Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette hosted its annual Chancellor’s Breakfast today, welcoming high school administrators and guidance counselors from across its nine-county service area. The gathering served as a celebration of the strong partnerships between Ivy Tech and local schools, as well as a forward-looking conversation about how those collaborations are shaping the future workforce of Greater Lafayette.
The theme of the morning centered on “Game-changing Options for Indiana Students,” with presenters highlighting how access to dual credit, evolving diploma pathways, and career-focused programs are transforming educational outcomes.
Amanda Eberly, Executive Director of K-14 Recruiting and Transition, shared how Ivy Tech’s partnership with area high schools continues to expand opportunities for students. This year, more than 5,500 students are registered for dual credit courses, representing 35% of the region’s high school population. Eberly noted that this growth is supported by 100 new dual credit teachers.
“What’s most exciting is not just the number of students we serve, but what they are achieving,” Eberly said. Last year alone, high school students in the Lafayette service area completed 472 credentials through Ivy Tech. Among these were 18 associate degrees and 100 technical certificates, demonstrating that many students are leaving high school with meaningful, workforce-ready credentials already in hand.
Dr. Katie Lash, Vice President for K-14 and Strategic Initiatives, underscored the significance of these outcomes in her presentation on Indiana’s diploma pathways. In 2024-2025, Lafayette-area students collectively pursued 29 different degree paths through dual credit. They registered for more than 41,000 college credits—earning a 93% course success rate—and saved families an estimated $7 million in tuition costs.
This is more than numbers. These savings mean more families can plan for what comes next, and more students can dream bigger.
– Dr. Katie Lash, Vice President for K-14 and Strategic Initiatives, Ivy Tech Community College
The program also highlighted the importance of connecting students to high-demand careers emerging in the Greater Lafayette region. Julie Bowes, Executive Director of the Lilly Scholars Program, spoke about how Lilly Pathfinders and Lilly Scholars help guide students into meaningful pathways that lead to higher education and community engagement. With Lilly expanding its operations in Indiana—including major sites in Lebanon and Indianapolis—the need for a well-prepared talent pipeline has never been greater. Through Ivy Tech’s dual credit and career pathways, local students are positioned to step into those opportunities and become part of Indiana’s growing life sciences sector.
Dr. Andrew Gibbs, Dean of the Schools of Information Technology, outlined the rapid growth in data center and IT careers in Indiana. With approximately ten data centers being built across Indiana, the state is seeing a surge in demand for workers, with average salaries in these roles at $62,000 annually. Gibbs emphasized that several of Ivy Tech’s IT certificate courses are feasible to be offered through dual credit, meaning high school students can begin building the skills for these in-demand jobs before they even graduate high school.
Dr. David Ely, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Bryce Eaton, Dean of the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences, turned the spotlight to Indiana’s expanding semiconductor industry. They highlighted the $4 billion investment from SK hynix to build a semiconductor fabrication facility in West Lafayette, which will create hundreds of jobs and require a highly skilled workforce. Ivy Tech is preparing students to seize these opportunities through programs such as Electronics and Computer Technology, Industrial Automation and Robotics, Industrial Technical Maintenance – Electrical, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology, and the Indiana College Core.
Chancellor Dr. Aaron Baute closed the event by reaffirming the college’s role as both a partner to schools and an engine for regional economic growth.
This breakfast is about more than updates. It’s about coming together as partners to chart a future for our students. Whether they earn an associate degree before graduating high school, pursue a technical certificate that leads directly to a career, or transfer their Ivy Tech credits into a four-year university, our goal is the same: to create clear, accessible pathways to success.
– Dr. Aaron Baute, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette
The 2025 Chancellor’s Breakfast showcased how Ivy Tech Lafayette and its high school partners are not only preparing students for college but also laying the foundation for the workforce that will fuel the region’s future.
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.
