Indiana University Northwest recently unveiled its Center for Urban and Regional Excellence to the community.

University stakeholders, government officials and others attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony April 7. The new center is in the John W. Anderson Library.

“IU Northwest is deeply committed to the third pillar of Indiana University’s strategic plan, which is engagement that enhances the quality of life for all Hoosiers,” IU President Pamela Whitten said in a press release. “The Center for Urban and Regional Excellence really embodies that commitment.”

The center will host adult education, non-credit professional development and lifelong learning opportunities for people of all ages. Its Senior University will provide real-world learning opportunities and skills to individuals ages 55+. CURE will also offer reading skills programs, a community garden, Kids College and other programming.

Ellen Szarleta serves as CURE’s director and Amanda Smith is the center’s assistant director. Szarleta and Smith host conversations and classes, meet with public officials and discover new ways to serve the community’s needs.

“There are two branches to CURE,” Szarleta said. “One is the outreach and engagement side, and the other is the partnership side. … In our community, these needs were identified long ago. This work is part of our public mission as a university.”

CURE has existed in one way or another for over 20 years. Dozens of classes are offered monthly — ranging from smartphone utilization, gardening, homeownership and computers. The Center has a Senior University Steering Committee and Garden Advisory Board to gauge its members’ interest to ensure it’s offering relevant content throughout the year.

“The most important thing over the last 10-12 years has been the community’s commitment,” Szarleta said. “Their interest and commitment to finding ways that we can collaborate and grow together. The real impact CURE is having is building up a long-term relationship so we can look at the complex problems we are faced with in Northwest Indiana.”

One of CURE’s biggest collaborative research projects was with the Lake County Board of Commissioners. It identified over 7,000 “churner properties,” parcels that went through the Lake County commissioners’ and treasurer’s sale numerous times, and helped prompt legislation in 2023 that led to the passing of Senate Bill 157.

Other projects have included working with now-Gary Mayor Eddie Melton in developing a plan for President Barack Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper Initiative,” hosting K-12 conversations, working with the Humane Society and environmental groups.

Szarleta said CURE’s next partnership is working on a food desert project in the Region and continuing to work alongside Gary through its “Love your Block” program, which provides mini-grants to support resident-led solutions for communities.

Szarleta, who’s been at IU Northwest since 1999, says she and Smith believe the work CURE does is vital.

“We have passion,” Szarleta said. “Passion goes a long way because we can see the results in the community, and we know that it’s meeting a need.”