Ivy Tech - Bloomington chosen as finalist for national Community College Futures Assembly award

December 19, 2008

Bloomington, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington has been competitively selected as a finalist to present at the annual Community College Futures Assembly on “Leading Change” in Orlando, Fl. in January 2009. Ivy Tech-Bloomington’s program, “Utilizing Local Partnerships to Enhance Workforce Development” was selected among nine other finalists, nationwide, in contest for the prestigious Bellwether Award for Workforce Development. The applications were reviewed by a selection committee comprised of members of the national organizations, the Council for Resource Development (CRD), the National Council for Instructional Administrators (NCIA), and the National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET).

Chancellor John Whikehart says that being chosen as a finalist for the Workforce Development Award is further recognition of the college’s commitment to working with community partners. “Our partnership with Monroe County Government and the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission is the result of our collective commitment to this community, and as the area’s community college, it is our mission to grow a workforce that meets local industry demands.”

Presenters for Ivy Tech - Bloomington include Ivy Tech-Bloomington Chancellor, John Whikehart; Monroe County Commissioner Joyce Poling, member of the Ivy Tech-Bloomington Regional Board of Trustees, Dan Peterson; and Ivy Tech-Bloomington Director of Life Sciences Initiatives, John Stephens. The presentation will highlight the award-winning partnerships between education, government, and the private sector that were instrumental in the creation of the new Indiana Center for the Life Sciences. This innovative partnership will prepare both the current and future workforce for careers in the life science industry. Summaries of finalist presentations will be published in the Community College Journal of Research & Practice. The award winner will be asked to write a full article for the Journal.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public post-secondary institution and one of the nation’s largest singly-accredited statewide community college systems with more than 120,000 students enrolled annually.  Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana.  It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana.  It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

For more information: Community College Futures Assembly