their ability to serve others and lead well.”
Fadness doesn’t just lecture—he invites real-world voices into the classroom. In one class, he brought in a law enforcement officer to share personal experiences with students. This left a lasting impact on Lily Nelson, a student from Ligonier, Indiana, who dreams of becoming a criminal investigator.
“Mayor Fadness emphasized the importance of adaptability, teamwork and problem-solving qualities,” Nelson recalled. “But also hearing firsthand about the challenges officers face, from crisis response to community relations, was eye-opening. I plan to apply what I learned by leading with integrity, staying informed on policies and fostering strong communication.”
On the Bloomington campus, students are also getting a front-row seat to leadership in action. There, The Call to Public Service is taught by Tim Berry, a seasoned public finance expert who has spent more than two decades working in state and local government. His approach emphasizes participation and community involvement, encouraging students to take initiative and make their voices heard.
“We often expect somebody else to take the initiative, but leadership is about stepping up,” Berry explained. “I encourage all of my students to become involved in the community, to be better advocates for a cause they are passionate about. That’s leadership and advocacy combined.”
Berry’s classes often include guest appearances from elected officials, allowing students to hear directly from those who once sat where they sit now. One recent session featured Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun, a recent O’Neill graduate who was elected just one month after finishing his degree, and Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, who shared his own journey into politics—one that began with hesitation and uncertainty.
“Mayor Sakbun and I owe it to the next generation to tell our stories and inspire them like we were when we were students, to show them what a pathway looks like within public service,” said Jensen.
That message resonated with Gabriel Rivera, a law and public policy student from Waukesha, Wisconsin. Rivera, who is minoring in leadership and advocacy, said the mayors’ discussion about economic development in small towns struck a chord.
“Hearing Mayor Jensen and Mayor Sakbun address the dichotomy of building up local economies to attract future generations while honoring the history and legacy of small towns was super valuable because I want to go into rural law,” Rivera said. “In that context, your legal specialty becomes whatever the community needs, which is why the public service component is so important.”
Rivera hopes to contribute meaningfully to the development conversations in rural areas, ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind in economic planning and that all voices are included in future initiatives.
“After these conversations with students, I hope that we have future public-service leaders in the crowd,” said Sakbun. “I enjoy coming to Indiana University, especially as a two-time graduate. The faculty and my peers here helped prepare me to run for mayor, and I hope that these students leave here saying, ‘I will be a leader too.’”
The involvement of local mayors in the classroom is more than just symbolic—it’s part of a larger effort to close the gap between academic learning and real-world public service. With the launch of these two leadership-focused programs, Indiana University is placing students directly in conversation with the people who are shaping policy and leading communities right now.
By encouraging future leaders to see themselves in these roles, the O’Neill School hopes to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond campus. And with mayors, law enforcement officials, and public finance experts helping guide the way, students are learning not just how to lead—but why it matters.
