Indianapolis, IN – The Lilly Scholars Network (LSN) is pleased to announce the 2026 participants of the LSN Academy. This comprehensive statewide leadership development program is designed exclusively for alumni of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP).
LSN, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. and oversight from Indiana Humanities (IH), works to engage Lilly Endowment Community Scholars and alumni scholars in topics and with people focused on advancing Indiana’s future prosperity; inspire and equip the scholars to be active leaders in their communities; and cultivate meaningful connections among scholars and with other Indiana leaders.
The LSN Academy was created in response to interest among scholars in establishing a statewide program to inform scholars about statewide issues and provide an opportunity for deeper engagement. The LSN Academy distinguishes itself through its exclusive focus on alumni of the LECSP. The shared background of participants as Lilly Endowment Community Scholars fosters a unique camaraderie and understanding, creating a strong foundation for collaborative learning and networking. Beyond the LSN Academy, LSN offers a range of programs and events. These initiatives provide the scholar alumni with ongoing opportunities for personal and professional growth as well as a vibrant and supportive community of individuals committed to making a positive impact in Indiana.
The LSN Academy has drawn interest from LECSP alumni of various graduating classes and representing counties across Indiana. The class includes 17 outstanding individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and service within their communities. They hail from diverse backgrounds, with representation from a wide range of professions, including engineering, academia, business, and the nonprofit sector.
“Through the LSN Academy, we’re providing our alumni Lilly Endowment Community Scholars with a unique platform for leadership growth and a deeper understanding of Indiana’s landscape. This comprehensive initiative complements our other offerings by empowering scholars to enhance their abilities and become catalysts for positive transformation across the state,” said Bryana Schreiber, LSN Program Director.
2026 LSN Academy Class:
Over the course of eight months, January through August 2026, the LSN Academy will provide participants with opportunities to enhance their leadership skills, expand their networks, and engage with critical issues facing Indiana. The program will focus on five key themes: Basic Needs, Economy and Innovation, Education, Environment, and Quality of Life. The LSN Academy Class will travel around the state of Indiana to explore these topics from urban, suburban and rural perspectives.
“A warm welcome to the newest class of the LSN Academy, comprised of truly exceptional Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. Their dedication to their communities is inspiring, and we look forward to seeing them develop into even more impactful and skilled leaders through this experience,” Schreiber said.
The LSN Academy is made possible through the generous support of Lilly Endowment and is guided by Indiana Humanities. For more information and updates about the LSN Academy program, visit lillyscholars.org/academy or follow LSN on LinkedIn or Instagram at @lillyscholarsnetwork.
If you have additional questions regarding the LSN Academy, please contact Bryana Schreiber, LSN Program Director at 317-965-6747 or bryana@lillyscholarsnetwork.org.
ABOUT THE LILLY SCHOLARS NETWORK
Guided by Indiana Humanities and generously supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., Lilly Endowment Community Scholars have the ability to connect with each other, their community and the state through the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which is organized to:
For more information, visit lillyscholars.org and lillyscholars.org/academy.
ABOUT INDIANA HUMANITIES
Indiana Humanities connects people, open minds, and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read, and talk. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.
ABOUT THE LILLY ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $509 million. More than 5,400 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.
The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university selected by the scholar. Community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties nominate the Lilly Endowment Community Scholar candidates for consideration and final approval by Independent Colleges of Indiana, which administers the scholarships and the program with funding through grants from Lilly Endowment.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. LSN and the LSN Academy are supported by a grant Lilly Endowment to Indiana Humanities.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion.The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.
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Contact:
Bryana Schreiber
Lilly Scholars Network Program Director 317-965-6747
