With 36 departments that put students at the center of all we do, the Office of Student Life promotes and facilitates a meaningful Hoosier experience that enhances success, lifelong learning, and personal growth.
As a result of our hard work and dedication, IU Bloomington was recently selected as one of the 2026 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs by ACPA—College Student Educators International and The EDU Ledger.
Founded in 1820 and serving over 48,000 students, Indiana University Bloomington is the flagship campus of IU’s seven campuses and two regional centers. Innovation, creativity, and academic freedom are hallmarks of our world-class contributions in research and the arts. We have nurtured leaders for over two centuries. IU educational experiences change the lives of our graduates and the communities they serve as experts and professionals.
Indiana University is committed to ensuring students are the center of our universe at IU; expanding excellence across the university in research, discovery, and creativity; and playing a leadership role in advancing the quality of life for the residents of Indiana and beyond. Psychology, foreign languages, and higher education and student affairs—our diverse academic programs are among the best.
The top-ranked IU Jacobs School of Music and our fine arts, theatre, and entertainment offerings rival much larger cities. The School of Public and Environmental Affairs has a number of academic programs ranked first in the country, and the Kelley School of Business is consistently ranked highly for undergraduate business programs. Similarly, the School of Education, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, and the College of Arts + Sciences all boast highly ranked programs.
Beyond academic rankings, IU and Bloomington rack up accolades like:
IU consistently ranks among the most beautiful campuses in the country and benefits from being just 50 miles away from Indianapolis, allowing enjoyment of the museums, music, shopping, or whatever you might want from a major city. As a member of the Big Ten conference, the Indiana Hoosier athletic teams provide entertainment and school spirit throughout the school year. The campus, and the whole state of Indiana, is known for its passion for basketball, and the IU Football team recently became the 2025 National Champions.
Bloomington itself is known for its culture and year-round activities. The downtown district of galleries, music venues, restaurants and more offer a wide variety of entertainment. Bloomington is listed as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America on Livibility.com. Bloomington lies adjacent to Lake Monroe, a more than 10,000 acre lake that is the largest in the state, and Hoosier National Forest is less than an hour’s drive away. Bloomington has been named a Tree City USA for the last 30 years and counting.
Students come from all 92 Indiana counties, all 50 U.S. states and 110 countries of citizenship.
72 percent of incoming students received gift aid, including scholarships and grants, which is an increase from the previous fall. The incoming class of beginning students also includes 1,568 students receiving federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students demonstrating exceptional financial need.
Student Life is varied and active, with 900 student organizations and 20+ thematic communities and Living-Learning Centers. More than 60 fraternities and sororities add to campus life, composing about 25 percent of the student body.
The IUB 2030 Strategic Plan establishes three foundational pillars to guide the many contributions of faculty and staff across IU:
IUB will ensure the long-term success of all students—undergraduates, graduates, professional students, online, and lifelong learners—by providing the highest quality of education through a rich, diverse, and engaging environment.
Goal 1: Undergraduate Academic Experience and Career Preparation
IUB will provide an exceptional academic experience for all undergraduate students and uniquely prepare them for the careers of the future.
Goal 2: Graduate Student Academic Experience and Career Preparation
IUB will ensure graduate and professional students are prepared for diverse career opportunities through excellent and innovative degree programs.
Goal 3: Inclusion, Wellness, and Student Support
IUB will foster a diverse and inclusive student community that stimulates a strong sense of belonging and well-being.
With the launch of the IUB 2030 Strategic Plan, the Office of Student Life is entering its second year. Student Life focuses on supporting students’ academic and co-curricular efforts while also contributing to their experiences and successes.
There are four pillars within Student Life:
View a list of all Student Life departments on the Departments webpage.
In September 2023, Dr. Lamar Hylton joined Indiana University Bloomington as the Vice Provost (now Vice Chancellor) for Student Life. With 16 years of experience coordinating and leading teams across student life, Hylton is helping shape IUB 2030 strategic goals to champion a healthy campus environment and lead the development of a transformational student co-curricular experience that enhances the academic mission of the university.
Hylton earned a Master of Education in college student personnel from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. After earning his master’s degree in 2007, Hylton began leading student-facing teams at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. He has also cultivated student success at University of North Carolina Asheville, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and Kent State University. A nationally recognized leader in student affairs, Hylton is engaged with multiple professional associations, including the ACPA, APLU, and NASPA, aimed at shaping the future of higher education.
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