Awards

Bicentennial Medal - 2019

About Susan Brooks

Susan Brooks received her undergraduate degree from Miami University in Ohio and then earned a J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Brooks has remained strongly involved with IU, and has served on IUPUI’s board of advisors.

Brooks was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana’s fifth district, and while she chose not to run again (in 2020), she retained her role as recruitment chairman for the Republican National Congressional Committee for the 2020 election. Previous experience includes serving as the United States Attorney for Indiana’s southern district, and leading as Senior V.P. and General Counsel at Ivy Tech Community College. Brooks additionally worked with the large Indianapolis-based firm Ice Miller, and has more than a decade of experience working as a criminal defense attorney. She was also elected Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis in 1998, where she battled against mortgage fraud, gun violence, drug trafficking, gangs, child exploitation, and identity theft.

Brooks has served on countless committees and boards, including the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the Marion County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Race Relations Leadership Network Committee and Clarion Health’s Community Plunge Steering Committee. A strong advocate for the Hoosier community, Brooks helped develop a trained workforce to attract employers and strengthen the state’s economy, through working with Indiana’s business community. Brooks has received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the Touchstone Award, and earned the Who’s Who in Law. In 2019, Brooks received Indiana University’s Bicentennial Medal, in recognition of her distinguished contributions and dedicated service.