Bloomington, Indiana—Mary Stephenson, director of Indiana University’s Groups Scholars Program, has announced that she is leaving IU. Samuel Young, the current associate director of the Groups Scholars Program, will step into the role as interim director.

Young’s appointment begins Oct. 10, 2022, and continues through the end of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Since 1968, the Groups Scholars Program has brought 13,000-plus first-generation, underrepresented students to Indiana University. Once they arrive, students are outfitted with a robust network of academic, financial, and social support to help them succeed as Groups Scholars. This support includes academic advising, tutoring, enrollment in specialized courses, and activities designed to foster academic success and degree completion.

“Mary [Stephenson] has played a pivotal role in the success of the Groups Scholars Program and in helping students find their place on campus to thrive academically,” says James Wimbush, vice president for diversity, equity, and multicultural affairs and Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership. “Her contributions to the program, from increasing the scholarship program from one year to four, redesigning the summer program, creating a first-year seminar, and many others, will be felt by students for generations to come.”

“We are confident that Samuel Young will continue this important work and provide students with the kind of opportunities and connections that can enrich their lives long after college,” Wimbush adds.

In his new role, Young’s primary responsibilities will entail managing program activities, overseeing the program’s recruitment and admissions processes, and coordinating various services and opportunities associated with the effort.

In addition, Young will collaborate and coordinate marketing strategies, produce necessary reports, forecasts, and analyses, and develop select educational programs, interventions, resources, and overall services related to the success of the Group Scholars Program.

Prior to his appointment as interim director, Young served as associate director of the program beginning in March 2015. In that role, Young supervised the academic advising and tutorial staff, evaluated performances, and directed and managed various aspects of the program.

Before that, Young worked as a facility supervisor for the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation. He has additional professional experience as a teaching assistant for The Crossing Education Center and as a program director for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne.

Young graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1993, followed by his master’s degree in organizational leadership in 2013.

“Young’s extensive experience in community outreach, leadership development, and curriculum design, plus his inside knowledge of the Groups Scholars Program as associate director, will be extremely beneficial to the program’s continued success in the days and months ahead,” Wimbush adds.