INDIANAPOLIS – Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis celebrated the achievements of approximately 950 graduates during its 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 1, at the Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to honor the hard work and accomplishments of students completing associate degrees, certificates, and technical certificates across a wide variety of programs. Graduates from the Indianapolis main campus, as well as instructional sites in the service area (Marion, Boone, and Hendricks counties), and online were recognized.
The ceremony featured remarks from Ivy Tech Indianapolis Chancellor Dr. Stacy Atkinson and Ivy Tech Community College President Dr. Sue Ellspermann, who also served as the keynote speaker. In a meaningful moment, Dr. Ellspermann received an honorary degree from the college, recognizing her nearly decade-long tenure as president. She will retire in June 2025 after leading the statewide system since 2016.
“Class of 2025, you’re ready. You’re ready to step into new careers, transfer to four-year institutions, launch businesses, or lead in your communities. And, you’re ready to do so with the confidence that you belong in every room you enter. You have earned it.”
– Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President, Ivy Tech Community College
Student speaker Luke Miller, a graduate of the Early Childhood Education program, addressed his fellow graduates with a message of perseverance, passion, and the importance of building strong communities through education and service. This is Miller’s second degree from Ivy Tech Indianapolis.
Across the 2024–25 academic year, Ivy Tech Indianapolis awarded a total of 4,459 credentials to (unduplicated) graduates. This included:
- 1,855 associate degrees
- 1,859 certificates (CTs)
- 2,424 technical certificates (TCs)
- 1,433 graduates with honors
- 562 TSAP (Transfer Single Articulation Pathway) degrees
- 238 associate degrees in nursing
- 62 practical nursing certificates (LPNs)
- 312 Achieve Your Degree (AYD) credentials, earned in partnership with area employers
- 948 first-generation college graduates
- 223 graduates who earned Ivy Tech dual credit while in high school
Graduates represented diverse career fields including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, business, information technology, and education.
“This event represents the resilience and determination of our students, many of whom have balanced their studies with jobs, family responsibilities, and other life challenges. We are so proud of every graduate who crossed the stage. They are ready to make meaningful contributions in Indiana’s workforce and beyond.”
– Dr. Stacy Atkinson, Ivy Tech Indianapolis Chancellor
Ivy Tech Indianapolis serves more than 31,000 students annually across Marion, Hendricks, and Boone counties, and remains committed to providing accessible, high-quality education and training that aligns with the needs of local communities and industries.
As part of the state’s largest public postsecondary system, Ivy Tech Community College awards nearly half of all credentials earned by Hoosiers from Indiana’s public colleges and universities—and the Indianapolis campus plays a leading role in driving those completions year after year.
For more information about Ivy Tech Indianapolis and upcoming enrollment opportunities, visit IvyTech.edu/Indy.
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.
