Ivy Tech faculty, Jennifer Daily-Mantha, named regional President’s Award recipient

Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington has selected Jennifer Daily-Mantha, assistant professor of political science and chair of social sciences and language, as the 2014 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction. As recipient of the President’s Award, Daily-Mantha is also the nominee for the statewide Ivy Tech Glenn W. Sample Award for Excellence in Instruction, to be presented by the College in late spring.

The President’s Award is given annually to a full-time faculty member from each of the 14 regions of the College.

“The award recognizes one member of our faculty who typifies excellence in instruction and actively represents the mission of Ivy Tech Community College,” said Brad Thurmond, Ph.D., vice chancellor of academic affairs. “In her classroom, Professor Daily-Mantha shares a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the political arena in a way that engages all of her students.”

In addition to her duties in the classroom, Daily-Mantha has recently developed Ivy Tech’s statewide online course, POLS 101, Introduction to American Politics and Government, using open educational resources. In the two years since its development and implementation, it has saved Ivy Tech students across the state of Indiana nearly $300,000 in text book fees.

In fall 2014, she initiated and now chairs the Ivy Tech-Bloomington Adjunct Support Committee. In its first year, the committee held an inaugural adjunct appreciation week, created an adjunct benefits sheet, and is currently surveying adjuncts to identify areas of need, while also creating a best practices guide for department chairs.

Daily-Mantha co-chaired the inaugural Ivy Tech-Bloomington Youth Leadership Academy (YLA), which was established in 2014 to develop young leaders from diverse backgrounds and experiences in Monroe County in an innovative and creative program designed to foster civic involvement. YLA consists of students from Monroe County middle schools. Students spend a few weekends learning leadership skills at Ivy Tech-Bloomington and they hear presentations from community leaders on a variety of issues important to them, such as bullying, youth hunger, body image, youth homelessness, Internet safety, and stress. Daily-Mantha currently mentors a team of six YLA students who are working on a book drive for preschool children.

Daily-Mantha earned her Bachelor’s degree in political science from Butler University and her Master of Public Affairs degree at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. She spent more than 10 years in public service working at government agencies and non-profit organizations before making a career switch into public education. Daily-Mantha began teaching at Ivy Tech as an adjunct faculty instructor in January 2006. She became a full-time instructor four years later. Daily-Mantha was appointed department chair for humanities in August 2011, and she currently oversees economics, geography, history, political science, and Spanish.

Daily-Mantha serves on numerous committees including, adjunct support committee, O’Bannon Institute for Community Service planning committee, and Ivy Tech-Bloomington family capital campaign committee.

Outside of her duties at Ivy Tech-Bloomington, Daily-Mantha serves the Bloomington community as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts and as a member of the fundraising committee for The Project School.