From August 12-14, embark on a transformative journey through the heart of rural Indiana. This tour offers IU Bloomington faculty an unparalleled opportunity to engage with diverse communities and expand their collaborative networks through research, service, and creative activities. As part of the IUB 2030 strategic plan, the tour focuses on arts and culture, community resilience, education, health, housing, and leadership and innovation.
Explore rural Indiana with the IU Faculty Tour
Why join the tour?
This enriching experience is tailored for faculty members looking to deepen their connection with the state, develop impactful, community-engaged work, and receive valuable recognition and incentives. Priority will be given to second- and third-year tenure-track faculty, with all participants required to attend for the entire three days.
Incentives for participants
- Course Planning Grants: Secure one of three instructional developmental grants worth $2,000 each for designing undergraduate and graduate courses that integrate community-engaged learning with a rural Indiana community.
- Data and Metrics Consultation: Receive up to 20 hours of consultation with Caleb Pittman, the Center for Rural Engagement’s data and metrics specialist, to support your rural projects. Services include survey research, qualitative data collection, and data visualization.
- Recognition Letter: Participants will receive a letter of recognition from Provost Rahul Shrivastav.
Tour Highlights
Day 1 | August 12, 2025
Explore Bedford, Salem, Paoli, and French Lick. Enjoy a walking tour of Heritage Park and the new Monon South Trail, engage in discussions on trauma informed care, food as medicine, and housing, and settle in for the evening at the French Lick Resort.
Day 2 | August 13, 2025
Visit Fischer Farms, Ferdinand, and Huntingburg. Discover the new Market Street Park, learn about ALASI – a community center dedicated to strengthening and supporting a multicultural community, and enjoy a dinner with local mayors.
Day 3 | August 14, 2025
Head to Washington, Westgate, Bloomfield, and Spencer to learn about impactful community projects.
Schedule and stops are subject to change.
Eligibility and application
All IU Bloomington faculty are eligible to apply with preference given to second- and third-year tenure-track faculty. Funding includes food, lodging for two nights, and tour bus transportation. Faculty who are selected for the tour will be notified by May 9.
This is your chance to make a meaningful impact in your teaching and research while gaining recognition and funding support. Share this with your colleagues and help identify eligible faculty members who would benefit from this unique experience.