Connect with Southern Indiana is a University of Southern Indiana program that originated from a Lilly Endowment grant to boost Indiana’s retention of intellectual capital.  At the heart of the program is strengthening critical thinking and promoting active citizenship.

Participants expand their opportunities for creating new connections: with other residents, with local and regional organizations, between communities, and between USI and the region. These connections are designed to transcend traditional boundaries of towns and counties, occupation, and demography. 

Participation in Connect with Southern Indiana provides invaluable, tangible skills, including the opportunity to meet others from the region with similar concerns and interests, identify areas for collaborative problem-solving, meet business and civic
leaders, while developing critical thinking skills.

The 2013 Connect with Southern Indiana program will include twenty-four residents from Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties.  Those selected participate in a total of ten full-day sessions over a six month period and are required to develop a collaborative project that will be presented at the conclusion of
the program in June.

Topics will include: community overviews; critical thinking; personality profiles; opportunity identification; project management; public skills; presentation planning; government relations. All programs will be facilitated by USI faculty and staff and community leaders.


Program cost: The University of Southern Indiana covers all program expenses, including overnight accommodations, facilitation, meals, location rental fees, and materials. Participants provide their transportation to and from sessions and volunteer time to attend sessions and work on projects. Because the program is free and openings are limited, applicants must indicate their willingness and ability to participate in all sessions and
out-of-class assignments.

Who should apply? People who are interested in improving the quality of life
in their community and their region—those who desire to develop regional leadership skills, those seeking to increase involvement, or those new to the area and are not yet active in the region. A year’s residence in the region
prior to January 2013 is required.