John Gipson, PhD, has been selected as Ivy Tech Lake County’s next chancellor and will join the College on Monday, September 29. He brings with him significant experience in academic operations and student advocacy through his previous roles in higher education.

Most recently, he served as the Chief of Staff to the Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Operations at Purdue University. In this position, he led transformative academic strategies that elevated student retention and diversified program offerings. Before that, John held administrative roles and regularly taught undergraduate and graduate courses, experiences that underscored his dedication to teaching excellence, collaborative governance, and data-driven decision-making.

I’m confident that Dr. Gipson will lead our Lake County students with heart and with excellence, John’s work in higher education and his roots as an educator and academic advisor will serve the more than 4,000 students across three campuses in Lake County who look to us to equip them for the future. His understanding of the operational complexities of a large organization balanced with the needs of students and the community we serve will bring great value to the region.

– Dr. Marty Pollio, President, Ivy Tech Community College

Gipson earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Purdue and holds a Master’s degree in Education from Grand Valley State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University.

Gipson’s leadership qualities have been evident throughout his career, including his leadership of a multi-year strategic planning process, aligning faculty, staff and student priorities and securing increased funding for student support services. He is a collaborative leader known for consensus building, and an advocate for students, focusing on initiatives across academic advising, mental health support and experiential learning.

“I am honored and truly excited to serve as Chancellor of Ivy Tech Lake County. This campus has a long tradition of changing lives and strengthening communities, and I look forward to working alongside our faculty, staff, students, and partners to expand opportunities and drive student success. Together, we will continue building pathways that empower Hoosiers and fuel the economic vitality of Northwest Indiana.”

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.