History

Created in 2001, the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis bridges the gap between research, policy, and practice by delivering innovative, evidence-based solutions to empower educators and improve student success.

CELL continues to impact the educational ecosystem by building capacity, leveraging resources, driving change, and convening collaborators. Our work is always evolving, but our mission remains the same: transforming lives through learning.

August and October 2024 - CELL receives funding from the Don Wood Foundation and an Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand its Indiana Pathways to Careers and Postsecondary (P-CAP) initiative to 15 additional high schools across the state.
August 2024 - CELL partners with InnerDrive to offer the Cognitive Science Academy, a virtual masterclass series with international experts to help school teams apply cognitive science research to classroom practice.
July 2023 - CELL hosts the inaugural Indiana Early College Summit with more than 400 educators and partners in attendance.
May 2023 - More than 50 high schools are recognized by CELL as endorsed Early College High Schools.
December 2022 - To help meet the need for teachers of record for English learners, CELL begins the Indiana Teachers of English Learners Licensure (I-TELL) initiative through a partnership with the Indiana Department of Education. I-TELL funds graduate coursework for teachers to complete graduate coursework to earn English as a New Language Licensure.
August 2022 - In partnership with the Indiana Department of Education, CELL launches the Indiana STEM Cadre, which develops and implements collaborative professional development for educators (grades 4-8) across the state rooted in research-based practices. CELL hosts a series of forums for educator preparation programs and partners with Five Star Technology Solutions to continue to develop and implement professional development.
August 2022 - CELL begins work as an initiative leader for the Indiana Literacy Cadre in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education as part of the state’s largest-ever financial investment in literacy. The goal of the Indiana Literacy Cadre is to help Indiana’s students read proficiently by the end of third grade. To achieve this mission, the Indiana Literacy Cadre develops and implements collaborative professional development for K-3 educators across the state based on the science of reading, a compilation of evidence-based research on reading, reading development, and reading instruction.
June 2022 - CELL receives an Explore, Engage, and Experience (3E) grant from the Indiana Department of Education to help four Indiana high schools implement Indiana Pathways to Careers and Postsecondary (P-CAP) programs, preparing underserved students for high-demand, high-wage industry careers.
May 2022 - In partnership with the Indiana Department of Education, CELL begins the Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN) to help urban high schools implement Early College programs. UCAN is based on the success of CELL’s RECN network.
March 2022 - CELL conducts research on the Indiana dual credit teacher landscape and publishes a whitepaper on growing dual credit teacher pipelines in partnership with Education Northwest and the Joyce Foundation.
November 2021 - In partnership with the Indiana Department of Education, CELL begins the Indiana Special Education Assisted Licensure (I-SEAL) initiative to help schools fill special education positions. I-SEAL enables individuals to become fully licensed in special education while teaching in the classroom by providing funding for graduate coursework through participating programs.
October 2020 - CELL launches Teach Dual Credit Indiana to help more Indiana teachers meet dual credit requirements through funded, online graduate coursework. Teach Dual Credit Indiana is offered in partnership with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education with funding from INvestEd.
June 2020 - Using federal funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Indiana Department of Education awarded CELL nearly $4.9 million through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) through two grants. A larger grant funded devices and broadband in nine service centers and 23 school districts in rural areas across Indiana and a second grant funded professional development to improve educators’ capacity to provide engaging and effective online instruction.
October 2019 - CELL receives a federal Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant for the Rural Early College Network, a new initiative to help rural high schools implement Early College programs. RECN brings an innovative mentorship aspect to professional development and training, with established Early College High Schools mentoring rural schools implementing an Early College program.
February 2018 - Fifteen Early College programs have been recognized by CELL as endorsed Early College High Schools.
October 2016 - Lilly Endowment Comprehensive Counseling Initiative: CELL provided technical assistance to schools across the state through the Lilly Endowment Comprehensive Counseling Initiative. Eight schools were selected for implementation grants administered through CELL to bolster counseling services. The goal of the grant was to encourage public school corporations and charter schools to explore how they help students from elementary grades through high school prepare for academic, career and personal success.
March 2014 - CELL is among just three recipients nationwide of this year’s TAP Award of Distinction, which honors organizations for their dedication and commitment to advancing the effectiveness of educators.
September 2013 - CELL, in partnership with Independent Colleges of Indiana, receives a grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education as part of the STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund to provide professional development for STEM teachers. STEM Teach focuses on helping STEM teachers meet dual credit credentialing requirements through funded online graduate coursework.
August 2013 - CELL, as a partner in the Indiana Collaborative for Project Based Learning, coordinates a teacher PBL Certification designed to validate authentic project based learning in the classroom. The IDOE is a strong supporter and proponent of PBL in Indiana classrooms, and State Superintendent Glenda Ritz awarded the PBL Certificates to the inaugural group of recipients.
November 2012 - CELL partners with the Indiana Education Roundtable partners in the creation of the Education Workforce Innovation Network (EWIN), a statewide effort to align education offerings with regional economic opportunities.
March 2012 - West Goshen Elementary, an Indiana TAP school, receives a national "TAP School of Promise" award for its outstanding implementation of the TAP system.
January 2012 - The Indiana Commission for Higher Education contracts with CELL to launch "Core to College," a national initiative connecting higher education institutions with K-12 schools to improve student achievement, graduation rates, and college- and career-readiness.
November 2011 - Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard formally proclaims November 14–15 as "CELL days" to honor the Center's 10th anniversary and issue thanks for its continued support of education.
October 2011 - CELL, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education and Commission for Higher Education, launch the "IB Experience" - a student-led event to support International Baccalaureate programs.
September 2010 - The Indiana Department of Education appoints CELL to lead TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement in 44 schools across the state.
August 2010 - CELL concludes its highly successful High School-to-College Transition project and releases two policy briefs.
December 2009 - The New Tech Network announces its selection of National Demonstration sites for the New Technology High School model. Indiana hosts six sites, more than any other state in the nation.
November 2009 - CELL receives funding through 2014 from Lilly Endowment to continue and expand its education transformation initiatives across Indiana.
November 2009 - CELL’s annual conference reaches a milestone - five years of bringing school, community and business leaders together to improve Indiana’s educational opportunities.
June 2009 - CELL, in partnership with IUPUI and M.S.D. of Wayne Township host the state's first PBL Institute.
March 2009 - KnowledgeWorks Foundation awards $10 million to New Technology Foundation to support the national expansion of the New Tech model. The announcement was made in conjunction with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels because of the state's emergence as a national leader for New Tech growth.
October 2008 - CELL launches a statewide Early College High School evaluation program to identify program benchmarks and endorse model schools. Ben Davis University High School, Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School and Stonegate Early College High School became the first endorsed Early College programs in the state.
August 2008 - The number of Early College High Schools in Indiana reaches 20, all of which were developed through the work of CELL.
August 2008 - Three additional New Technology High Schools open as part of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, Monroe County Community School Corporation, and North Daviess Community Schools.
May 2008 - Indiana’s first class of Early College High School students graduate from Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, a school that received start-up funding from CELL. All 12 students were accepted into four-year colleges and universities.
April 2008 - CELL receives additional funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. to expand its statewide efforts in supporting education transformation, leadership development and innovative school designs.
August 2007 - With the help of CELL, Indiana’s first three New Technology High Schools open within the districts of Indianapolis Public Schools, M.S.D. of Decatur Township, and Rochester Community Schools
January 2007 - CELL launches the Indiana High School-to-College Transition Project, a three-year policy study, funded by Lumina Foundation for Education, to promote Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and dual credit programs to break down barriers between high school and college.
September 2006 - Reaching the significant milestone of opening 10 new small high schools in Indianapolis, CELL exceeds grant expectations by providing funding and technical assistance to an additional 10 schools currently in the planning stages to open in 2007 and beyond.
September 2006 - CELL announces the award of an additional $2.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide professional development opportunities and school coaching to IPS administrators and teachers.
November 2005 - Taking the education transformation work statewide, CELL launches the first annual Indiana’s Future conference drawing more than 450 school, community and business leaders from across Indiana.
Fall 2004 - Vanderbilt University selects the University of Indianapolis to partner on a national study examining school choice. The selection is an indication of how CELL’s school evaluation work is viewed nationally. The study continues through 2009.
June 2004 - Recognizing the need for strong leaders to impact change in classrooms, schools, and throughout the profession, the School of Education launches the Educational Leadership program to provide new leaders with experience in curriculum, instruction, and school leadership to help ensure every Indiana child achieves academic success.
May 2004 - The Life Sciences Initiative is launched. In partnership with BioCrossroads and with seed capital from the Lumina Foundation for Education, CELL works to facilitate the creation of a plan to transform and strengthen science education in Indiana.
Fall 2003 - CELL awards a series of university-based grants designed to foster innovative K-16 partnerships. The Parents as Scholars program is one example of the success of this funding.
May 13, 2003 - CELL announces the award of an $11.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to transform existing large high schools into small schools and establish new small high schools over the next five years. The initiative is launched in October 2003 and the first grant recipients are announced on January 19, 2004.
Fall 2002 - CELL enters into a contract with the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office to develop an accountability plan for charter schools. The model becomes nationally recognized for excellence.
Fall 2002 - The School of Education offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program designed for career changers wanting to become secondary school teachers. CELL funds scholarships for MAT students and awards a grant for the Beginning Teacher Support program to support MAT graduates in their first years of teaching.
Fall 2002 - CELL outgrows its campus space and moves to Downtown Indianapolis. CELL returns to campus on September 12, 2005, to the newly renovated Esch Hall, a state-of-the-art facility serving as the university’s “front door,” a welcoming portal for the entire community.
August 9, 2001 - The University of Indianapolis announces the award of a Lilly Endowment Inc. grant in the amount of nearly $15 million to pioneer an innovative leadership center to help reshape K-12 education in Indiana.