Last Updated on November 22, 2021 by Ivy Tech Community College
KOKOMO, Ind. – Members of Ivy Tech Community College’s Circle of Ivy from around the state gathered virtually last week to celebrate their work in support of students at the College’s 19 campuses. Organizers announced that, statewide, the more than 1,000 Circle of Ivy members raised $209,713 to fund 78 projects to diminish barriers to higher education and help Ivy Tech students to succeed.
The 103 members of the Kokomo, Logansport, Peru, Rochester, Pulaski and Tipton Circle of Ivy raised a total of $13,950 and chose five projects to support students in Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski and Tipton counties.
“In the six years since the Circle of Ivy was founded, our group has grown from about three dozen women into more than 100, the largest ‘circle’ in the state,” said Kelly Karickhoff, executive director of resource development for Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area, who noted the group statewide has grown from 249 members to its current total of more than 1,000. “We are so proud of all the contributions our Circle of Ivy has made to support Ivy Tech students. Our students need us more than ever so the generosity of our donors is more important than ever as well.”
Karickhoff said the Circle of Ivy is open to all women who wish to become members of a powerful network of philanthropists who collectively give back to local Ivy Tech campuses and students.
“This is a dynamic and rewarding organization where members can join with other women within their local circle to pool their financial resources to make a really great impact,” she said. “We will be recruiting new members – staff, faculty, alumni, students, community friends – to join us in this exciting opportunity to help more students next year.”
To learn more about Circle of Ivy, visit ivytech.edu/circleofivy or contact Karickhoff at kkarickhoff@ivytech.edu or call 765-252-5501.
The following five proposals were selected by Kokomo area Circle of Ivy members to support students in the Kokomo, Logansport, Peru, Rochester, Tipton and Winamac areas.
- Cash for Completers: Cash for Completers assists students working towards the completion of a certificate, technical certificate, and/or associate degree while in high school. Many of these students face the obstacle of not having the financial means to cover the cost of tuition and fees since high school students are not eligible for financial aid awards.
- Hispanic/Latinx Education Coalition Jump Start: The Hispanic/Latinx Education Coalition, made up of staff, faculty, students, and community members, strives to impact the Cass County community through educational opportunities at Ivy Tech Community College. Coalition members will aid in recruiting and retaining Hispanic/Latinx students. Funding will include testing fees for foreign language test-out, recruitment materials, snacks for student gathering sessions, swag, and experiences beyond the classroom.
- Minority Student Enrichment Initiative: The Kokomo Diversity Committee would like to offer activities and experiences that expose students to other cultures, real-life work opportunities and acknowledge their successes by offering them alternative ways to interact with other students who share the same experience. Activities may include visiting cultural museums, career exploration and a minority student graduation recognition ceremony.
- Increase enrollment in the welding program at the Logansport Campus: The enrollment services department will partner with the industrial technology program chair to recruit students into the Logansport welding program. This initiative will provide marketing materials and recruitment scholarship funds. Students will have the opportunity to complete a technical certificate in four 8-week terms.
- CastleBranch Record Portal: Students in the Healthcare Specialist program are required to receive a background check and drug screen and demonstrate immunizations before being admitted into their program of study. This information must be submitted through a record keeping program called CastleBranch, costs $125 per student. Funds will support students who do not have resources to purchase the CastleBranch subscription.
SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College