Ivy Tech alumna transfers to Pomona College in California

BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College alumna Brynn Parkinson graduated with a Liberal Arts transfer degree in spring 2017 and will begin classes this fall at Pomona College in Claremont, Ca. to pursue a bachelor’s degree in international relations.

Parkinson started classes at Ivy Tech after completing a 10-month service term in America Corps.

“I chose Ivy Tech, number one, because it runs in the family,” said Parkinson. Her parents, Wayne and Carol, were both Ivy Tech employees while she was enrolled. Parkinson’s mother currently serves as the library director. “I also knew that Ivy Tech would be an affordable place for me to complete two years of college while working toward my long-term goal of attending school somewhere out West.”

Parkinson was vice president of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and was awarded for her published piece in the campus literary magazine Mê Tis. She was awarded the Jeannie Heuer Liberal Arts Completion Scholarship and the Edward M. Speiss scholarship through Phi Theta Kappa. She also participated in the college’s alternative spring break trip to San Miguel Escobar, Guatemala in spring 2016.

“All of these experiences allowed me to build an impressive résumé that I would not have had otherwise,” she said. “Most of my classes were small, which meant that I was able to form relationships with my instructors, making it easier to push through tough courses.”

She says her alternative spring break experience in Guatemala and work with a fair trade cooperative cemented her decision to pursue global and international studies at a four-year college.

Parkinson’s impressive student résumé earned her admission to Indiana University, Ball State University, Hawaii Pacific University, University of California – Los Angeles, University of California – Berkeley, and Pomona College.

“I chose Pomona College because the campus and town made me feel most at home,” said Parkinson. “It was small, community-oriented, bike-friendly, but had all the excitement that I longed for—nearby hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains and close proximity to downtown LA. I also respected that the college strives for a diverse student body and ensures that anyone—no matter race, background, geographical location, or financial ability—can attend.”

Parkinson offered encouraging words for anyone considering Ivy Tech.

“If you’re worried about being alone, you won’t be at Ivy Tech,” she said. “Whether you are struggling academically, financially, or mentally, there is a department to help.”

She says that Ivy Tech Bloomington offers student support services including the tutoring center, supplemental instructors to assist with classroom assignments, the center for online writing support for proofreading papers, academic and financial advisors, financial aid, and counseling services. Additionally, she says the library offers computers, books, quiet study rooms and labs, and has experienced librarians to assist students with research projects.