Hannah Cooper, Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington graduate, was named a 2025 500 Festival Princess, a prestigious honor recognizing academically accomplished and community-oriented women across Indiana. Cooper earned her Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy and graduated this May.
Cooper’s journey to Ivy Tech wasn’t a direct path. After graduating high school in 2021, she attended four-year college for her freshman year but found it wasn’t the right fit. She took a semester off, completed a pharmacy technician apprenticeship, and worked full-time. Cooper decided that healthcare was the right path for her and discovered the radiation therapy program.
The radiation therapy program at Ivy Tech Bloomington is the only accredited two-year program of its kind in the state of Indiana, giving Cooper a quick start to her new career.
I chose Ivy Tech because it had the degree I wanted in only two years instead of four. Ivy Tech has given me an affordable education and many resources to help me work towards my goals.
– Hannah Cooper, Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington Graduate
Cooper is a four-time Ivy Tech scholarship recipient, receiving resources from generous donors to help pay college costs.
In addition to her academic success, Cooper’s selection as a 500 Festival Princess has allowed her to engage with communities across Indiana while serving as an ambassador for the 500 Festival, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the state of Indiana. The program provides leadership development opportunities and a $1,500 scholarship, helping to further her education.
“The last few months have been filled with volunteerism and community outreach,” Cooper said. “I’m excited to represent Ivy Tech and my community in a meaningful way.”
Cooper looks forward to a career as a radiation therapist.
“Hannah was a great student and will make a great radiation therapist,” Erin Sanders, Radiation Therapy Program Director, Ivy Tech Bloomington said.
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.
