Ivy Tech program highlighted in national study finding strong positive evidence of program participation with student completion

Last Updated on February 1, 2026 by Cass County Communication Network

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A national study highlighted an Ivy Tech Community College program that partners with Hoosier employers as a model to boost adult learning and student success.

Yesterday, the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research institution that provides data-driven, objective analysis to improve public policy, released a report examining Ivy Tech’s Achieve Your Degree (AYD) program. The study explored the connection between partnerships with community colleges and employers, and the success of adult learners.

Evaluators found that participation in the AYD program increased the likelihood of attaining postsecondary credentials, such as a certificate, technical certificate, and associate degree, even after accounting for differences among learners. Short-term certificate completion, allowing individuals to advance in their careers more quickly, showed the strongest relationship. Evaluators found that an additional term of AYD participation increased the probability of completing a short-term certificate by up to 53%.

“The AYD program is an important innovation in the postsecondary landscape. Unlike other employer– community college partnership programs, AYD staff work directly with employer partners to enroll working adult learners in education and training (often tailored to an employer), using federal tax allowances for employer-provided tuition assistance,” according to the study.

That direct partnership can enhance coordination and the alignment of Ivy Tech with employers’ needs in local labor markets, the study said.

“We are proud that this study emphasizes the success of the AYD program, which allows adult students to continue their education in partnership with their employer, providing significant benefits to both students and workplaces,” Ivy Tech Senior Vice President of Workforce and Careers Molly Dodge said.

Since its creation in 2016, the AYD program has grown to nearly 3,000 students annually and currently has 300 employer partners. Students have earned more than 7,000 credentials, including certificates, technical certificates, and associates degrees. In total, Ivy Tech has supported more than 12,500 employer‑sponsored students representing 485 employer partners through 2025.

The key findings of the study highlighted the success of using federal tax allowances to build direct partnerships and help remove out-of-pocket tuition costs for working adult learners and that employer–community college partnership programs, like the AYD program, can increase credential completion, especially of short-term certificates.

Read more about the RAND study and Ivy Tech’s Achieve Your Degree program and how partnerships can benefit businesses and adult learners.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degree and short-term certificate programs, and trainings that align to the needs of the community. The College also offers courses and associate degree programs that seamlessly transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a quality, affordable route to a bachelor’s degree.

Ivy Tech Kokomo serving area employers with noted Achieve Your Degree program

More than 20 companies offering classes to employees through AYD

KOKOMO, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College’s Kokomo Service Area is serving more than 20 area and statewide employers offering opportunities for employees to expand their skills and credentials through the College’s notable Achieve Your Degree (AYD) program.

A national study through the Rand Corporation, a nonprofit research institution that provides data-driven, objective analysis to improve public policy, recently highlighted AYD as a program other community colleges should emulate.

Katie Loman, vice chancellor of Ivy+ Career Link for the Kokomo Service Area, said the program has the potential to rapidly grow from the more than 50 students currently participating.  Among the employers currently taking advantage of the AYD program through the Kokomo Service Area are 4C Health, Community Health Network, Parkview Health, Amazon, Indiana State Personnel Department and Compal USA (Indiana).

“This is a great program for our adult learners as tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement through their employer really helps to break down the barrier of financial need,” Loman said. “The AYD program allows the employees to see the investment their employers are putting in by paying for tuition costs.”

With Ivy Tech offering “stackable” credentials from a certificate to a technical certificate to an associate degree (that can transfer to a four-year university), individuals can decide how far they want to take their education.

For more information on AYD in the Kokomo Service Area, which includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski and Tipton counties, contact AYD Coordinator Mari Hernandez at mhernandez35@ivytech.edu or 463-251-3410.