At the third annual Victory College Prep (VCP) High Flyer Awards Luncheon on May 8, Ivy Tech Indianapolis was honored as the 2026 Community Partner of the Year award winner.
VCP only gives out four such awards each year, for internship partner, community partner, donor, and board member of the year. A committee of board members and academic leaders reviews five to seven candidates per category. They look at student data, feedback from the school community, and how long a partner has been showing up. Then they pick the one who made the biggest difference.
For Ivy Tech, the numbers made the case.
Over the last two years, VCP students have earned the Indiana College Core (ICC) at a rate nearly ten times higher than the statewide average. And here’s what really matters: 95% of VCP students live at or below the poverty line, and 90% come from historically marginalized minority groups.
"We don't do this work for awards, but this one feels different. It means our K-14 partnership is changing lives, and the data backs that up. I couldn't be prouder of what our teams at Ivy Tech and VCP have accomplished together,” Dr. Andrew Buckle, executive director of K-14 at Ivy Tech Indianapolis, said.
The VCP network serves about 1,300 K-12 students from two campuses in Southeast Indianapolis. U.S. News ranked it among the top 10 charter networks in Indiana in 2026. It’s also been recognized by the state for its College Bound Cash program, where students earn cash for As and Bs in dual-credit courses.
Ivy Tech Indy was proud to have 36 VCP seniors walk in the Class of 2026 Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Apr. 30. Four of whom received their associate degrees, and already have two years of a bachelor’s degree finished.
Relive the Magic of Commencement: Dive into the full recap—including the official highlight video, photo galleries, and graduate stories that'll make your day.
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.
