Ivy Tech Foundation Honors Distinguished Alumni and Benefactors

Ivy Tech Foundation has honored 37 Distinguished Alumni and Benefactors from across Indiana, recognizing high-achieving graduates and generous donors and supporters who help to elevate Ivy Tech Community College’s mission. Those recognized represent each of the College’s 19 campuses and include both people and organizations that have made Ivy Tech stronger.

Aaron Mishler and Jacqueline Barton, selected by the South Bend-Elkhart Campus, were named Distinguished Alumni and Benefactor of the year, respectively, for their work in the community

Jacqueline Barton founded Specialized Staffing in 2001 to make a difference in the staffing industry. Now serving Indiana and Michigan, Specialized Staffing continues to grow and innovate to meet the needs of an ever-changing workforce. Jacqueline and Specialized Staffing have been integral partners for the Ivy Tech-South Bend-Elkhart campuses. 

This partnership has introduced industry partners for collaborations on skills training with industry across the area, connections to jobs and careers for Ivy Tech students, and advocating for Ivy Tech in the community as a partner and collaborator.

After graduating High School, Aaron Decided to join the National Guard, while there he became a Medic which has led to a career in healthcare. After leaving the military, Aaron was unsure of what he wanted to do and ended up at Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart earning his associates of General Studies in 2016. At this point he and decided to combine his military credits with those from Ivy Tech and pursue an ASN from Ancilla College. While there he found he was 3 credits short of his ASN and was able to return to Ivy Tech to complete the necessary credits to graduate as a Nurse!

While working as a nurse, Aaron remained passionate about supporting disaster relief initiatives which has taken him to many places both domestic and abroad including Puerto Rico, Haiti, North Carolina, Liberia during the Ebola Outbreak, and Ukraine during war relief (amongst other responses). He now works as a public health nurse, setting up pop-up vaccine clinics, providing hearing screening, and lead testing for children, and working to make sure that people have access to care. He also serves as a City Councilperson for Elkhart and is the youngest by 15 years. In addition to this work, he served on the Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition Inc. board from 2021 – 2023. He is married to Kristen Smole and has two Children Naomi and Leo.

Aaron is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Purdue University in Public Health. He plans to begin working in disaster relief full time after graduation.

Selected through a highly competitive process, each recipient across Indiana has made a lasting impact on their community and on Ivy Tech by demonstrating outstanding professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments. Those selected were recognized on September 26 at a celebration in downtown Indianapolis.

“It truly is an honor for Ivy Tech to be associated with so many alumni, friends, and organizations that underscore the value of our mission,” said Ivy Tech President Dr. Marty Pollio. “Our honorees are making Indiana communities stronger through their leadership, skillsets, and generosity. We are proud to recognize these incredible recipients.”

Patrick Englert, chancellor of Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart, added: “Aaron and Jacqueline have made numerous contributions that have made our community and our College stronger. I could not be prouder of them, and I look forward to our collective work moving forward that makes our community even better.”

More than 4 of 5 Ivy Tech graduates stay in Indiana to pursue their careers, and Ivy Tech contributes nearly $4 billion annually to the state’s economy. Today, 86 percent of people who graduate from Ivy Tech do so without the burden of student debt.

For more information or to view a full list of the Distinguished Alumni honorees, visit www.ivytech.edu/alumniawards