Terre Haute, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute hosted its annual Nursing Networking Banquet on Tuesday, March 31, bringing together graduating nursing students and local healthcare providers for an evening focused on connection, mentorship, and career preparation.
The event provided students with the opportunity to build relationships with potential employers while strengthening their professional networking skills ahead of entering the workforce. Local healthcare organizations engaged directly with Ivy Tech nursing graduates while also exploring partnership opportunities to support future talent pipelines.
The evening featured keynote speaker Rachel Kelley, Chief Nursing Officer at Horizon Health. With more than 38 years of experience in healthcare, including over three decades in nursing, Kelley has dedicated her career to serving patients and families across the Wabash Valley. She shared insights from her leadership journey and offered guidance to graduates as they begin their careers in nursing.
“We are proud to provide opportunities like this banquet that allow our students to connect directly with healthcare leaders in our community,” said Kim Cooper, Dean of the School of Nursing at Ivy Tech Terre Haute. “Our goal is to ensure our graduates feel confident not only in their clinical skills, but also in their ability to build professional relationships that will support them throughout their careers.”
“It was an honor to speak with Ivy Tech nursing students and future nurses of our community,” Kelley said. “These students are stepping into a profession where their impact will be felt far beyond the bedside—in the lives of patients, families, and the entire Wabash Valley. Ivy Tech continues to prepare exceptional nurses who are ready to make a meaningful difference from day one.”
In addition to hearing from healthcare leaders, the students were recognized for their achievements in the program, including scholarships that helped remove financial barriers and stress, allowing them to focus on honing their skills. Collectively, the students earned nearly $22,000 in scholarship support.
Ivy Tech Terre Haute offers associate degrees and certificates in nursing that prepare students for in-demand careers across the region. For more information about Ivy Tech’s nursing program, visit ivytech.edu/nursing.
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.
