Heather Hart, interim chancellor at Ivy Tech Community College Lake County Campus, has been selected to receive the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) 2025 Distinguished Service Award for outstanding leadership of CUPA-HR and higher education HR. CUPA-HR is pleased to make a $4,000 contribution to an institution of Hart’s choice.

Hart has served in many CUPA-HR leadership positions. She was selected to participate in the 2015-16 Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders cohort. Since that time, Hart has served as an at-large member and chair of the Midwest Region board and as an at-large member of the national board. She has also been a member of the Learning and Professional Development, Public Policy, Research Advisory, National Awards, Budget and Finance, Spring Conference, and Creating Inclusive Communities Steering committees.

“Heather has demonstrated extraordinary leadership by serving on both the Midwest Region board and the national CUPA-HR board of directors, where her insight and commitment have been invaluable,” shared Renee Hiller, vice president for human resources and workplace experience at St. Cloud State University. “Her strategic guidance has helped shape key initiatives, foster collaboration and enhance the organization’s overall impact.”

About CUPA-HR

CUPA-HR is higher ed HR. We serve higher education by providing the knowledge, resources, advocacy and connections to achieve organizational and workforce excellence. Serving more than 40,000 HR professionals and other higher ed leaders at nearly 2,000 member institutions and organizations around the country and abroad, the association offers learning and professional development programs, higher education salary, benefits and demographic data, extensive online resources and just-in-time regulatory and legislative information.

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 degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.