RALEIGH, N.C. / INDIANAPOLIS (January 12, 2026) The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal today released the Blueprint for Reform: Indiana, a comprehensive policy agenda outlining how Indiana can prepare its higher-education system for mounting demographic, financial, and cultural challenges.
The Blueprint marks the first state-specific, comprehensive policy product of its kind published by the Martin Center. It offers legislators, trustees, and university administrators a practical roadmap for reform grounded in academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and freedom of inquiry.
“Former Governor Mitch Daniels gave Indiana a legacy of innovation and efficiency in higher education,” said Jenna Robinson, the Martin Center’s president. “This report recommends reforms to build on his success.”
The Blueprint recommends targeted policy reforms across five core areas:
- Accreditation: Aligning state laws and policies on accreditation with Indiana’s priorities
- Return on Investment: Ensuring that students see a positive return on investment from their college degrees
- General-Education Curricula: Requiring courses that ensure students are prepared for citizenship
- Administrative Bloat: Decreasing expenditures on university administration
- Viewpoint Diversity: Ensuring that students can speak and think freely at Indiana’s public universities
The Blueprint for Reform: Indiana offers a practical path forward, by providing specific, implementable reforms that Indiana lawmakers, trustees, and administrators can begin adopting immediately.
“With clear priorities, firm accountability, and a commitment to mission-driven governance,” the report concludes. “Indiana can build a university system that delivers exceptional value to students, taxpayers, and society.”
The Blueprint for Reform: Indiana is available HERE.
To read more from the Martin Center about Indiana’s higher-education landscape, visit: https://jamesgmartin.center/state/indiana/