New president spreads word about Ivy Tech

By OSEYE T. BOYD - oboyd@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE -- Thomas Snyder is on a mission to spread the word about Ivy Tech Community College.
Snyder, Ivy Tech's new president, did just that Friday as he spoke with members of the Muncie-Delaware Chamber of Commerce.

The school offers incoming students affordable, transferable credits, plus financial aid to those who qualify.

Not only does Ivy Tech work to help employed adults gain additional skills for work, the community collegealso is an option for high school students wanting post-secondary education.

"There are a lot of B and A students that aren't going to college because they don't know it's affordable," Snyder told Chamber members.

The college also is stepping up outreach to rural and urban school districts as well as working to improve technology.

Ivy Tech has made a $30-million commitment to put all campuses on the same technology system. So students from "Fort Wayne to Marion" will be able to use the same state-of-the art technology.
Ivy Tech also has $4 million set aside for planning to look at campus improvements in Anderson and Muncie.

The campuses in Bloomington and Terre Haute will be used as models of what amenities can be added to Ivy Tech campuses to make them more attractive to students, especially those who will come to Ivy Tech out of high school and will spend several hours at a time on campus.

"We've got to have a campus that people want to go to," Snyder said.

Campuses in East Central Indiana will continue to focus on economic development and employee training, Snyder said during an interview with The Star Press.

Ivy Tech also is strengthening curriculum by adding new programs, Snyder said.

In health, a registered nurse program was added. A degree in agriculture, which offers plant science or food science, and an education program are also changes in available majors.