Jason Callahan has been elected to serve as chairman of the Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne Regional Board of Trustees, effective Jan. 1. Callahan has served on Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s board since 2018 and is currently the superintendent at Wabash City Schools.
“As the State of Indiana’s community college system, I see Ivy Tech to be a lead in ensuring that we create a legacy of opportunities for all students by providing affordable, relevant education to best prepare our students for success in the global community,” says Callahan. “The educational opportunities provided by Ivy Tech Fort Wayne will be instrumental in helping our individual students reach their fullest life potential and to help ensure northeast Indiana meets its workforce and economic development aspirations.”
Callahan was previously the principal at Wabash High School and Wabash Middle School. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Indiana State University and has his master’s degree from Ball State University. In 2015 and 2020, the Indiana Association of Public Schools Superintendents named him Superintendent of the Year. He also serves on the association’s executive committee and advisory committee. He is the president of the Upper Wabash Valley Superintendents’ Study Council and a member of the Dual Credit Advisory Council.
“Jason Callahan will be an excellent leader of the Ivy Tech Fort Wayne Regional Board of Trustees,” says Ivy Tech Fort Wayne chancellor Jerrilee Mosier. “More and more of our work is partnering with area school corporations in developing and streamlining career pathways. His experience as superintendent of Wabash City Schools will assist us in continuing and expanding this work throughout the 11 counties of northeast Indiana.”
Callahan replaces Dr. Robert Dettmer, who has been chairman since 2009 and will remain as a member of the board. Dettmer first joined the Ivy Tech Fort Wayne Regional Board of Trustees in 2007 and has been part of numerous projects during his time as board chair including fundraising and building The Steel Dynamics, Inc. Keith E. Busse Technology Center and Aviation Center at Smith Field. More recently, Dettmer has helped develop Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s partnership with the Chain O’ Lakes Correctional Facility, where inmates are given the chance to earn welding certifications while at the correctional facility.
“Bob Dettmer has been a phenomenal leader of the Ivy Tech Fort Wayne Regional Board of Trustees,” says Dr. Mosier. “He is also a strong advocate for the Fort Wayne campus. He has great insight and a passion for our mission. I am pleased that he will continue as a member of the Regional Board.”
“We’re looking forward to Jason’s fresh ideas and perspective as he leads the board,” says Dettmer. “He has a great energy and experience, and I think his appointment as chair will be good for Ivy Tech Fort Wayne.”
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