Ivy Tech Kokomo expanding support for early childhood education
Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Cass County Communication Network
KOKOMO, Ind. –Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo is undertaking a number of new initiatives to strengthen early childhood education throughout its six-county service area, thanks to a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant is helping Ivy Tech deepen its commitment to high-quality early learning by directly supporting more than 20 early childhood programs over the next two years.
“Over the coming months, our Early Childhood Education team will be visiting participating programs to deliver a blend of professional learning, hands-on resources, and meaningful partnership,” said Penny Zellers, chair of the Early Childhood Education program for Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area, which serves Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski and Tipton counties.
Each visit will include information sessions tailored to current needs in early childhood practice and collaborative conversation with educators and program leaders. The grant is also funding high-quality instructional materials including dramatic play kits, Science of Reading-aligned literacy tools, math and science materials, and infant and toddler learning materials.
Zellers said these resources are designed to strengthen daily instruction, enrich classroom environments, and support educators in implementing developmentally appropriate, evidence-based practices.
In addition to supporting community programs, Ivy Tech Kokomo is introducing a new Early Childhood Education Cohort initiative for students pursuing credentials and degrees in the field. This cohort model is aimed at current child care center employees who want to advance in their chosen career. It is designed to offer a supportive, connected learning community where students progress together, receive targeted advising, and gain access to enhanced professional development opportunities.
“The cohort is part of our broader effort to build a strong, well-prepared early childhood workforce—one that reflects the needs of families and programs throughout the region,” Zellers said.
The funding comes from a Lilly Endowment grant announced in December 2024. Lilly awarded Ivy Tech Foundation a total of $21.9 million for use statewide over three years to strengthen Indiana’s early childhood workforce.
The effort is aimed at tackling the serious shortage of well-qualified early childhood education professionals in Indiana, a shortage seen as hampering the state’s capacity to provide high-quality childcare options for Hoosier families.
“The Lilly Endowment’s support allows Ivy Tech Kokomo to expand its reach, strengthen partnerships, and invest directly in the educators who shape children’s earliest learning experiences,” Zellers said. “By combining classroom resources, professional learning, and new pathways for future educators, we are working together to elevate early childhood education across our communities.”
For more information about this initiative, contact Penny Zellers at pzellers1@ivytech.edu or call her at 463-345-3975.
SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Service Area