Ivy Tech Muncie Honors Ivy Tech Leaders as 2025 Difference Makers

An Ivy Tech difference maker is an individual who creates positive change and makes a significant impact on the lives of Ivy Tech students, alumni, and the communities they serve. The 2025 Ivy Tech Difference Makers are:

• Jeannie Hamblin-Fox, Vice Chancellor for Completions and Site Administration

• Rebekah Ireland, Executive Director of K-18 Initiatives

• Kristin Keisling, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic Compliance

• Jennifer Skene, Vice Chancellor for Workforce Partnerships and Economic Impact

• Amber Young, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Campus Engagement

 

Jeannie Hamblin-Fox

“I was very humbled by the nomination. In my mind, I’m simply doing the work because it’s meaningful to me,” Hamblin-Fox said.

Hamblin-Fox serves as the Vice Chancellor for Completions and Site Administration for the Muncie Service Area. She recently celebrated her 26th anniversary with Ivy Tech, a milestone that reflects decades of student-centered leadership. Her work spans student records, recognition of student achievements and coordination of daily operations and partnerships at both sites. She said her commitment is rooted in her own experience as a first-generation college student whose life was changed by access to higher education.

She began her Ivy Tech career as a career counselor, helping undecided students explore their options and connect with job placement support. Those early years shaped the way she now approaches her work. She said she sees the same transformation in today’s students that she once experienced herself.

“I really enjoy working with students and seeing how education can change their lives, just like it changed mine,” she said.

Hamblin-Fox has watched students of every age build confidence, overcome self-doubt and reach goals they once viewed as out of reach. Whether it’s a recent high school graduate or an adult returning to school after years in the workforce, she said the pride they feel is unmistakable.

“You can see the pride they feel when they realize they can jump hurdles they once thought were impossible,” she said. 

Much of her work centers on the Ivy Tech Henry County campus, which she described as an essential resource for the community. The site offers a supportive, accessible starting point for students who benefit from a smaller environment.

“Henry County is a small community, and having an Ivy Tech site here makes a tremendous difference,” she said. “It gives students a comfort zone and a place to gain confidence.”

Hamblin-Fox and her team also work closely with local partners to meet emerging workforce needs. A recent example includes a collaboration with the local hospital to help employees complete nursing prerequisites through a more flexible, employer-supported model. She said opportunities like this strengthen the region while giving students a clear path into in-demand roles.

Her work is supported by what she describes as a small, highly committed team in Henry County and strong collaboration across the Muncie service area. She often sees colleagues step in without hesitation to resolve student needs quickly, no matter the task.

“Our team [in Henry County] is small, but we work incredibly well together,” she said. “Everyone steps in, no matter what the task is.”

Hamblin-Fox leads with a philosophy grounded in action. She believes in leading by example and working side by side with her team, whether that means supporting students, assisting faculty or ensuring campus operations run smoothly. She said she is inspired by colleagues who remain focused on one shared goal: helping students succeed.

“Leadership to me is leading by example,” she said. “I’m willing to step into the trenches and do the work right alongside the team.”

Looking ahead, she said she is proud of the caring culture that defines Ivy Tech Muncie. She believes the service area stands out because of its commitment to students and community members at every stage of their journey.

If she had to describe Ivy Tech Muncie in one word, Hamblin-Fox said it would be “caring.” “We care for our students and our communities.”

 

Rebekah Ireland

“It’s an honor, and I feel like I represent everyone who has poured into me and helped me grow in this role,” Ireland said.

Ireland serves as the Executive Director of K–18 Initiatives and is completing her fifth year in the position. After 26 years as a high school teacher, she brings a deep understanding of students and a passion for helping young people discover pathways they may not have known existed. She said she still feels like a teacher at heart, even as her work now stretches across regional high schools, career centers and workforce partners.

Ireland leads Ivy Tech’s dual credit and dual enrollment efforts in Delaware, Henry and Jay counties alongside team members Adrienne Smith and Khalid Reichard. Their work helps high school students earn credentials, explore career fields and build confidence long before graduation. She said one of the moments that shaped her approach was hearing a student say, “I never thought I could go to college.” That comment reminded her how transformational early exposure to higher education can be. 

“Education provides strength to our communities,” she said. “It opens doors students didn’t know existed.”

Her team collaborates closely with the Muncie and New Castle career centers, aligning Ivy Tech programs with workforce needs so students can move from training directly into employment. She said the impact is clear.

“Our work with the career centers is the correct pipeline into employment,” she said. “Students are getting jobs because of the training they receive at Ivy Tech.”

Ireland often sees firsthand how education shapes families. She shared the example of a first-generation student who earned an Ivy Tech associate degree before graduating high school. 

“We see first-generation students earning degrees before they graduate high school,” she said. “That’s transformational for families and communities.”

Her leadership style reflects the way she has been supported throughout her career. Ireland believes in empowering her team, offering freedom with clear expectations and helping people build confidence in their own abilities.

“The way I am led makes me believe in myself,” she said. “That’s how I want to lead my own team.”

Ireland said she is grateful for her team’s dedication and for the campus wide support that makes student success possible.

“My team inspires me,” she said. “They will do anything to help a student.” 

She views Ivy Tech Muncie as a campus that challenges one another while always coming together for the right reasons.

Looking ahead, she is optimistic about new programs, stronger workforce connections and expanding opportunities for young people in the region. Whether a student is pursuing a certificate, exploring careers or earning an associate degree while in high school, Ireland said the goal remains the same: helping them see their own potential and giving them the tools to pursue it.

If she had to describe Ivy Tech Muncie in one word, Ireland said it would be “family.” “We challenge each other,” she said, “but we always come together for the right reasons.”

 

Kristin Keisling

“It’s really an honor, especially being in a behind-the-scenes role,” Keisling said. “What my team does is vital to how Ivy Tech operates, even if it isn’t visible to the public.”

Keisling is approaching her 20th year with Ivy Tech Muncie, where she serves as Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic Compliance. Her work guides the systems, agreements, and resources that allow the campus to operate smoothly. She oversees financial oversight, grant compliance, statewide initiatives, and the infrastructure that keeps programs running. Although the role is largely unseen, she said recognition feels meaningful because it affirms the impact of the work her team does every day.

Keisling was mentored by her predecessor and credits that support with shaping her career. She said the constant change that comes with her role keeps her challenged and motivated.

“No two days are ever the same,” she said. “The pace and the problem-solving are part of what I love about this work.”

She believes Ivy Tech’s greatest impact is its ability to give students hope and a pathway to the future they want. Keisling said student success requires academic, emotional, and financial support, along with resources that address basic needs. Her department works behind the scenes to make those supports possible.

“We make a difference by giving our students hope,” she said. “Education is the path to the life they’ve always dreamed of.”

One of the achievements she is most proud of is the campus’s work with K–12 partners. This past year, 576 high school students earned credentials through Ivy Tech, saving families money while helping students begin careers earlier. She said dual credit and dual enrollment programs strengthen communities and illustrate the far-reaching impact of early-college access. 

Her team is known for tackling complex challenges and communicating with transparency and trust. Keisling said they operate with a shared commitment to positive intent, which shapes their workplace culture.

“We really live in the world we create together,” she said. “Assuming positive intent is everything.”

Her leadership philosophy centers on listening, collaboration and kindness. She focuses on identifying root problems rather than quick fixes and encourages cross-campus partnerships to strengthen outcomes.

“Leadership is about listening,” she said. “We need each other’s strengths for anything to succeed. Kindness costs nothing, and we need more of it.”

This year brought a difficult budgeting landscape, but Keisling said the campus united to navigate the challenges. Ivy Tech Muncie met all financial metrics, increased carryforward by more than 3 percent and maintained clean audits.

If she had to choose one word to describe Ivy Tech Muncie, Keisling said it would be “together.” “We’re all in this together,” she said.

 

Jennifer Skene

“It’s very humbling. So many people at Ivy Tech make a difference every day, and to be included among them means a great deal,” Skene said.

Skene serves as Vice Chancellor for Workforce Partnerships and Economic Impact for Ivy Tech Muncie and leads Ivy Tech’s statewide Achieve Your Degree program. Her work centers on connecting students to career opportunities, supporting employers and helping residents gain the skills needed to build strong, stable futures. She sees her role as guiding people at every stage of their career journey, whether they are entering the workforce for the first time, advancing in their field, or seeking a fresh start.

Skene began her Ivy Tech career as an adjunct instructor while pursuing her master’s degree. She said teaching never felt like a job but a calling. That experience led her to apply for a full-time role, where she transitioned into workforce partnerships and discovered how much she enjoyed helping both students and employers navigate changing industry needs.

“I don’t feel like I’m going to work every day. No two days are the same, and I get to help someone every single day,” she said.

She believes education is one of the most powerful tools for shaping a person’s future. Skene often reminds students that their current circumstances don’t define what comes next and that completing a credential gives them control over where they want to go.

“Education is the one thing no one can take from you,” she said.

Partnerships across the region play a major role in her work. Skene is especially proud of the Work Matters initiative, which launched during the pandemic to help employers address staffing shortages while supporting justice-involved individuals with second-chance employment and education. She said that bringing employers together during a challenging time demonstrated how collaboration can transform lives and strengthen communities. 

“It’s inspiring to watch people gain the skills that raise their wages and give them more stability. Being that bridge is meaningful work.”

Skene leads teams that support workforce development, employer engagement, student advancement, career readiness, and marketing. She describes her colleagues as innovative and mission-driven.

“My team sees the bigger purpose behind what they do,” she said. “We have fun, we collaborate, and we share our story in creative ways. That energy inspires me every day.”

Her leadership philosophy centers on empowerment. She focuses on giving people the tools they need and clearing barriers when they arise. 

“I’ll always step in to open doors, but I want my team to feel empowered to run with their ideas,” she said.

Looking ahead, Skene is energized by the economic growth underway in the region. She said new industries and job opportunities arriving in Muncie, Henry County and Jay County will create expanded pathways for Ivy Tech students. 

“Ivy Tech is the workforce engine for our region,” she said. “Our students are entering the workforce now, not years from now, so we have to prepare them for what’s coming.”

If asked to describe Ivy Tech Muncie in one word, Skene chooses “impactful.” “Every day we make an impact on students, our workforce and our community,” she said.

 

Amber Young

“My work is mostly behind the scenes, so being recognized feels humbling. I’m grateful people see it as making a difference,” Young said.

Young serves as Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Campus Engagement. Her work focuses on supporting employees, resolving issues early, and helping the campus operate smoothly. She views her role as equipping the people who directly support students and believes that when employees feel valued and prepared, it strengthens the student experience.

Young grew up in Muncie and has a personal connection to Ivy Tech’s mission. Her husband, Kris Young, completed prerequisite coursework at Ivy Tech before entering a nursing program, a period she described as financially and emotionally challenging.

“I’ve always been drawn to places that change lives,” she said. “Ivy Tech did that for my own family, and it made me want to be part of this mission.”

She is especially proud of the college’s partnerships with local schools, which give high school students early exposure to college-level work. Young said these opportunities help students build confidence, discover new paths, and feel prepared for their future. She also highlights the campus’s strong culture of care.

“No one here would walk past a student in need,” she said. “The commitment to students runs from every office all the way up to the chancellor.”

Young believes service is at the heart of leadership. Even from a behind-the-scenes role, she has supported students during moments of crisis by listening, connecting them to resources, and ensuring they feel seen.

“If I had to describe our campus in one word, it would be innovative,” she said. “We take challenges head-on, try new ideas, and keep moving forward.”

"These Difference Makers exemplify the heart of Ivy Tech Muncie. Each day, they go above and beyond to empower students, strengthen our workforce, and uplift our communities. Their dedication, creativity, and compassion inspire all of us and remind us why our mission and purpose matters,” Jeffrey D. Scott, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Muncie said.

View the 2025 Difference Makers video: https://youtu.be/Zd-DlgTOzXw                

To learn more about Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County, visit online at ivytech.edu/muncie.