Indianapolis, IN — January 21, 2025 — Marian University met with local K-12 leaders and community partners to discuss its Riverside Education Innovation District (REID), an initiative aimed at addressing critical educational challenges in the Near Northwest (NNW), with an emphasis on driving substantial improvements in student literacy.
"The power of a quality education is not a private good. The Near Northwest community and its educators have identified educational needs that need urgent attention, and we’re listening." said MarianUniversity President, Dan Elsener.
With an emphasis on improving economic and educational outcomes in the NNW, REID is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and is designed to support lifelong learning and workforce development for community members of all ages – and that work starts in local K-12 local schools, by supporting educators and students in literacy and the Science of Reading.
Heba Elshakmak, Principal of MTI School of Knowledge, shared, "We are eager to be involved in this transformative initiative and excited to work together to help our students, families, and teachers, especially given the unique challenges of immigrant families in our community."
“Walking alongside our local K-12 schools with programming and professional development to support the Science of Reading, helps them meet their educational goals and actually benefits learners of all ages,” said Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Vice President of Klipsch Educators College at Marian University. “We’re grateful to The Mind Trust for sponsoring the meeting and supporting our work.”
Le Monte Booker Sr., President and CEO of Newfields spoke to the group, “Uplifting educational attainment has an impact on the entire community, the entire area, and the entire city. Newfields strives to support education through nature and the arts, so I have profound respect and enthusiasm for this work - it is critical to everything we do."
For more information on Marian University's Klipsch Educators College and the K-12 community outreach programs available through the Center for Vibrant Schools, visit marian.edu/educators-college/community- outreach or contact Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at lkwiatkowski1@marian.edu. For more information on the Riverside Education Innovation District, go to Marian.edu/REID.
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About Marian University
Founded in 1937, Marian University is the only Catholic university in Indianapolis and central Indiana, serving more than 5,100 students, including 4,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students, earning degrees in the arts, business, education, engineering, math, medicine, nursing, ministry, and the natural and physical sciences. The university's high-impact, experiential curriculum provides hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities. Marian University has earned the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a national doctoral/professional university. In 2013, MarianUniversity established its College of Osteopathic Medicine, the first new school of medicine in Indiana in more than 100 years, and in 2023, opened the new E. S. Witchger School of Engineering as part of the university’s continuing efforts to graduate students that help meet the Midwest’s growing STEM workforce needs. The university also provides undergraduate nursing education at Marian University’s Ancilla College in Plymouth, Indiana. Marian's national champion varsity athletic programs include the 2012 and 2015 NAIA Football Championship, the 2016 and 2017 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship, the 2019 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship, various track and field events, and nearly 50 USA Cycling national championships. Follow Marian University on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tik Tok and X.