The Indiana Career and Technical Education Awards for Excellence programs, sponsored by the Indiana Commission for Career and Technical Education in cooperation with the Indiana Career and Technical Education Association, was established in 1984 to recognize students, programs, personnel services and active partnerships that contribute to superior careers and technical education in Indiana. Nominations are collected statewide and screened by a committee of technical educators and private sector leaders. The awards ceremony is held annually during National Career and Technical Education Week.

Four Ivy Tech Community College students were among 10 postsecondary students to receive awards. Cynthia Boyd, a computer information systems and office administration student from the Gary campus, Vicki Crandell, an early childhood education student from Ivy Tech’s Evansville campus, Charles Lynch, a design CAD/CAM student from the Columbus campus and Angie Veach, a computer information systems student from the Logansport campus, were recognized.

"We are very proud of our students and their achievements," said Carol Katowitz, Early Childhood Education Program Chair.  "Vicki's award is a perfect example of the quality of students and graduates from Ivy Tech's Early Childhood Education program." 

According to Katowitz, Crandell (who works at Lincoln School as a parent specialist) is always willing to help her fellow students. 

Two Ivy Tech Community College programs were recognized. These included the Automotive Services program at the Terre Haute campus and the Early Childhood Education program at the Kokomo campus.

Additionally Ivy Tech campuses were part of three of the four community partnerships honored. Ivy Tech Community College partnerships recognized were:

• Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, College & Career Exploration Center, Community Education Coalition, Ivy Tech Community College, C4 Columbus Area Career Connection, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Regional Hospital, and the Center for Teaching and Learning
• Ivy Tech Community College, City of Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Economic Development, and Montgomery County Higher Education Steering Committee
• Internal Revenue Service, City of Bloomington, and Ivy Tech Community College at Bloomington