Key Topics

Ivy Tech Community College Presentation

1. 1. • Mission and Scale:
        • Ivy Tech serves 195,000 students annually, approaching the highest enrollment since 2014.
        • 90,000 students earn dual credit in high school, making it the largest program of its kind nationally.
      • Workforce Alignment:
        • Partnerships with employers to co-develop curriculum ensure graduates meet Indiana’s industry demands.
        • Key partnerships with companies like Eli Lilly, Samsung, and regional industries in healthcare, manufacturing, and biopharma.
      • Economic and Social Impact:
        • Ivy Tech graduates account for nearly 50% of all post-secondary credentials in Indiana.
        • Alumni contribute $4 billion annually to the state’s economy.
      • Program Innovations:
        • Industry 4.0 credentials, a first-in-the-nation offering, prepare students for automation and AI-driven roles.
        • “Free Summer” and “Crossing the Finish Line” programs increase dual-credit completions for high school students.

Funding Requests

1. 1. 1. Capital Projects:
         • Terre Haute Campus: $67M to replace outdated 1967 facilities.
         • Evansville Campus: $35M expansion for healthcare and automotive tech programs.
         • Michigan City Campus: $15M to construct a modern facility focused on advanced manufacturing and IT.
      2. Nursing Program Expansion:
         • Additional $9M annually to support the 900-student nursing expansion, up from a 600-seat goal. Ivy Tech now graduates 2,000 ASN nurses annually.
      3. “Free Summer” Initiative:
         • A $5M request to maintain and expand summer courses for high school students, allowing rural and under-resourced schools to provide access to critical dual-credit opportunities.
      4. Operational Needs:
         • Ivy Tech asks for an increased share of Indiana’s higher education operating appropriations (currently only 18% despite producing nearly 50% of post-secondary credentials).

Legislative Discussions

1. • Senator Fadi Qaddoura:
     • Highlighted that 54% of Indiana high school students do not achieve a bachelor’s degree.
     • Emphasized the need to leverage Ivy Tech’s programs to better serve this demographic through vocational and associate degree pathways.
     • Posed questions about maximizing Ivy Tech’s impact with incremental funding increases.
   • Affordability:
     • Ivy Tech reported 84% of its students graduate without debt, aided by Pell Grants and state subsidies.
     • Tuition is $5,000 annually, with innovative programs like the Ivy+ Textbooks program saving students $65M to date.

Committee Actions and Votes

• Actions Taken:
  • No formal votes were taken during the hearing.
  • Detailed funding requests and operational needs were presented for future consideration.
• Commitments:
  • Senators and representatives expressed strong bipartisan support for Ivy Tech’s initiatives, particularly its dual credit, workforce alignment, and nursing expansion programs.
  • Follow-up actions included a request for additional data on how incremental funding could lead to specific enrollment and completion increases.

Additional Notes

1. Dual Credit Leadership:
   • Ivy Tech saves Indiana families $110M annually in tuition costs through free dual-credit programs.
   • 7,200 high school students earned credentials last year, including associate degrees and Indiana College Core certificates.
2. Nursing Program Success:
   • Ivy Tech graduates one in three nurses in Indiana, with NCLEX pass rates increasing during expansion (up to 97% for practical nursing).
3. Employer Partnerships:
   • Eli Lilly invested $15M to create a biopharma talent pipeline.
   • Samsung chose Ivy Tech’s Kokomo campus to house its first custom trainer program outside of Korea, with replication plans for South Bend.
4. Reskilling for the Future:
   • Ivy Tech leads in automation, AI, and advanced manufacturing credentials, positioning Indiana as a leader in Industry 4.0.
5. Equity and Accessibility:
   • Programs like “Free Summer” bridge gaps for underrepresented and rural students, ensuring equitable access to higher education.
6. Economic ROI:
   • Graduates of Ivy Tech’s short-term certifications see an average $6,000 annual increase in earnings.