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������Ƶ Confers Nearly 2,000 Degrees and Certificates to Class of 2023

TERRE HAUTE – ������Ƶ Terre Haute/Greencastle recognized the 2023 graduates at the 55^th Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 4. Graduates from both the Terre Haute campus and Greencastle site gathered at the Hulman Center at Indiana State University to receive their associate degree, certificate, and/or technical certificate.

Collectively, 1,425 graduates will earn 1,881 credentials. ������Ƶ’s School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Science led the campus with 352 graduates, followed by the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education with 339 students earning their credential.

“Many ������Ƶ graduates start making an impact immediately in our community through careers with our industry partners in areas including manufacturing, agriculture, early childhood education, advanced automation and robotics, healthcare, and more,” said Chancellor Lea Anne Crooks. “Some graduates have just started their educational endeavors and will transfer their credentials to a four-year college to earn their bachelor’s degree, while others will be ready to enter the workforce immediately.

������Ƶ offers short- and long-term certificate programs as well as associate degree programs, with many students earning more than one credential before graduation. ������Ƶ’s stackable credit system allows students to earn a certificate quickly to qualify for industry positions, and then return to ������Ƶ when they are ready to earn their degree and continue to move up in their career.

A unique aspect of ������Ƶ’s model is the focus on high school student opportunities. ������Ƶ offers dual credit courses at many local high schools, taught by certified instructors. The courses count toward both high school graduation requirements and as ������Ƶ credits. The 2023 graduates include more than 170 high school students who have earned a combined total of 381 college credentials. The Indiana College Core (ICC) technical certificate accounted for approximately 30% of the credentials earned by high school students this year. The ICC is a block of 30 credit hours that includes many of the first-year and general education college courses. The ICC credits earned at ������Ƶ transfer seamlessly to any public Indiana college, allowing students to start as a sophomore in their bachelor’s degree program. ��

Students who completed their associate degree in less than a year were among those participating in the Commencement ceremony. Offered at the ������Ƶ Greencastle site, students can enroll in the Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP) and earn their associate degree in 11 months. Classes are held Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and spread over five 8-week terms. The program allows students to save time and money on their post-secondary educational journey. ��

This year, ������Ƶ partnered with Vigo County School Corporation to offer a mini agriculture studies certificate. A total of 30 students from all three Vigo County high schools participated in the partnership and each completed nine credits through classes taught both at the high school and two days a week on ������Ƶ’s campus during this past academic year. The credits earned count as a mini certificate and move students closer to earning their technical certificate and associate degree.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Abby Noblitt, recipient of ������Ƶ’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. Noblitt received her associate degree in early childhood education in 2021 from ������Ƶ before transferring to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Noblitt is the owner and director of VIP Kinder College, with two preschool locations in Terre Haute.

Students ready to take the next step in their career or enroll in courses can do so now. ������Ƶ registration is open for summer and fall terms. The first step to enrolling is to apply at ivytech.edu/applynow. This summer, ������Ƶ is offering free courses for any high school student, including career and technical courses, and allow students to explore program and career interests, or make progress toward earning the Indiana College Core. ������Ƶ offers flexible course schedules and evening classes. To learn more or schedule a campus visit, check out ivytech.edu/terrehaute or call 812-298-2280.

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About ������Ƶ

������Ƶ is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. ������Ƶ has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.