Indiana University opens new academic hub in Washington, DC

Indiana University has formally launched its Capital Campus — an eight-story building that will house its academic and research work, classrooms and student housing in Washington, D.C.

The site aims to centralize and expand IU’s existing academic programs and business operations in the capital, including opportunities in public and international affairs and political science, university officials said. The university has had programs in the capital for over 40 years.

The IU Foundation bought the building from Johns Hopkins University in 2025 for $17.5 million. It’s located along a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue known as “Embassy Row,” home to numerous embassies and think tanks. Nearby the Capital Campus are embassies for Australia and the Philippines. 

“By bringing our students, faculty and alumni closer to the institutions and conversations shaping our world, we are opening doors to life-changing experiences, elevating IU research and preparing tomorrow’s leaders to serve with purpose and impact,” IU President Pamela Whitten said in a statement Wednesday. “Through the Capital Campus, our students will gain the real-world experience they need to lead in Indiana and beyond.”

The new location will connect its students with coursework, networking opportunities and internships, per the release. The Capital Campus “also aims to raise the visibility of IU research and scholarship” in Washington.

Student housing at the facility, which has 40 beds, includes single or double rooms with individual bathrooms, common areas and kitchenettes, fitness center access and workspaces.

Members of Indiana’s congressional delegation lauded the Capital Campus in statements.

“The opening of the Indiana University Capital Campus will expand IU’s footprint in Washington and provide new opportunities for students,” said U.S. Sen. Todd Young. “I am excited to see how this space will further position IU as a national and global leader in education.”

Earlier this year, IU appointed Don DeMaria, as executive director of the Capital Campus. In this role, DeMaria will help guide the campus’s growth, establish and enhance strategic partnerships, and expand access to Washington-based experiences for students across the university.