The Republic, Columbus, Indiana

New leader to raise Ivy Tech ’s profile
President-elect wants high school kids to be aware of school

By Chrissy Alspaugh calspaugh@therepublic.com
Published May 30, 2007


Ivy Tech Community College’s president-elect is eagerly raising awareness for the college.

Incoming President Thomas Snyder met with Ivy Tech officials and community leaders at the Columbus campus Tuesday as part of a statewide listening tour of regional sites.

Snyder, who begins July 1, said his initial focus in advancing the college system is awareness, outreach and technology.

Ivy Tech trustees chose Snyder, 62, of Anderson, to succeed 25-year veteran Gerald I. Lamkin as president of the more than 100,000-student, 23-campus college system in March. He has visited seven regions so far.

“I wanted to meet the regions, because I think it’s easier for faculty to ask the tough questions before I’ve started,” he said.

Snyder said he thinks Ivy Tech has “great stories” that aren’t being promoted nationally, or even statewide.

He said more students need to be made aware of the one- and two-year degree offerings available from Ivy Tech.

The stereotype, he said, is that tradesmen and factory workers are unsuccessful.

 “We want to go out and promote that those are very lucrative professions,” he said. “Anybody who’s ever had to have a skilled tradesman work on their car or work on their house recognizes that they make more than most everybody else.”

Snyder said one of the college’s hurdles will be to break the image that manufacturing is nearing its demise.

He said students not only need to realize the jobs are good but also that they require skills beyond high school.

Jesse Brand, member of Ivy Tech Community College’s state board of trustees, said high school counselors are the roadblock that will take the most work.

“They are the ones stuck in the rut that success is measured by the number of students who go to a four-year baccalaureate college program,” he said.

“If we can get them to accept that there are really good careers, attitudes might start to change.”

Snyder said he also is concerned about how to get more such students into the community college system.

The college’s strategic plan calls for a 50 percent increase in students in degree and certification programs by 2010.

Snyder called Ivy Tech the gateway to further education and said the key is outreach.

While abou07 t 500,000 students annually opt out of college, he said, today’s manufacturing jobs require computer, writing and team skills.

“Particularly in some of Columbus’ rural counties, the college-oriented environment is not embedded,” he said. “Ivy Tech has got to do outreach.”

Snyder said in considering what Ivy Tech must do to be competitive, technology was an obvious answer.

The system will have its first modern statewide information technology system beginning July 1.

The college has spent $30 million for a system that will allow the campuses to talk to one another and track students throughout their time with Ivy Tech.

Snyder said the college also must be as effective as possible in using its resources.

He said he recognizes budgetary pressure on the state will remain constant, and community colleges will have to find creative alternatives to grow.

“I’m a firm believer that we can compete,” he said. “As long as we have the right education, the right structure and a leading product.”