Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis celebrated the achievements of approximately 950 graduates during its 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, April 30, 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 Interim Chancellor Dr. Chad Bolser and Ivy Tech Community College President Dr. Marty Pollio, and Indianapolis Fire Chief Ernest Malone, who also served as the keynote speaker. In a meaningful moment, Chief Malone received an honorary degree from the college, recognizing all that he has contributed to the Indianapolis community and Ivy Tech over the last four decades, beginning in 1986. Chief Malone has remained deeply connected to the community and to Ivy Tech, helping support and guide the next generation of public safety professionals.
In his address to the graduates, Chief Malone shared an empowering message focusing on four key lessons:
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Start before you feel ready.
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Let your character earn your reputation.
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Do not underestimate the value of the people beside you.
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When life tests you, stay in the fight.
My own educational path has not been a straight line. – But I’m proud to say, it includes Ivy Tech, where I earned my associate degree in Fire Science. During my more than four decades in public service, one lesson has stayed with me: learning does not stop when school ends. In many ways, that is when it really begins. And if your path is not a straight line either, that is not failure. Often, that is growth.
– Chief Ernest Malone, Indianapolis Fire Department
Student speaker Amira Ali is a graduate of the General Studies program at just 19 years old. A first-generation college student originally from New York, she completed high school early as a junior before continuing her academic journey at Ivy Tech. She addressed her fellow graduates with a message of perseverance, growth, and taking advantage of all of the wrap-around support services provided.
Along the way, I also learned that growth is not always about doing more. Sometimes it is about knowing when to step back, reflect, and choose what truly fits who you are. That is part of success. And, success is not meant to be achieved alone.
– Amira Ali, 2026 Graduate Speaker
Across the 2025–26 academic year, Ivy Tech Indianapolis awarded a total of 4,804 credentials to (unduplicated) graduates. They represented diverse career fields, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, business, information technology, and education.
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Total credentials earned: 6,271
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Associate Degrees: 1,882
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Certificates: 4,389
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Associate of Science in Nursing and LPN: 264
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Achieve Your Degree (AYD): 30 associate degrees, 41 technical certificates, 38 certificates
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Accelerated Associate Degree (ASAP): 12 associate degrees, 17 technical certificates, 3 certificates
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Youngest graduate: 15 years old
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Oldest graduate: 76 years old
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First-Gen graduates: 2,094
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Graduates with Honors: 1,864
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Number of early college high school credentials earned: 871
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School with the largest number of graduating students: School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Science (SAMEAS) with 1,531
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Program with the largest number of graduating students: Apprentice - Building trades with 1002, Indiana College Core with 571
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Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) students - 36
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) - Thirty-six students from Arsenal Technical High School, Crispus Attucks High School, and George Washington High School walked across the graduation stage at Ivy Tech Community College weeks before receiving their high school diplomas. This major milestone underscores a major shift in how the state’s largest school district is preparing students for life after high school. The moment marks the first cohort of IPS students to reach this level of completion through the district’s expanded dual-credit and early college programming with Ivy Tech.
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. Chad Bolser, interim chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis
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.
