Indiana University Northwest opens new Center for Urban and Regional Excellence

Indiana University Northwest held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Center for Urban and Regional Excellence on April 7, 2025. The CURE Center, which is located within the John W. Anderson Library, provides the community with a number of services and resources, including adult education programs, programs for seniors, and programs for children. While CURE has existed for two decades and has long since been providing services to the community, this is the first time all of its services are being centralized under one roof.

According to an article on Indiana University Northwest’s website, Pamela Whitten, the president of Indiana University, was quoted as saying of the new center, “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. The Center for Urban and Regional Excellence really embodies that commitment.”

CURE’s director Ellen Szarleta and assistant director Amanda Smith are the driving force behind the center and its services, as they are the only two members of the team. Both constantly do their work out in the Northwest Indiana community, attending meetings and hosting events, and as such the work is tiring and does not fit within the confines of a typical 9-5 job.

Speaking of the two-person team’s commitment to the center, Szarleta said, “We have passion. Passion goes a long way because we can see the results in the community, and we know that it’s meeting a need.”

Among the services Szarleta and Smith provide through CURE are adult education courses, including professional development, Senior University, which provides education for adults over the age of 55, reading programs, a community garden, and Kids College. Additionally, the two have been involved in community projects and initiatives outside the scope of the university, including working with the Humane Society, environmental projects, a project regarding food deserts, and working with the now-Gary Mayor Eddie Melton on the “My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.”

Szarleta said of these services, “There are two branches to CURE. 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. The most important thing over the last 10-12 years has been the community’s commitment. 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.”

Melton believes the work that Szarleta and Smith do for the community is essential. He said, “Ellen has been a pillar in this community for many years. Ellen is the doctor who helps us ‘cure’ a lot of the social issues that we address in this community. When it comes down to bringing this community together, her and her team are instrumental in every single way.”

For more information about Indiana University Northwest, visit the school’s website.