Regional Council

We make connections that create economic growth in Indiana

Indiana University has a vast repertoire of intellectual and creative assets in all parts of the state. Connecting these assets with strategic opportunities to foster economic growth requires coordinated engagement across all IU campuses. The IU Council for Regional Engagement and Economic Development (CREED) facilitates this coordination.

CREED addresses regional economic concerns and identifies ways that IU can use its resources to advance economic development efforts in the state. CREED is responsible for reviewing applications for Regional Economic Development (RED) Fund grants and for awarding them to qualifying IU entities across the state.

Find your CREED representative

What is the RED Fund?

IU campus entities sponsoring a program or event with the potential to directly enhance the region’s economic vitality are eligible to submit a RED Fund proposal. The RED Fund provides a unique means to enhance the connectivity and support of IU resources engaged to build capacity and advance economic development across Indiana’s regions.

Learn more about the RED Fund

Contact your CREED representative

Each IU campus has a CREED representative, appointed by the campus’s chancellor or provost. For more information about applying for a RED Fund grant, contact the CREED representative near you.

Kirk White

Assistant Vice President for Strategic Partnerships

Phone:: 812-855-6191
Email:: krwhite@iu.edu

IU Bloomington representative

Amy Conrad Warner

Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement

Phone:: 317-274-7400
Email:: awarner@iupui.edu

Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) representative

Cathy Valcke

Director of External Relations and Public Affairs, Office of the Chancellor

Phone:: 765-455-9226
Email:: chightow@iuk.edu

IU Kokomo representative

Sean Ryan

Director, IUFW Office of Engagement

Phone:: 260-481-0286
Email:: ryans@pfw.edu

IU Fort Wayne (IUFW) representative

Melissa Fairbanks

Director, Center for Business and Economic Development

Phone:: 812-348-7354
Email:: mcfairba@iupuc.edu

Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) representative

Uric Dufrene

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Phone:: 812-941-2208
Email:: udufrene@ius.edu

IU Southeast representative

Rick Kolbe

Dean, School of Business and Economics

Phone:: 574-520-4228
Email:: rkolbe@iusb.edu

IU South Bend representative

Steven Becker

Associate Dean, Director, IU School of Medicine

Phone:: 812-465-1186
Email:: sgbecker@iupui.edu

IU Evansville representative

Denise Smith

Dean, School of Business & Economics

Phone:: 765-973-8560
Email:: dss3@iu.edu

IU East representative