Informatics student helps build community at IUPUI
Attempting to unify an urban university campus through conversation and collaboration is no easy task. Indiana University School of Informatics at IUPUI student Greg Oppman, a junior in the Media Arts and Science program and undergraduate Vice President of Informatics Student Government, was up for the challenge. Last summer, Greg joined the efforts behind the newly-launched Common Theme project at IUPUI – an initiative to connect the students, faculty and staff of IUPUI with the surrounding community and the world on a shared issue.
Greg first became aware of the project after seeing a post for a summer job opportunity through the IU School of Informatics’ career services. Just over a week later, Greg was on the job, researching effective ways to engage target audiences through Common Theme’s website. He developed the website’s front-end information infrastructure, using hierarchal value studies to craft a sequential narrative that would best communicate Common Theme’s mission and message.
Greg credits his informatics and digital storytelling coursework in the Media Arts and Science program for preparing him to meet the demands of this project. “The challenge of this project was taking the information and research presented and communicating it in a way audiences can understand,” said Greg. “That principle doesn’t just apply to film, animation or sequential art. It applies to web design and content as well.”
Role-playing exercises and deadlines in his courses also helped Greg develop the collaboration and project management skills necessary for the Common Theme project’s success. In addition to faculty mentors, Greg worked with students from the Herron School of Art, the School of Science and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. “This project was all about multidisciplinary learning. We each had to teach each other something to make this project happen,” said Greg.
So what’s next for Greg? He recently began work on a two-year, national experiential learning project on eCitizenship, a multi-campus initiative focused on creating informed and engaged citizens. The opportunity arose from Greg’s Common Theme experience and the networks he built while working on that project. The strong portfolio Greg is amassing certainly helps position him as an emerging leader in the media arts and science industry.
For more information on the School of Informatics’ degree programs, please visit www.informatics.iupui.edu/degrees.
To learn more about the Common Theme project at IUPUI, visit www.iupui.edu/common_theme.
